“Counterrevolution is impossible”

Ukraine recently played host to Kabanychbek ISABEKOV, the deputy speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh, the parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, who arrived on a working visit. His main objective was to study Ukraine’s experience in combating illegal migration and human trafficking.

He was also interested in learning about Ukraine’s constitutional reform. After the Tulip Revolution and the toppling of Askar Akayev’s regime last year, Kyrgyzstan decided to change its constitution. There are three drafts ready. In September the Kyrgyz president will submit one of these drafts to parliament. Some experts believe that political reform in Kyrgyzstan will be postponed until 2009. Thus, the Kyrgyz leader, who can hardly be suspected of being interested in curbing his powers, may refer to Ukraine’s bitter experience.

Recent events at the Verkhovna Rada have shown that with time the number of people disillusioned in constitutional changes will increase not just in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Kyrgyz politician diplomatically sidestepped sensitive topics and tried to refrain from commenting on the situation in Ukraine. Kabanychbek Isabekov enthusiastically talked about the common roots of our states, about the great prospects for his country, although he did complain about the lack of cultural and professional exchanges. “We are closely following what is happening in Ukraine and we care about your future,” the deputy speaker pointed out good-humoredly.

What is the purpose of your visit?

K.I.: First of all, it is to establish interparliamentary contacts. Second, we would like to develop our relationships in all spheres. We have great prospects in the sphere of trade and economics. Last year our commodity turnover was over 40 million dollars. Even though our countries are separated by great distances, we must not forget that we have much in common. Kyrgyzstan (with a population of 5 million) also has a Ukrainian Diaspora. Last year a Ukrainian school opened in Bishkek.

We rejoice in Ukraine’s achievements, particularly in political reform. We were pleased to learn that the number of criminal cases being solved is increasing. Until recently I was chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Migration and I am still interested in this issue, so I wanted to learn about Ukraine’s experiences in this sphere. No single country can cope with illegal migration and human trafficking single-handedly.

Have you experienced any difficulties establishing interparliamentary contacts, in view of the crisis at the Verkhovna Rada?

K.I.: I regret to say that I have. Nevertheless, I did meet with Hennadiy Udovenko and Rafat Chubarov. Of course, I wish I had met the members of your parliamentary leadership, as required by protocol, but I had no opportunity to do so during my visit. I think the parliamentary crisis will be settled in Ukraine by lawful means and that before long we will be solving problems on the highest national level.

Aren’t the Kyrgyz politicians who are campaigning for political reform alarmed by the goings-on in Ukraine after the elections?

K.I.: No, they aren’t. I think that these problems are temporary. I hope that we will soon step up cooperation between our two countries. Of course, we would like to exchange legislative experience. There are Kyrgyz laws in which Ukrainian parliamentarians are interested (like the one on external labor migration). At the same time, we are interested in the Ukrainian citizenship law. It is the most progressive one among CIS countries. We are finishing drafting a citizenship bill and we are faced with constitutional reform. To this end we would also like to study the Ukrainian experience.

There are other important issues. We will applaud Ukraine’s admission to the WTO, but we also hope that Ukraine will duly consider payments on account of its debt to Kyrgyzstan. Friendship is wonderful, but business comes first. Your ministry proposes to settle such matters by the business entities concerned, but this debt dates back to Soviet times, when the government issued its guarantees. We propose parallel negotiations between the finance ministries. Now we must settle the issue of debt payments.

Is this issue likely to be resolved before the fall, when Ukraine plans to join the WTO?

K.I.: We propose parallel negotiations. For some reason the Ukrainian side is taking its time settling this issue. Recently, we received a response from Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance. Unfortunately, Ukraine is avoiding a solution to this problem, and postponing it later and later. If the task force starts discussing Ukraine’s WTO membership, Kyrgyzstan will be prepared to broach the subject.

Kyrgyzstan has three drafts of the constitution. What is the situation with political reform in your country?

K.I.: Last month our president met with all the members of the cabinet and the judicial branch in parliament. The president formally stated that he would submit a draft constitution to parliament in September. We won’t have a referendum. We will adopt the most acceptable variant. Constitutional reform is needed now. Before, all power was in the president’s hands. Now we are going to delimit the responsibilities vested in the branches of power. We will give more power to the government. Expanding governmental jurisdiction envisages all three constitutional drafts.

We are also planning to grant more power to local authorities. Next year we won’t have all those district budgets. Organs of self-ruled that were elected by the people and are in direct contact with the populace will be granted broader powers. We also propose to delete the clause banning dual citizenship in a draft constitution. Almost half a million Kyrgyz are working in Russia. If we let them have Kyrgyz and Russian citizenship, we will solve certain problems.

How strong is the president’s power in your country today? Is there any chance of the opposition playing a stronger role?

K.I.: About 20 out of 75 members of our parliament are in the opposition. This is a normal phenomenon. Without criticism, without an opposition, no economic and political progress is possible in any country.

Does the disillusionment in revolutionary changes pose any threat to the Kyrgyz government? Is there a possibility of a counterrevolution?

K.I.: A certain part of the population is disillusioned. During the year a slight decline in public moods has been recorded. Before, our society was overpoliticized. A shepherd in any village could discuss politics. The people were waiting for cardinal changes. Needless to say, it was difficult to introduce many important changes during such a short period. In our view, the main problem lies in the economy: creating jobs. As for “counterrevolution,” as you put it, this is impossible. The government is doing its best to help the residents of Kyrgyzstan prosper. But this takes time, patience, and dedicated effort.