Old enemies now close allies: U.S. and Kyrgyzstan work toward future goals

Courtesy Photo | Maj. Gen. Kubanychbek Oruzbaev (center) speaks to members of the U.S. delegation during the 2005/2006 U.S.-Kyrgyzstan Consultative Staff Talks. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Bryce S. Dubee, Thrid U.S. Army Public Affairs)  

BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN

09.23.2005

Courtesy Story

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By Spc. Bryce S. Dubee
Third U.S. Army Public Affairs Office

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan -- Fewer than 20 years ago, the United States and the Soviet Union were bitter enemies, engaged in the Cold War that divided most of the world between the two sides. It was a time of distrust and tension throughout most of the world.

However, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, there now exists an era of openness and partnership between the United States and many of the former Soviet states. One of these nations, Kyrgyzstan, has been a valuable ally and partner to the United States in the Global War on Terrorism.

Located in Central Asia south of Kazakhstan on the western border of China, Kyrgyzstan is a vital team member in supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, allowing U.S. forces use of its airbase assets. In addition, the United States has worked with Kyrgyzstan for several years in various partnership exercises and exchanges. These programs are designed to improve relationships between the two countries, strengthen the capabilities of the Kyrgyz military and increase overall stability in the region.

These events are planned out annually at meetings called consultative staff talks. Recently, the Kyrgyzstan/United States Consultative Staff Talks for 2005 were held in Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan.

The purpose of the talks was to discuss the programs conducted throughout fiscal year 2005 and to plan events to be held during fiscal year 2006.

Issues with funding and obtaining visas impeded the mission at points, said Lt. Col. Dan Groeschen, lead negotiator for U.S. Central Command during the talks. He said unfortunately some events had to be cancelled or postponed.

"2005 did not go as well as we would have hoped," said Groeschen.

To complicate matters, in March 2005 there was a revolution in Kyrgyzstan in which the president was overthrown and a new president was democratically elected.

"However, even with these setbacks we tried to make up as much lost ground as possible by rescheduling or combining events," said Groeschen. "And when we do hold the events, the Kyrgyz military is always very professional and well prepared."

Kyrgyzstan's military is based on the old Soviet system, which uses conscripts obligated to 18 months of service to fill the bulk of its enlisted ranks, as opposed to professional, contracted Soldiers. This creates a system in which most of the responsibilities of maintaining the unit rest upon the shoulders of officers, whereas in more modern militaries the duties are split between the officers and the non-commissioned officers.

At the staff talks the Kyrgyz representatives said that they would like to move towards a more professional army, paying special attention to the NCO education system.

"We would like to greatly increase the role of the sergeant within our military," said Maj. Gen. Kubanychbek Oruzbaev, the Kyrgyz deputy minister of defense.

The Kyrgyz representatives added they also would like to continue the training of their special forces and explosive ordnance disposal teams, as well as modernizing their military communication and medical equipment. These actions will help them in reaching their eventual goal of creating a small mobile peacekeeping force that will be capable of participating in international operations.

To assist in these efforts, the United States is providing assistance in the form of information exchanges and training events. From the creation of an NCO academy with the Montana National Guard, to a mountain warfare school exchange with Army Forces Central Command (ARCENT), to joint training exercises with U.S. Special Forces, the U.S. military has stayed busy working with Kyrgyzstan throughout the past year. Third U.S. Army alone participated in 12 events scheduled in Kyrgyzstan during fiscal year 2005.

For Groeschen, who has been working with Kyrgyzstan for the past year and a half, he said that he sees the staff talks as a good way for the leadership from both nations to get a chance to sit down and evaluate the various programs.

"Kyrgyzstan has laid out a series of objectives for modernizing their military over the course of the next five years," said Groeschen.

The staff talks are a good way to see what progress is being made in their five year plan and if there are any events that the Kyrgyz military would like to add or remove from the training schedule to assist in meeting their goals, he explained.

The two nations have found working through the occasional complication to be mutually beneficial as Kyrgyzstan improves its military and the U.S. maintains a strong relationship with this valuable Central Asian ally.

• Date Taken: 09.23.2005
• Date Posted: 09.23.2005 16:45
• Story ID: 3098
• Location: BISHKEK, KG