KYRGYZ OFFICIALS URGE DELAY IN AIRMAN'S DEPARTURE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BISHKEK 000259

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ OFFICIALS URGE DELAY IN AIRMAN'S DEPARTURE


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


1. (C) SUMMARY AND ACTION RECOMMENDATION. In a March 13
meeting with the Ambassador, Kyrgyz Deputy National Security
Adviser Oruzov warned of very strong negative reaction if the
service member involved in the December 6 shooting incident
departs Kyrgyzstan without coordination with the Kyrgyz
government. If the serviceman leaves prematurely, he said,
the rest of the base might be told to leave too. In a later
meeting, Presidential Deputy Chief of Staff Sadyrkulov
reiterated to the Ambassador that the service member's
departure should be coordinated with the GOKZ. Ambassador
strongly recommends that the service member's departure be
delayed one to two weeks to allow an agreement between the
U.S. and the GOKZ regarding the service member's departure.
It appears that now that they have been made aware of the
issue, senior policy makers are prepared to try to work out a
way forward that will enable the serviceman to depart without
further undermining political support for the base. They
will need time, however, to work this out, and it is not in
our interest to provoke a crisis by insisting that the
serviceman leave on March 15, at the end of his rotation.
The downside to not at least trying to work out an
understanding could be to jeopardize further operations of
the base. END SUMMARY AND ACTION RECOMMENDATION.


2. (C) On March 13, the Ambassador met with the Kyrgyz
Presidential Deputy National Security Adviser, Alec Oruzov,
to discuss the current situation regarding the December 6,
2006 shooting incident involving a Kyrgyz national and U.S.
service member. The Ambassador queried Oruzov regarding the
status of the Kyrgyz investigation into the incident. Oruzov
replied that he had heard that the investigation had been
completed but had not seen the final report. He then
elaborated that the issue had become an emotional one in
Kyrgyzstan, and that the manner in which it was resolved
would have broader Geo-strategic ramifications. Oruzov noted
that there were strong outside political influences, mainly
emanating from its membership in the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO),that were militating against the base.
Oruzov alluded to recent negative comments made by Russian
President Putin, Russian parliamentarians and Kazakhstani
officials, and stated that Kyrgyzstan was in a difficult
position as it attempted to maintain good relationships with
both the U.S. and its SCO partners. Oruzov stressed that in
order to maintain this balance it was critical that all
unresolved incidents pertaining to the base be resolved in a
manner that was perceived as fair and just amongst both the
Kyrgyz political leadership, and, more important, amongst the
general Kyrgyz population.


3. (C) Oruzov then went on to complain that the service
member, by refusing to submit to an interrogation by Kyrgyz
investigators and by refusing to participate in a reenactment
of the incident, was creating the impression that the U.S.
was not cooperating with Kyrgyz officials in the
investigation. He also stressed that the issue had to be
resolved in an objective and fair manner and that if found
guilty he should be punished and that it should not be
perceived that the U.S. would find a way to find him not
guilty. Oruzov again emphasized that outcome of the
investigation, and the manner in which the incident is
resolved, will have very broad strategic and political
ramifications for the U.S.-Kyrgyz relationship. Oruzov the

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stated that the U.S. system of justice was held in high
regard and as long as the investigation was transparent and
fair, the results would be perceived in a favorable manner.
Oruzov alluded to a bullet hole in the chair as proof that
the Kyrgyz had been shot while sitting. (Comment. The
bullet in the chair has been widely -- and completely
inaccurately -- cited by the media as proof that the Kyrgyz
had been shot in the back while sitting down. The
investigation showed that the bullet hole was caused by a
deflected round. End Comment.)


