Published: October 12, 2005
Rice Praises Kyrgyz Reform Efforts, Cooperation Against Terrorism
By Jeffrey Thomas, Washington File 
Secretary talks with Kyrgyz officials, holds television, radio interviews
The United States and Kyrgyzstan have reached an understanding on issues ranging from coalition use of Manas Airbase to Kyrgyzstan's democratization, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced after their talks October 11 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
"We have achieved a full understanding in regards to every matter," said Bakiyev in a joint press conference.
Bakiyev and Rice issued a joint expression of support for the presence of coalition forces in the Kyrgyz Republic "until the mission of fighting terrorism in Afghanistan is completed."
In the joint statement, Kyrgyzstan also stated its intention "to continue its orientation toward strengthening democratic principles and carrying out a decisive battle against corruption in order to create the necessary conditions for sustainable development." (See related article.)
Rice arrived in Kyrgyzstan October 11 on the first stop of a Central Asian tour that is scheduled to include Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
She noted that Kyrgyzstan's presidential elections in July were "by all accounts, the freest and fairest that took place ever in this region." Rice added that she discussed with Bakiyev how the United States can assist the government's political and economic reform efforts, including the development of more small- and medium-sized businesses.
They also discussed the countries' "excellent cooperation" in the war on terrorism, Rice said.
In a joint interview with Radio Liberty and the BBC Kyrgyz Service, she said the United States "has made very clear that we are not seeking a permanent set of bases in Central Asia. We are operating here to support the war on terrorism, which is important to us and important to the region because the terrorists threaten both of us."
Rice praised Kyrgyzstan for offering temporary refuge to Uzbek asylum seekers after the May massacre at Andijan, Uzbekistan. "Countries that fulfill their international responsibilities are the ones that the international system respects and ultimately rewards," she said.
She added that the United States wants Kyrgyzstan to have good relations with all of its neighbors, including Russia and China.
When she addressed coalition forces at Manas Airbase, Rice said that the United States has "strong allies in this fight" against terrorism and thanked Spanish and French soldiers at the based for their support in "a fight of free peoples who have been fortunate enough to live on the right side of history, in defense of those values and in the defense of bringing those values to those who have not been fortunate enough to live in freedom."
In remarks at a meeting with government and parliament officials and representatives of civic organizations, Rice urged Kyrgyzstan's Constitutional Council "to complete the [constitutional] reform process by the end of 2005, forming a new constitution in open partnership with Parliament and the full range of society."
Rice lauded both President Bakiyev and Prime Minister Feliks Kulov for their work on political and economic reform and fighting corruption.
"I came here to Kyrgyzstan so that you might know whether in government or in civil society, that you will have a steady friend in the United States, who believes too in democratic values, and that as those democratic values take root here in Kyrgyzstan relations between the United States and Kyrgyzstan will only grow," she said.
Rice told Kyrgyz National TV in an interview that "the constitutional reform that is about to take place is extremely important. Fighting corruption is very important, and economic reform -- so that the Kyrgyz people can have a better way of life -- is also critical, and the United States will try to be a partner for Kyrgyzstan in all of those aspects."
Asked about potential investment in Kyrgyzstan by U.S. businesses, Rice said, "the real issue is what kind of investment climate can Kyrgyzstan establish so that businesses will want to come here" and cited the need to eliminate corruption and strengthen the rule of law.
With its educated population and good infrastructure, "I am quite sure that Kyrgyzstan could be a very popular place to do business" if it undertakes economic reform and works to become better integrated into the international economic system, she said.
Transcripts of Rice's interview with Kyrgyz National TV and her joint radio interview with Radio Liberty and the BBC Kyrgyz Service are available on the State Department Web site.
Transcripts of her remarks to coalition troops at Manas Airbase, her joint press conference with Bakiyev, and her remarks on democracy, constitutional and economic reform at the meeting with government and civic officials also are available on the State Department Web site
Source: U.S. Department of State
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