Almazbek Atambayev: Kyrgyzstan is not afraid of stick and does without carrot policy

During two-day visit to Moscow Almazbek Atambayev made understand the Russian side that “Kyrgyzstan was a little but proud and independent country”. He went to Russian not for “begging money”, but to remind about debts.

You are the boss

“The Russian base in Kant does not pay Kyrgyzstan for rent and does not perform other obligations, as for example training pilots. At the same time the Kyrgyz Government pays all interest on loans, utility costs of the base. Even Dmitry Medvedev was shocked to learn that the Defense Ministry did not consider it proper to pay the rent. Yes, we are a small country, but independent and proud. And there are agreements between the countries, we should get accustomed to perform them,” our President said in the interview to the Echo of Moscow radio station.

Russia’s answer was immediate. According to Atambayev, his counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev called the Russian Defense Ministry and commanded to pay the debts within 10 days. And “this is slightly less than $ 15 million”.

Meantime, Atambayev stressed that he did not exclude situations when all foreign military bases located in the republic’s territory would be closed. In particular this applies to the Manas Transit Center after 2014. “Look at the relations of the U.S.A. and Iran. Tehran has missiles that go to a few thousand kilometers. They can aim at Manas, but miss the mark. There should be no military base in a civil airport. Why do we need them? The country must build a normal army,” Atambayev said.

But at the same time answering the question of journalists whether the issue of combining bases into a single is being considered, he said this issue would be discussed in the second stage.

About carrot policy

The new head of state fulfilled his promise not to ask for credits. “We don’t need a penny from the EurAsEC Anti-Crisis Fund in 2012. We were promised a loan of $ 106 million to support the budget, but have not received it. It was very difficult without it. In 2012, we did not asked it,” the President stressed.

However, not Atambayev will execute the budget. There will be another person who will go to the neighboring countries for financial support.

The heads of two countries discussed the issue of Kyrgyz foreign debt reduction in exchange for shares of Dastan factory. “The agreement on the foreign debt reached on the terms on which insisted: Russia receives 48 percent of Dastan shares. If it needs 75 percent, then please, this is the second stage, but for a fee,” President Atambayev said.

Common roots

The unveiling of the monument to Kyrgyz epic Manas hero was planned during the President’s working trip. A 4.5 meters tall bronze sculpture was made 3 years ago and all this time was kept in stock, because the Mayor’s Office did not have funds for monument and subsequent installation. However, the Moscow authorities found these funds by themselves.

Kyrgyz officials stressed not for once that no som from the state budget was spent for manufacture and installation of the monument. Moreover, they managed to get about 8 million soms with the help of sponsors. However, the Government of Kyrgyzstan gave 9 million soms for the monument, but it happened in 2007.

Atambayev pretty amused the audience proving the historic kinship between the Kyrgyz and Russians: “If anybody does not know, Manas came from the Altai region of Russia. In other words, he is an ethnic Russian!...” This expression, though not entirely accurate in form, as the Russian ethnic group does not exist, however, was true to the mood of friendship and cooperation...

“Numerous monuments in Siberia, Khakassia, Tuva tell about our intimate roots. We, the Kyrgyz, understand that we all were born near the Yenisei. And surprisingly, the recent discovery of scientists, American Indians came from the Altai as well. In other words, Altai was the center of all peoples’ settlement - the President of the Kyrgyz Republic continued the lessons of history. – The Head of the Russian army Kutuzov was also a descendant of Kutuz, Asian. And Catherine II, Fonvizin, Turgenev, who were they by birth? It’s amazing how common our roots.”

God helps...

The President did not change habits to rely on God’s help in his speech at all times. “God grant, the KRG will be a strong and economically independent state”, “I thank God for the fact that all disputes will be resolved mutually, not to the detriment of one of the countries”, “God willing, the country will get on to feet”, Atambayev remembered God in a conversation with the students of State University of Management, in an interview with the Echo of Moscow radio station, and at the Manas monument opening ceremony.

“A lot of questions and problems have accumulated between Russia and Kyrgyzstan over the past few years. But we have been talking with the Prime Minister and President of the Russian Federation for two hours and have been able to find a principled solution that satisfied both sides. We asked neither credits, nor grants. Kyrgyzstan is not afraid of whip and will do without spice cakes: we will keep the country ourselves,” Almazbek Atambayev concluded.

Most of all he “dreams” about Kyrgyzstan’s joining the Common Economic Space by the end of 2012. “We are ready to do this even today. Unfortunately, the schedule was claimed not by us, but by the members of the Customs Union. As they say, dream is not harmful,” the President soberly assessed the situation.