4. (C) The U.S. Ambassador stressed that the investigation
would undoubtedly be performed in a fair and professional
manner. The Ambassador also noted that while the two sides
might come to differing conclusions regarding the incident,
perhaps due to cultural perceptions, the U.S. military had a
very good record of determining, and dealing with, service
members who are commit criminal acts. The Ambassador noted
that the service member had rights and had, on the advice of
counsel, chosen to exercise those rights and not submit to
another interview or participate in the reenactment. The
Ambassador noted that the Kyrgyz had previously submitted a
written list of forty-four questions which the service member
had answered. Finally, it was noted that the weapon, which
had been sent to a ballistics lab for testing was in the
process of being returned to Kyrgyzstan so that the Kyrgyz
could conduct their own testing. Moreover, the Ambassador
noted that the base had already implemented steps to preclude
another such incident from occurring. (Note. Oruzov
conceded that the same right to not cooperate was afforded
under Kyrgyz law. End note.)


5. (C) Oruzov then reiterated that he did not want the
incident to spoil U.S.-Kyrgyz relations and that he hoped
that the manner would be resolved in a way that would not
antagonize the Kyrgyz population. The issue of the departure
date of the service member was then raised. It was noted
that the service member's unit was scheduled for redeployment
from 10 - 15 March and that it was the intent to redeploy the
service member with his unit. Oruzov stressed that
redeployment of the service member without coordination with
the Kyrgyz would have serious repercussions. He said there
would undoubtedly be an emotional and negative reaction among
the Kyrgyz people and the President himself. Oruzov said
that the emotional impact might be so great that "if the
service member left, the rest of the base would be told to
pack their bags." Oruzov noted that it was well understood
that the service member fell under the U.S. jurisdiction, but
that he should not depart until the Kyrgyz had everything
they needed from the investigation. When pressed on the
issue, it being noted that the Kyrgyz had completed their
investigation and that agreement of the status of the three
outstanding issues had been reached, Oruzov stated that the
Ministry of Internal Affairs should report that there was no
need for the service member to remain. It was then brought
to his attention that the investigators had been sent by the
Ministry of Interior on March 9 to confirm that the service
member had refused further cooperation so that they could
report that there was no need to keep the service member in
the country. Oruzov said he would contact the Ministry of
Interior to confirm this and if they said they needed
additional information he would ascertain what they needed in
order to support the redeployment of the service member.
Oruzov stated the he would speak to the Ministry of the

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Interior this afternoon and hoped to have answer on a way
ahead within the next few days. Oruzov also agreed to have a
meeting with the U.S. and Kyrgyz investigators in order to
hear first hand the points of consensus and disagreement.


6. (C) In a separate meeting with the Ambassador, Deputy
Chief of the Presidential Staff Sadyrkulov also professed not
being aware of the issue of the servicman's imminent
departure, and urged that it be delayed in order to allow the
GOKG to work out a solution. Sadyrkulov called Oruzov in the
Ambassador's presence to set up a meeting Wednesday with the
Prosecutor General, who will be at the White House to discuss
next steps following completion of the Kyrgyz investigation
into the shooting incident. He agreed to inform the
Ambassador Wednesday of the results of that meeting.


7. (C) COMMENT: Oruzov's willingness to get involved in
working out a way ahead to allow the departure of the service
member is a positive event. However, Oruzov made it clear
that redeployment of the service member without a consensus
being reached will have a severe negative impact on
U.S.-Kyrgyz relations and might very well endanger the future
of the base. While Oruzov stated that he would work as
quickly as possible, it is unlikely that the issue will be
resolved before the service member's scheduled date of
departure (15 - 16 March),making it imperative that the
Department, DOD and other Washington agencies give serious
consideration to delaying the serviceman's departure for a
short period, giving the Kyrgyz time to work toward a
solution.


8. (C) Comment Continued. From the manner in which he
spoke, and in previous discussions with Kyrgyz senior
officials, it is clear that the Kyrgyz believe that the
service member is guilty of a criminal act and will perceive
it has a miscarriage of justice if the U.S. investigation
exonerates the service member of any wrong doing. That this
issue is coming to a head at this time is not propitious as
the U.S., no later than 13 April, must officially notify the
Kyrgyz government of its desire to extend the base agreement
for another year.
YOVANOVITCH