Ambassador Spratlen's Interview to Radio Azattyk

May 31, 2011

Azattyk:  For the past ten years the U.S. interest in Kyrgyzstan has dwindled.  There is a widespread opinion that the U.S. has to maintain relations with Kyrgyzstan just because of the Transit Center at Manas Airport.  How do you evaluate, assess current U.S.-Kyrgyz relations?  What level are they at? 

Ambassador Pamela L. Spratlen:  Thank you very much for your question. 

The first thing I'd like to say is that the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic have had a very long and mutually beneficial relationship that dates back to the beginning of sovereignty and independence of the Kyrgyz Republic. 

I would say that the bilateral relationship between the Kyrgyz Republic and the United States is a good relationship that has steadily developed along the lines of our interest in the country's democratic development and political reform, economic development, security and stability, and building the basis of friendship between our two peoples. 

I would say that the United States of course has been extremely grateful for the role the government of the Kyrgyz Republic has played in its support as host of the Transit Center at Manas International Airport and international efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. 

At the same time as partners we're very interested in the long-term stability and prosperity of the Kyrgyz Republic and in that context we have for many years provided technical assistance for the development, to help the country develop.   

Based on our shared values the United States has been a reliable partner of the Kyrgyz Republic and we have provided considerable assistance.  For example, just in the last year, since April of 2010, we have provided over $120 million in assistance in a wide variety of areas. 

The United States as a partner of the Kyrgyz Republic will seek further opportunities to coordinate with the government of the Kyrgyz Republic and to support the various efforts to develop the country. 

The last thing I'll say is that the United States has followed with considerable interest the very dramatic and interesting developments of the last year and we are very supportive of the efforts of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop its democracy. 

Azattyk:  We know that the U.S. has been providing Kyrgyzstan a lot of assistance, but at the same time such countries as Georgia, Baltic States that embarked upon a democratic path have been receiving a lot of support from the U.S., from the West.  They have been receiving political support as well.  However, it seems like Kyrgyzstan, has been receiving assistance just for allowing the U.S. to have the Transit Center at Manas. What is the reason? 

Ambassador Pamela L. Spratlen:  What I would say is the United States develops its relationship with each country based on the unique circumstances of that country.  The embassy's here and I am here to develop the bilateral relationship across the full spectrum of issues -- political, economic, security, cultural and educational. 

The Kyrgyz Republic has embarked on a unique journey of parliamentary democracy and the United States has followed that very very closely with great interest, as I mentioned.  So we are interested in developing our relationship with the Kyrgyz Republic because of the nature of its society and the longstanding bonds of friendship that we have. 

I would note that President Otunbayeva has visited the United States twice in the last year and each time has met with President Obama.  She has also met with the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and won the International Women of Courage Award.  But beyond that, we have tried very hard, and I think successfully, to create bonds of friendship across a wide spectrum of Kyrgyz society and have had exchanges with many many different kinds of people. 

Students, for example, at the high school and college and graduate school level have traveled to the United States to study.  Many people have received training on how to become entrepreneurs here in the Kyrgyz Republic and have sometimes gone to the United States.  Just on Friday I was at a press conference with the Deputy Minister of Health and there we were announcing a very successful conclusion of a program of cooperation between the United States, the Russian Federation and the Kyrgyz Republic along with the UN and the World Health Organization to fight polio here in the Kyrgyz Republic. 

I only give you all of these examples to just note that our cooperation is broad, it is wide, it is deep, and it will continue. 

Azattyk:  Recently Kyrgyzstan switched to a parliamentary form of government and as a result it has drawn a lot of criticism from other states. Some argue that only strong presidency could help Kyrgyzstan overcome the current crisis. What do you think of it? 

Ambassador Pamela L. Spratlen:  I would first say that, as I mentioned, the Kyrgyz Republic is a unique country that is embarked on a very bold experiment of political transformation.  I would say that with only less than a year, it's very very difficult to say what the future will be, but there are some very good early signs. 

Citizens voted on a new constitution last June and held successful parliamentary elections in October.  As this system develops and solidifies, it should be able to provide good representation for a wide spectrum of people in the parliament. It can provide many different points of view and political competition for various groups.  That should provide better accountability for the citizens, for the government. 

The Kyrgyz Republic has already had two very strong presidents.  I will leave it to historians and political scientists to discuss the impact of those two presidencies on the people and on the government. 

Azattyk:  Recently parliament passed a decision regarding the Kyrgyzstan Inquiry Commission Report, and previously you have made a statement regarding that Report.  My question is whether as a result, relations between Kyrgyzstan and the West will deteriorate or not. 

Ambassador Pamela L. Spratlen:  What I would say is that the events of last June were very very tragic, and after that the United States and the international community, many members, felt it was very important to establish the facts.  So we applauded the decision of the government to decide to have an independent commission and to cooperate with it fully. 

The commission had a four-part mandate.  I think the members of the commission who were very serious people tried very hard to fulfill that mandate.  So I'm aware that there are other efforts to fill in the picture even more fully and I think the United States is interested in and hopeful that all parties in the Kyrgyz Republic will continue to try to not only search for the facts but to support all of those people who in good faith try to assist the Kyrgyz Republic in establishing the facts. 

It's very very important to establish the facts, and then also to be sure that those people, the idea is that the country needs peace and reconciliation.  I think the United States and other members of the international community will continue to be supportive of efforts to support establishing the facts, bringing those who are guilty to justice, and helping the country to reestablish peace and reconciliation. 

In order to establish an opinion about a report it's important to read it and to take those parts of it that are constructive and that includes recommendations that help the country move forward.  The reaction to Mr. Kiljunen is surprising but of course I think the main thing is that the United States is interested in helping the Kyrgyz Republic, and I think the West will continue to help the Kyrgyz Republic in those efforts that are directed towards establishing the facts and building peace and reconciliation. 

Azattyk:  Recently the former Kyrgyz Ambassador to the U.S. noted that it would be good to increase, to pay attention towards the youth, towards educating youth.  She said that currently there are only about 200 scholarships, and it would be good to increase their number to 1,000 - 1,500. What do you think of it? 

Ambassador Pamela L. Spratlen:  First of all I would like to say that the United States has been as strong supporter of education from the very beginning.  We have provided sustained support, as I mentioned, at the high school level, the college level, and the graduate level, because we believe that education is so important to the future of the country.  The United States will continue to provide support.  I can't say anything specific about the numbers in the former ambassador's question, but I will say as a general policy matter the United States strongly supports education and will continue to be a partner of the Kyrgyz Republic in this effort. 

Azattyk:  Thank you very much Madame Ambassador.  We thank you for taking your time and answering our questions.