The first real evidence of a U.S. hand in the recent murky revolution in Kyrgyzstan has emered in the form of a "secret report" purportedly written by U.S. Ambassador Stephen M. Young, which appears on the website of Kabar, the Kyrgyz National News Agency. Kabar appears to remain in the hands of loyalists to ousted President Akayev, and we make no claims as to the authenticity of the letter. But it clearly portrays a U.S. aim of destabilizing the Akayev regime.

Spelling his name without the customary Y, the letter states that "Akaev, being a protegee of Russia, is guided by Moscow." It also states that China's startegic interest in Kyrgyzstan is a threat to U.S. interests in the region: "As regards China, the prospect of Central Asia development puts Beijing into dependence on the Kyrghyz hydro-electric resources and electric power potential.... This reason should be taken into consideration when shaping a policy towards Beijing and its presence in the region... Our military presence in Kyrgyzstan 'is annoying' Beijing, and the temporary status of the air force base at Manas airport in Bishkek gives grounds to China to hope for would- be withdrawal of the US troops from Kyrgyzstan."

The letter's final paragraphs are explicit in spelling out an agenda for destabilization:

It is worthwhile compromising Akaev personally by disseminating data in the opposition mass media on his wife’s involvement in financial frauds and bribery...

We also recommend spreading rumors about her probable plans to run for the presidency, etc. All these measures will help us form an image of an absolutely incapacitated president.

It is essential to increase the amount of financial support up to $30 mm to promising opposition parties at the preliminary stage of the parliamentary and presidential elections and allocate additional funds to NGOs including the National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute, Freedom house, Internews Network and Eurasia Foundation...

To minimize Russian influence on the course of elections we ought to urge opposition parties to make appeals to the Russian government concerning non-interference in internal affairs of the KR [Kyrgyz Republic].

Taking into account arrangements of the Department of
State Plan for the period of 2005-2006 to intensify our influence in
Central Asia, particularly in Kyrgyzstan, we view the country as the
base to advance with the process of democratization in Tajikistan,
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and limit Chinese and Russian capabilities in
the area. Setting up democratic legitimate opposition in the parliament
of Kyrgyzstan is extremely important. To reach the target we should
attract groups of independent observers from western humanitarian:
organizations, OSCE, and people from Kyrgyz offices of the UN Program
of Development. That is necessary: to get control of the election
process and eliminate any possible financing of the pro - presidential
majority in the parliament.

Stephen M. Young
The U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyz Republic