Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BISHKEK1001
2007-08-08 13:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

KYRGYZ SEEK AUGUST MEETING ON BASE ISSUES

Tags:  PGOV PREL MARR KG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001001 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ SEEK AUGUST MEETING ON BASE ISSUES

REF: A. STATE 109577

B. BISHKEK 909

C. BISHKEK 906

D. BISHKEK 894

E. STATE 93188

F. BISHKEK 816

BISHKEK 00001001 001.2 OF 002


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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001001

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ SEEK AUGUST MEETING ON BASE ISSUES

REF: A. STATE 109577

B. BISHKEK 909

C. BISHKEK 906

D. BISHKEK 894

E. STATE 93188

F. BISHKEK 816

BISHKEK 00001001 001.2 OF 002


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


1. (C) Summary: Kyrgyz Security Council Secretary Tokon
Mamytov called in Ambassador August 8 to discuss issues
related to the Manas Air Base. Ambassador delivered a copy
of Ref A diplomatic note proposing to convene a meeting, with
the participation of a Defense Department official, in early
September. Mamytov welcomed the proposal for a meeting, but
said that it was "very important" to the Kyrgyz side to meet
in August. Mamytov said he greatly appreciated all of the
U.S. assistance provided to Kyrgyzstan, but the Kyrgyz
government was looking for additional U.S. assistance
directly to the government, to bring the total to $150
million for the year, not including USAID programs. Mamytov
also urged that the U.S. provide $18 million for air
navigation equipment. Mamytov indicated he understood the
terms of the July 2006 Protocol of Intentions and the
accompanying joint statement, but he was clearly under
pressure from President Bakiyev to get more money out of the
Americans. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Kyrgyz Security Council Secretary Tokon Mamytov called
in Ambassador August 8 to discuss issues related to Manas Air
Base and the Kyrgyz-proposed changes to the July 14, 2006
Protocol of Intentions covering payments for use of the base
(see Ref F). Deputy Foreign Minister Taalay Kydyrov attended
the meeting. Ambassador was accompanied by DATT and Pol-Econ
Chief.

JOINT COMMISSION MEETING PROPOSED
--------------


3. (C) Ambassador delivered Ref A diplomatic note stating
that the U.S. was prepared to begin discussions in early
September, with the participation of a Defense Department
official. The discussions would be in the framework of a
Kyrgyz-proposed Joint Commission on base issues. Ambassador
also told Mamytov that in response to Kyrgyz concerns, a
CENTAF environmental assessment team was presently in country

and would meet with Kyrgyz environmental officials on August

10.

KYRGYZ SEEK AUGUST MEETING
--------------


4. (C) Mamytov welcomed the proposal for a meeting and
inquired about the level of representation from the U.S.
side. He also said that it was "very important" that the
meeting take place in August, before parliament opens and
holds hearings on the base in September. Mamytov said that
President Bakiyev would address parliament in early
September, and he would have to answer many tough questions
about the base and U.S. assistance levels. Ambassador
replied that the U.S. delegation had not been finally
determined, but we wanted our delegation to be able to answer
questions authoritatively. Ambassador said that it might be
difficult to organize the meeting before the end of August,
but she would convey Mamytov's request for an earlier
meeting.

INCREASED ASSISTANCE DIRECTLY TO GOVERNMENT
--------------


5. (C) Mamytov said that the GOKG was not seeking to increase
the $17.4 million that the USG pays annually for access to
the air base under the July 2006 Protocol of Intentions, and
the GOKG confirmed the 2001 exchange of diplomatic notes that

BISHKEK 00001001 002.2 OF 002


constitute the base agreement. He then turned to U.S.
assistance, and the question of $150 million in expected
compensation and assistance this year, as referenced in the
Joint Statement of July 14, 2006. Mamytov said he
appreciated greatly U.S. assistance programs, including USAID
and Peace Corps programs. However, the government did not
want to include these programs in the "total compensation and
assistance" because these programs did not involve payment or
equipment provided directly to the Kyrgyz government. By
their reckoning, he said, the government was looking for an
additional $60 million (or perhaps a lesser amount, depending
on the formulation) in assistance directly to the Kyrgyz
government this year in order to reach $150 million. Mamytov
noted that the GOKG only signed the Protocol of Intentions
because the Joint Statement indicated the U.S. would provide
$150 million in assistance to the GOKG.


6. (C) The Ambassador pointed out that the joint statement
read that the U.S. "expects to provide" $150 million in total
compensation and assistance in Kyrgyzstan; nowhere is it
indicated that $150 million would go directly to the GOKG.
The USG had been completely transparent with the GOKG
regarding what kinds of programs were included in the $150
million figure. Mamytov said he understood well the Protocol
and joint statement; nevertheless, parliamentarians (and
others) had expected to see $150 million in assistance "to
the government."

AIR NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT
--------------


7. (C) Mamytov noted that the Kyrgyz Air Navigation
controllers had threatened to stop serving U.S. military
flights over lack of payment. Mamytov acknowledged that the
2001 base agreement specified there would be no payments for
air navigation services to military aircraft, but added "that
doesn't reflect the current situation." Mamytov cited the
importance of radar to air safety and said that the Kyrgyz
request for $18 million for a new radar and related equipment
would be an important question to discuss at the meeting.
The Ambassador said she would convey the points about a
radar, but pointed out that the U.S. had provided $1.4
million in security upgrades at the airport since December.


8. (C) Deputy Foreign Minister Kydyrov raised three other
issues. He said that the Kyrgyz government wanted to get a
list of the contractors and subcontractors working with Manas
Air Base. He also said that it was important for the U.S. to
complete the investigation of the December 2006 shooting
incident and to release the results before the parliamentary
hearings in September. Finally, Kydyrov asked about the
status of the Kyrgyz claim for the September 2006 collision.

COMMENT
--------------


9. (C) We were surprised by the request to convene the
meeting in late August, a time when most Kyrgyz are on
vacation and little business gets done here. Unfortunately,
we were not surprised by the question of the "$150 million,"
which has been covered many times before. Mamytov
understands that this was never intended as a commitment to
provide direct assistance to the government in that amount
each year, but is clearly under pressure from Bakiyev to show
$150 million in total U.S. compensation and assistance (as
defined by the Kyrgyz) to the Kyrgyz government.


10. (C) The radar is a separate question; the Kyrgyz have
sought this practically since the base opened, and it would
improve overall safety for all users of Kyrgyz airspace.
YOVANOVITCH