[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 28, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S4149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   KYRGYZSTAN'S DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, this is a critical moment for Kyrgyzstan's 
democratic transition.
  On June 27, 2010, the people of Kyrgyzstan took to the polls to adopt 
a new constitution for their country. The vote sent a powerful message 
to the region and to the world: that democracy is an idea whose appeal 
transcends ethnic divides.
  Kyrgyzstan's President, Roza Otunbayeva, deserves enormous credit for 
orchestrating the transition to democratic rule after the deadly 
interethnic clashes of last summer.
  Since that tumultuous period, President Otunbayeva has overseen the 
first free and truly democratic parliamentary elections in central 
Asia. She has made it a priority to strengthen the rule of law, and she 
has moved to create a government that is increasingly responsive to the 
needs of all its citizens, regardless of ethnicity.
  Kyrgyzstan today stands at a crossroads. Its people have expressed 
the desire to live in an open, free, and just society. Over the past 
year, we have witnessed some progress toward that goal, with credible 
parliamentary elections in October, the formation of a government in 
December, and a more vibrant media and political debate.
  But let's be clear: Kyrgyzstan's democratic experiment faces 
considerable challenges.
  Three, in particular, threaten the aspirations that powered last 
year's historic vote.
  First, Kyrgyzstan's coalition government is beset by infighting. The 
task of rebuilding the country after the turmoil of the past year is 
daunting. But the challenges should also inspire a sense of common 
purpose. Upcoming Presidential elections in the fall present an 
opportune moment for Kyrgyzstan's leadership to articulate a political 
compact that unites the diverse elements of its society.
  Second, the country's fractious political environment has impeded 
efforts to combat organized crime and corruption. Rampant crime has 
heightened the sense of insecurity among citizens, created an 
unfavorable climate for business, and slowed economic growth. To the 
government's credit, over 90 members of organized criminal groups are 
now behind bars. But much work remains to be done to reform 
Kyrgyzstan's judicial system and strengthen controls over its borders.
  The United States can play a constructive role by providing financial 
support and technical expertise. We must also speak out forcefully for 
evenhandedness in the prosecution of cases related to last year's 
violence. Guaranteeing justice and equality before the law would go a 
long way toward alleviating interethnic tensions.
  Finally, Kyrgyzstan must deal with the underlying causes of last 
year's violence. Reconciliation initiatives have been slow to get off 
the ground. And tensions between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities 
continue to fester.
  Mr. President, Kyrgyzstan is a multi-ethnic state. Its diversity is a 
source of strength. But too often, opportunistic actors have exploited 
ethnicity to settle scores, acquire resources, and reclaim land in the 
fertile plains of the Ferghana valley.
  Last June, Senator Lugar and I authored a resolution on Kyrgyzstan 
calling for a full and fair investigation into the violence. The 
recently released report of the Kyrgyzstan Inquiry Commission is a 
welcome contribution to this debate, and I hope that all parties will 
give serious consideration to its findings.
  The United States has committed over $28 million for projects that 
will support reconciliation in Kyrgyzstan. A portion of these funds 
will engage civil society to increase links between Kyrgyz and Uzbek 
communities. U.S. assistance will also support implementation of the 
recommendations contained in the inquiry commission's report. Going 
forward, we must continually look for ways to bring Kyrgyz and Uzbeks 
together through economic and community-based initiatives.
  I harbor no illusions about the road ahead. Indeed, no experiment--
democratic or otherwise--has been without its fair share of setbacks. 
But I remain confident that the people of Kyrgyzstan will seize this 
moment and advance the cause of democracy for the benefit of their 
country, the region, and the world.

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