MFA LAYS NEXT STEPS ON SHOOTING INCIDENT AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000340 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR KG SUBJECT: MFA LAYS NEXT STEPS ON SHOOTING INCIDENT AND BROADER BASE-KYRGYZ RELATIONS REF: A. STATE 38071 ¶B. 280323Z MAR 07 - USDAO IIR 6 955 2038 07 ¶C. 201610Z MAR 07 - USDAO IIR 6 955 2032 07 BISHKEK 00000340 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) . ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. On March 27, Ambassador delivered ref A diplomatic note denying Kyrgyz request to extradite Airman Hatfield in connection with the December 6 shooting incident at Manas Air Base. First Deputy Foreign Minister Kydyrev was expecting this response and laid out his views on next steps in managing the issue. He also said that it would be important to create a legal basis for Kyrgyz relations with the base that are "more suitable and take into account the interests of both sides." Kydyrev said that perhaps this would not mean re-opening the agreement, but "major steps" would need to be taken and said he would be following up with the Ambassador. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On March 27, Ambassador delivered ref A diplomatic note denying Kyrgyz request to extradite Airman Hatfield in connection with the December 6 shooting incident at Manas Air Base. First Deputy Foreign Minister Kydyrev was expecting this response and thanked the Ambassador. Ambassador asked how Kydyrev sees next steps in managing the issue. He said his views had not changed since the previous meeting on March 20 (Ref B). First, the U.S. needed to provide the pistol to the Kyrgyz, and the Kyrgyz needed to share the evidence which the U.S. wants to test. Second, the U.S. needed to finish its investigation as quickly as possible, so that both sides could exchange information. Third, the two sides should agree on a memorandum, that the U.S., taking into account the information from the Kyrgyz investigation, would act in accordance with U.S. law to ensure justice is done. ¶3. (C) Kydyrev continued that if the U.S. does not find the airman criminally liable, then some form of administrative punishment should be administered. It would be important, he continued, to inform the Kyrgyz public that steps had been taken to punish the airman. The Ambassador replied that the U.S. investigation is ongoing and she cannot prejudge the outcome, but that if it was determined that the airman had acted properly, there would not be either a criminal or an administrative punishment. She noted that both the Kyrgyz and the U.S. sides had remarked on March 20, that it was very possible that we could agree on the facts, but come to different conclusions due our different laws and practices. She added it is important to come to agreement on a way forward, so that relations are not disrupted by a crisis. ¶4. (C) Turning to the Base more generally, Kydyrev said that the previous day in a meeting with Kyrgyz ambassadors, President Bakiyev had reaffirmed the need to develop good relations with the U.S. and to support the U.S. security and anti-terrorist endeavors. Kydyrev said the President supports the continued presence of the Base in Kyrgyzstan, but that he also said, taking into account the incidents in the fall, certain steps needed to be taken. Kydyrev noted the pressure the GOKG is under from NGOs and parliamentarians to cancel the Base agreement, or at least negotiate better terms. Kydyrev said it would be important to create a legal basis for Kyrgyz relations with the base that are "more suitable and take into account the interests of both sides." Kydyrev said that perhaps this would not mean re-opening the agreement, but "major steps" would need to be taken. He suggested that a possible solution would be a separate protocol regulating future incidents. Kydyrev also said that the U.S. could come up with a way forward and said that BISHKEK 00000340 002.2 OF 002 he would call the Ambassador to discuss this issue in a week. ¶5. (C) Ambassador responded that the Embassy follows the parliament very closely and that often the parliamentarians that complain the loudest about the Base are not independent political actors, but are doing the bidding of individuals or interests in the government. She reminded Kydyrev that the U.S. and Kyrgyzstan had just negotiated an agreement in the summer of 2006; she predicted that there would be no enthusiasm for new negotiations so soon. Moreover, she said that it was not entirely clear what issues the Kyrgyz side wanted resolved. Ambassador said she was always available to discuss this and any other issue and hoped that Kydyrev would be frank and specific in the next meeting. Kydyrev did not respond directly, but said that the new Foreign Minister was favorably disposed to the Base and that now the MFA would have a positive position on the Base. That said, he said it would be important to show U.S.-Kygyz relations in a positive, mutually advantageous light. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: It is troubling that after repeated conversations, the Deputy Foreign Minister and the Deputy Defense Minister (ref C) continue to advocate that the airman be punished even if the U.S. side determines that there was no wrong-doing on his part. The shooting incident will remain a sensitive bilateral issue until it is resolved, and even then, it will likely be a point of contention, if the U.S. finds that the airman acted properly. While not a surprise, it is even more troubling that we will likely soon receive an official request to review the status of the base in some form. As it becomes clearer what the GOKG has in mind, Post will be in a better position to provide recommendations. We note that this request will likely coincide with our own notification that we intend to extend the July 2006 Protocol. END COMMENT. YOVANOVITCH