Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BISHKEK1732
2006-12-07 12:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
how-toVZCZCXRO8972 OO RUEHDBU DE RUEHEK #1732/01 3411233 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 071233Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8676 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 1836 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE IMMEDIATE 1409 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0394 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 2248 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 1633 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE IMMEDIATE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP IMMEDIATE RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001732
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: AIRBASE DIP NOTE
BISHKEK 00001732 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001732
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: AIRBASE DIP NOTE
BISHKEK 00001732 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) This is an action request. See para 4 below.
2. (C) On December 7, the Embassy received a diplomatic
note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the
shooting death of a Kyrgyz citizen at Manas Air Base. The
note "demands" that the U.S. revoke the diplomatic immunity
of the U.S. Airman who shot the Krygyz citizen, and "insists"
that the Airman remain in Krygyzstan to allow for a full
investigation. Finally, it notes that Kyrgyzstan retains the
right to seek full compensation from the U.S. for the
incident. Informal Embassy translation is at para 5 below
3. (C) With respect to the request to revoke diplomatic
immunity, Embassy notes that Article 32 of the Vienna
Convention specifically grants this right to the discretion
of the sending party. In addition, the December 5, 2001
U.S.-Kyrgyz agreement on Manas Air Base accords diplomatic
immunity to all military and civilian personnel of DOD and
specifically grants the U.S. side criminal jurisdiction for
all such personnel. With respect to the request to keep the
Airman in Kyrgyzstan, the Embassy notes that at present the
Airman remains on base, but has been removed from duty. OSI
anticipates that it will complete most aspects of the Kyrgyz
portion of its investigation in approximately three weeks.
Given GOKG concern over the speed at which Major Metzger was
returned to the U.S., the Embassy would recommend retaining
the Airman on base until the joint investigation has
completed their part of the investigation, at which time a
decision could be made regarding his return to the U.S.
4. (C) Action Request: That the Department provide
guidance on how to respond to the diplomatic note.
5. (LOU) Begin informal Embassy translation of the
diplomatic note:
Ministry if Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic presents
its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of
America in the Kyrgyz Republic and has the honor to note the
following:
On December 6, 2006 approximately at 3:00 pm U.S. serviceman
Zachary Hatfield shot Ivanov Alexander Stepanovich to death
at the Manas airport vehicle inspection point.
The Ministry, in accordance with Article 32 of Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961 and
Agreement between the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and
the United States Government on status of military and
civilian personnel of the U.S. Department of Defense in the
Kyrgyz Republic dated December 5, 2001 demands that the
United States Government revoke immunity for the U.S.
serviceman Zachary Hatfield who shot the Kyrgyz citizen dead.
The Ministry insists that the U.S. side not allow the
departure of U.S. serviceman Zachary Hatfield outside the
Kyrgyz Republic for the purposes of objective and
comprehensive investigation of this tragic incident.
The Kyrgyz side with regard to this tragic incident retains
the right to claim appropriate compensation from the U.S.
side to the full extent.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic avails
itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the
United States of America in the Kyrgyz Republic the
assurances of its highest consideration.
Bishkek, December 7, 2006
End informal Embassy translation.
BISHKEK 00001732 002.2 OF 002
YOVANOVITCH
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: AIRBASE DIP NOTE
BISHKEK 00001732 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) This is an action request. See para 4 below.
2. (C) On December 7, the Embassy received a diplomatic
note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the
shooting death of a Kyrgyz citizen at Manas Air Base. The
note "demands" that the U.S. revoke the diplomatic immunity
of the U.S. Airman who shot the Krygyz citizen, and "insists"
that the Airman remain in Krygyzstan to allow for a full
investigation. Finally, it notes that Kyrgyzstan retains the
right to seek full compensation from the U.S. for the
incident. Informal Embassy translation is at para 5 below
3. (C) With respect to the request to revoke diplomatic
immunity, Embassy notes that Article 32 of the Vienna
Convention specifically grants this right to the discretion
of the sending party. In addition, the December 5, 2001
U.S.-Kyrgyz agreement on Manas Air Base accords diplomatic
immunity to all military and civilian personnel of DOD and
specifically grants the U.S. side criminal jurisdiction for
all such personnel. With respect to the request to keep the
Airman in Kyrgyzstan, the Embassy notes that at present the
Airman remains on base, but has been removed from duty. OSI
anticipates that it will complete most aspects of the Kyrgyz
portion of its investigation in approximately three weeks.
Given GOKG concern over the speed at which Major Metzger was
returned to the U.S., the Embassy would recommend retaining
the Airman on base until the joint investigation has
completed their part of the investigation, at which time a
decision could be made regarding his return to the U.S.
4. (C) Action Request: That the Department provide
guidance on how to respond to the diplomatic note.
5. (LOU) Begin informal Embassy translation of the
diplomatic note:
Ministry if Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic presents
its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of
America in the Kyrgyz Republic and has the honor to note the
following:
On December 6, 2006 approximately at 3:00 pm U.S. serviceman
Zachary Hatfield shot Ivanov Alexander Stepanovich to death
at the Manas airport vehicle inspection point.
The Ministry, in accordance with Article 32 of Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961 and
Agreement between the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and
the United States Government on status of military and
civilian personnel of the U.S. Department of Defense in the
Kyrgyz Republic dated December 5, 2001 demands that the
United States Government revoke immunity for the U.S.
serviceman Zachary Hatfield who shot the Kyrgyz citizen dead.
The Ministry insists that the U.S. side not allow the
departure of U.S. serviceman Zachary Hatfield outside the
Kyrgyz Republic for the purposes of objective and
comprehensive investigation of this tragic incident.
The Kyrgyz side with regard to this tragic incident retains
the right to claim appropriate compensation from the U.S.
side to the full extent.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic avails
itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the
United States of America in the Kyrgyz Republic the
assurances of its highest consideration.
Bishkek, December 7, 2006
End informal Embassy translation.
BISHKEK 00001732 002.2 OF 002
YOVANOVITCH