BISHKEK (TCA) — The subbotnik (community work day) held on March 12 in the Botanical Gardens in Bishkek served as a platform for the President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev to express his opinion on many hot issues discussed in the country.
The event was also attended by Prime Minister Temir Sariyev, Parliament Speaker Asylbek Jeenbekov, leaders of parliamentary factions, staff of the Presidential and Governmental offices and the Bishkek Municipality. After the planting of tree seedlings Atambayev answered reporters’ questions.
Economy and EEU
Kyrgyzstan’s economy is the most stable in the region, Atambayev said. The country is experiencing the current difficult times much better than its neighbors. As an argument the President spoke about stability of the national currency, the som.
The President commented on the population’s discontent with Kyrgyzstan’s entry into the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), because some people believe it was the cause of the current crisis. If Kyrgyzstan had not joined the EEU, the country would be economically blocked. Therefore, joining the EEU was the right decision. It is important now not to succumb to provocations. Some people want revolutions at least once every five years in Kyrgyzstan, he added. “Someone died and someone made money during revolutions,” local media cited the President as saying.
The country will overcome the difficult period and GDP will grow by 5% by the end of the year, Atambayev believes.
According to the President, Russia has allocated $30 million that will be used to cover the budget deficit and to complete construction of housing for law-enforcement officers fighting terrorism and guarding borders.
Statistics for January and February is not inspiring but a 10% GDP drop was due to the fact that the industrial sector is dependent on the Kumtor gold mine which reduced its production significantly last year. Kumtor will increase its production, and the economic situation will be quite different, said the President.
Appointments
Atambayev also commented on the recent appointments to state posts.
The public was surprised on March 10 when Atambayev’s former bodyguard Ulan Israilov was appointed Director of Anti-corruption Service of the National Security Committee. Israilov is not the first person from Atambayev’s entourage who has taken a high position. Previously, Atambayev’s former driver Ikramjan Ilmiyanov became an adviser to the president.
Criticism about the personnel policy is a result of envy and gossips, the President said. He recalled that he personally worked as a janitor, stoker, and irrigator when he was young.
“I know Israilov very well; he is honest and will not steal. He has worked in many positions in the Interior Ministry, and I trust him,” the President said. The state is now reforming law enforcement agencies, which should not interfere in business, the President said, adding that he aims at rooting out corruption in law enforcement agencies.
On the successor
If the President prepares a successor and asks the people to elect him, then there will be no democracy in Kyrgyzstan, Atambayev believes. People themselves should choose the next head of state.
The road to democracy has been blocked in countries where successors were appointed. Atambayev said that there are certain forces trying to destabilize the situation in the country, and it is necessary to be ready for that.
Atambayev said his task is to ensure in cooperation with the Government, deputies and the Central Election Commission that the next presidential elections be not worse and more transparent than the parliamentary election held in October 2015.
Constitution
The Constitution will be changed only if the Parliament sees the need in it and the people support the Parliament, Atambayev said.
The President is afraid that people would say that he changes the Constitution for himself. But, on the other hand, if all of a sudden “time bombs” planted in the Constitution explode, people will say the President knew about flaws in the Constitution and did not do anything, Atambayev explained.
In his words, even the Russian text does not match the Kyrgyz one in the current Constitution, not to mention more vital issues. There is a conflict between the powers of the President and Prime Minister, which may lead to conflicts in the future. Also, judges can decide whether to put their colleagues on trial or not. Before Atambayev became President, no judges had been convicted and now almost every month judges’ cases are heard in courts. But the President is concerned about the future when he hands over his authority.
Atambayev believes that some changes to the Constitution are necessary, to prevent the country sliding back to the clan system.
Atambayev said that in the future he is not going to be either the Speaker or Prime Minister or President. He stressed that before the end of his presidency in one year and nine months, he has to develop a roadmap for the country’s sustainable development.
