KYRGYZ FOREIGN MINISTER ON SHOOTING AT AIR BASE:

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001736

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ FOREIGN MINISTER ON SHOOTING AT AIR BASE:
LET'S WORK THROUGH THIS

REF: A. BISHKEK 1732

B. BISHKEK 1722

C. BISHKEK 1706

BISHKEK 00001736 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Jekshenkulov called in the
Ambassador late on December 8 to discuss the shooting
incident at the Manas Air Base (Ref B). Jekshenkulov gave
the Ambassador two diplomatic notes: one requesting
cooperation in the investigation, and the second proposing
the establishment of a joint commission to consider question
connected to the incident, including possible changes to the
agreement on status of forces. Jekshenkulov said that public
reaction to the shooting had been strong, and some were
exploiting it as a political issue. Jekshenkulov said that
he did not want the incident to harm bilateral relations, and
he hoped that Washington would be "forward leaning" in its
response. Jekshenkulov said that it was imperative to work
closely with his ministry to try to settle things down over
the next two weeks. Jekshenkulov was surprisingly
constructive during the meeting, but his words are no
guarantee of constructive action. End Summary.


2. (C) Late on December 8, Foreign Minister Jekshenkulov
called in the Ambassador to discuss the investigation into
the shooting incident at the Manas Air Base. Jekshenkulov,
who had just returned from Brussels where he had a positive
meeting with SCA DAS Evan Feigenbaum, said he did not want
the shooting to have a negative impact on the "good"
bilateral relationship. Jekshenkulov delivered two
diplomatic notes concerning the incident (informal
translations e-mailed to SCA/CEN). The first note, which
Jekshenkulov said was from the Prosecutor General, requested
access to the U.S. airman, access to the gun, and a joint
investigation. The Ambassador pointed out that a joint
investigation had already been established with the U.S. Air
Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) and the Kyrgyz
Ministry of Interior (MVD),and that it was the
responsibility of the Kyrgyz Government to coordinate
information between its own departments. Jekshenkulov took
the point. The Ambassador, nevertheless, undertook to get
responses to the requests in the note.


3. (C) The second note proposed setting up a joint commission
to work on the following issues: joint investigation of the
incident (Note: this has already been done. End note.);
plan measures to prevent similar incidents in the future;
develop suggestions for changes to the 2001 bilateral
agreement that covers that status of U.S. forces in
Kyrgyzstan. The note also proposed creating a permanent
commission to investigate incidents of damage, destruction of
property, death or injury related to the presence of DOD
military and civilian personnel in Kyrgyzstan.


4. (C) Jekshenkulov said that he did not want the incident to
harm the bilateral relationship. He said that the public had
reacted strongly to the shooting of a Kyrgyz national, and
following the September accident involving a Kyrgyz passenger
plane and a U.S. refueling tanker, people questioned the
value of the Base. In addition, many were exploiting the
tragedy and stirring up passions for political purposes.
Therefore, he said, it was imperative that we work closely
together to get through this incident without damaging the
bilateral relationship. He said he was doing all he could to
resolve the problems and "settle things down," and he hoped
Washington would be "forward-leaning" in its approach to the
incident. Jekshenkulov said that if the U.S. side were seen
as not cooperating, it would be serious. Kyrgyzstan is a
partner in the war on terrorism, but this cannot be with
losses to Kyrgyz civilians.


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5. (C) Jekshenkulov suggested working quietly together over
the next two weeks. One way to do this, he said, was for the
U.S. to be responsive to Kyrgyz demands. He also said that
it was essential that the investigation be transparent, as
there were already wild rumors circulating about the
incident. The Ambassador pointed out that such rumors had
not come from the U.S. side. Jekshenkulov closed by saying
that the government understood that the incident was a
tragedy, but it did not want the incident to grow into an
even larger issue.


6. (C) Ambassador raised the issue of continued harassment of
U.S. democracy NGOs by the Prosecutor General's office (Ref
C),and Jekshenkulov promised to address the issue and
contact the Prosecutor General next week.


7. (C) Comment: Given Jekshenkulov's past stances, his
approach to the meeting was surprisingly constructive. He
understands the need to settle down the popular and political
reaction to the incident, and to do so quickly before
reactions spin out of control. He made clear, however, that
the Kyrgyz side had high expectations about U.S.
"responsiveness" to Kyrgyz demands in the investigation. We
welcome Jekshenkulov's assurances that he will do all he can
to settle the situation, but we are cautious, as his words
are no guarantee of action.

YOVANOVITCH