In Bishkek, it is understood that a strong tilt and preference for only one vector of influence can provoke a negative reaction from competing forces in the region. Hence, there is a desire to secure support not only within the CSTO (supervised by Moscow) but also the SCO (a Beijing project), as well as the North Atlantic Alliance, effectively led by Washington.
The Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic currently employ various models of military construction, modernization of the armed forces, command management at the staff level, and overall development. The paradigm of reforms in this area uniquely correlates with proposals from various allies. We can receive our arsenal from Russia, train special forces with the help of Turkish instructors, receive equipment from representatives of the People's Liberation Army of China, and conduct search and rescue operations under the control of the Pentagon.
One vivid example is the joint large-scale 5-day exercises with the Americans in the village of Sadovoe in the Chui region, aimed at repelling a possible invasion by militants and responding quickly to emergencies. The scenario is similar to the peacekeeping actions of the UN "blue helmets" and is conducted at the State Center for Training Rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic.
In addition to our military personnel, the event involves officers from the U.S. Central Command, fighters and specialists from the National Guards of Montana, Wisconsin, and West Virginia, as well as the 3rd Command of the Army Medical Reserve and a search and rescue team from Utah. In total, there are more than 40 overseas moderators and over 285 representatives from the Kyrgyz side.
Tomorrow morning, in the presence of U.S. Ambassador Pamela Spratlen, personnel in khaki will set up a field hospital, repel attacks from jihadists, free hostages from captivity, respond promptly to chemical contamination factors, and rescue people during a building collapse.
At the same time, Kyrgyz security forces are also eager to participate in CSTO training under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and in exercises of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states. Several are planned for this year.
In the modern world, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Kyrgyzstan to take a step towards a final verdict. Nevertheless, sometimes official Bishkek demonstrates a certain principled stance in its relations with dominant players.
Here is an eloquent example of this.
Literally tomorrow, the North Atlantic military bloc will open its representative office in the capital of Uzbekistan. Although earlier, in 2004, NATO planned to establish its regional headquarters not in Tashkent, but precisely in Bishkek.
According to then-NATO Assistant Secretary General Jean Fournet, who was on an official visit to our republic, in addition to developing the well-known "Partnership for Peace" program, economic and other orientations were not excluded.
- We pay great attention to so-called soft diplomacy, - Fournet stated at that time. - Its concept includes programs for environmental security, support for science, and civil society.
So the "Partnership..." project continues to develop successfully in the Kyrgyz Republic to this day. As does the model of the "Virtual Silk Road," support for seismologists, language training seminars, courses for retired officers, etc.
However, it is one thing to simply implement these NATO projects in the field of science and other areas, and quite another to provide a platform for the permanent placement of a military-political center, from where NATO could not only control but also influence processes in the Kyrgyz Republic and throughout Central Asia!
As a result, the proposal from Brussels was gently but firmly rejected by Bishkek. And now NATO officials, having tried many other options, have decided to act from Tashkent.
By the way, the leadership of Kyrgyzstan previously rejected another proposal from the Alliance - to agree to move the NATO Liaison Officer's Office from the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, to Bishkek. Although initially, on April 18, 2011, a resolution of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic approved and sent to the Jogorku Kenesh the draft Law "On the Ratification of the Response Letter from the Minister of Defense dated February 24, 2010 No. 10/297 to the letter of the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization dated February 18, 2010 SG(2010)0102, which together form the Agreement between the Government and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on the status of the liaison officer and interaction with NATO - the "Partnership for Peace" program on the territory of Kyrgyzstan."
NATO did not succeed this time either…
Undoubtedly, the leadership of Kyrgyzstan will continue to be quite flexible in its relations with international blocs and alliances. But it is important that in the desire to please key partners while maintaining its dignity, it does not forget that the interests of its country, its multinational people, and our entire society should always come first, rather than pseudo-geopolitical calculations and some global "strategic plans."
Isn't that so?
Alim Ayumov
