Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov addressed a lengthy letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on February 12, urging him not to interfere in the country's internal affairs.
"I want to emphasize that we advocate for equal cooperation and are ready to work together with all countries and international partners, including the U.S. My only request is not to interfere in the internal affairs of our country," wrote Japarov in the letter, a copy of which was posted on Facebook by his press secretary.
Japarov expressed regret that Blinken possesses biased information about the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan, the Russian publication Izvestia reports.
"In reality, the overwhelming majority of non-governmental/non-profit organizations operate in our country decently and honestly. Only a small but very active group of these structures, funded by foreign states, and their individual representatives serve as a source of unreliable information for their donors," noted the President of Kyrgyzstan.
Japarov invited Blinken to visit Kyrgyzstan and "see for himself that human rights and freedoms in Kyrgyzstan are under reliable protection of the Constitution and laws."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote a letter to the President of Kyrgyzstan on January 17, 2024, expressing concern about a bill on foreign agents under consideration in the country's parliament. "I am writing to express my concern about the parliament's bill on foreign agents (NGO law)," wrote the Secretary of State. Blinken noted in the letter that the adoption of the document would lead to civil and criminal penalties for non-governmental organizations.
In July of last year, The Washington Post, citing U.S. administration officials, reported that the United States intended to impose sanctions on Kyrgyzstan due to alleged deliveries of military equipment and gear to Russia. The argument confirming the existence of the "Kyrgyz shadow market" was data on the volume of exports from Kyrgyzstan to Russia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
February 12, 2024