Expert Korganbaev explains importance of establishing three security agencies in Kyrgyzstan

The interlocutor of the editorial staff stated that though the State Committee for National Security has transformed into a “super agency”, talking about its highly efficient work is inconceivable.

Ensuring the security of heads of state remains a difficult and problematic aspect of the work of special services. Terrorists, extremists, political opponents and foreign intelligence services – this is where the real threat to the first persons on the “Olympus” of power comes from.

It should be noted that in a number of states, including Russia, a special service is charged with protecting the president and other high-ranking politicians. Such a security agency existed in Kyrgyzstan and then merged with the State Committee for National Security. A Kyrgyz expert Mederbek Korganbaev believes that the Republic needs to make essential changes in the enforcement bloc of the Republic. In an interview with CentralAsia.news, he highlighted the need to establish new special services.

Mederbek, could you please explain what agencies are we talking about?

Currently, the Republic is to fulfil a set of tasks of ensuring national security, combating corruption and protecting state borders. The need to fulfil the above tasks necessitates establishing enforcement services reporting to the President of Kyrgyzstan.

It turns out that now the enforcement forces are unable to effectively perform their functions.

Let’s start from the top. At the end of 2020, the Border Service of Kyrgyzstan merged with the State Committee for National Security. Since the spring of 2021, the situation on the border with Tajikistan has deteriorated sharply. Incidents between border guards of the two countries happen. Unfortunately, the integration of the Border Service into the State Committee for National Security did not justify itself.

Does it make sense to separate the border agency again?

The border service is a large enforcement department capable of independently performing the function of protecting the state border. The establishment of the State Border Service (SBS) will significantly increase the efficiency of the border troops and allow them to take the necessary measures to strengthen state border in the shortest possible time. The Service will report directly to the head of state.

Why should the Service be limited to the President?

Border disputes cannot be resolved through conflicts and an arms race; all we need here is adequate behaviour of government officials and long-term negotiations. It is very important not to allow any hostile and thoughtless statements from both sides. The key to border demarcation and delimitation is diplomacy, not combat drones and armoured vehicles. The President determines foreign policy. I am sure that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Border Service will be able to achieve tangible results together and reduce tension between Bishkek and Dushanbe.

What other government agencies, in your opinion, should be established?

Today, the SCNS is a kind of giant in the law enforcement system. In my opinion, it would be reasonable to separate the Anti-Corruption Service (AS) from the National Security Committee and transform it into the State Anti-Corruption Service (SAS) under the President.

What for, why should it report to the President?

This measure relieves the burden on the State Committee for National Security and significantly raises the status of the Anti-Corruption Agency. I believe that anti-corruption activities should be under the control of the leader of the country. The establishment of the State Anti-Corruption Service will scale up anti-corruption activities and make the Service independent and, eventually, more efficient.

The State Committee for National Security, as they say, has enough troubles of its own, including counterintelligence, intelligence, suppression of terrorist and extremist activities and socio-political analysis and forecasting.

The third agency, as I understand it, should be the Presidential Security Service?

It is very important to transform the 9th Service of the State Committee for National Security into the State Security Service under the President.

The security of the head of state is a key element of national security. Internaiotnal practice shows that the separate enforcement services reporting directly to the President provides protection of the first persons of the country.

Does subordination to the President minimise the risk of a conspiracy and the assassination against the first person?

The Presidential Security Service is a powerful agency, it ranks higher in the hierarchy, while the rest of the security services: the army and national security agencies must interact with the Presidential Guard. The Presidential Security Service often saves presidents from coups. History proves that none of the leaders is immune from the betrayal of their intelligence agencies or military conspiracy. For this reason, heads of state establish presidential guards and security services. It is not uncommon for rulers to trust their lives to foreigners. This is political and enforcement insurance.

In other words, such a division will enhance the efficiency of work of enforcement agencies will become higher, but will the president hold power more firmly?

The situation is slightly different here. The establishment of the above three agencies in Kyrgyzstan will significantly strengthen the vertical of power. The President will receive weighty tools that will help him balance the enforcement bloc, significantly raise the status of the anti-corruption body and the border service and protect himself from any threats.

24 06 2022, 11:50
Photo source: nazarnews.org

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