Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KABUL759
2007-03-05 16:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
REMAINS OF MEMORIAL TO SOVIET PILOTS AT BAGRAM AB
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBUL #0759/01 0641629 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 051629Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6606 INFO RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 2887 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 000759
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/A, EUR/RUS, AND PM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2017
TAGS: MARR PREL RS AF
SUBJECT: REMAINS OF MEMORIAL TO SOVIET PILOTS AT BAGRAM AB
REF: STATE 4829
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Richard B. Norland; reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 000759
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/A, EUR/RUS, AND PM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2017
TAGS: MARR PREL RS AF
SUBJECT: REMAINS OF MEMORIAL TO SOVIET PILOTS AT BAGRAM AB
REF: STATE 4829
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Richard B. Norland; reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: In the late 1980s, members of a Soviet
military unit stationed at the then Soviet Bagram Air Base
constructed a memorial to five of their pilots who had been
killed in action fighting the Mujahideen. There are no/no
graves known or believed to be associated with the memorial.
In September 2006, several members of a U.S. military
engineering unit discovered the damaged remains of the
memorial. Per reftel reply from the Secretary to FM Lavrov's
December request, post coordinated with Bagram AB to arrange
a visit on February 22 by the Russian Ambassador to view the
memorial. During the visit, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing
Commander, Brigadier General Miller, told Russian Ambassador
Kabulov that the USG was eager to discuss with the Russian
side possible options for dealing with what remains of the
memorial, explaining that it is located on a part of the air
base that is scheduled for construction of a new aircraft
taxiway. After viewing the memorial, Ambassador Kabulov said
that he thought that Russia will want to salvage (remove)
part of it. The Russian Embassy Defense Attache (DATT)
subsequently informed post on February 27 that the Russian
government has decided that it wants to salvage the central
element of the memorial structure (a concrete slab) and move
it to the grounds of the Russian Embassy in Kabul. Per
reftel, we expect that the Russian Embassy will approach the
Afghan government for permission to salvage/remove any part
of the memorial. Post is committed to assisting with the
resolution of this politically sensitive matter. At the same
time, cognizant of the obvious sensitivities regarding the
Soviet history in Afghanistan, we will need to bear in mind
and work to minimize the potential downsides here in public
affairs terms. End Summary.
--------------
Background
--------------
2. (U) In the late 1980s, members of a Soviet SU-25 (ground
attack aircraft) unit stationed at the then Soviet Bagram Air
Base constructed a memorial to five of their pilots who had
been killed in action fighting the Mujahideen during the
Soviet invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. The memorial
was a low concrete wall approximately 35 feet long, doubling
around upon itself and rising to an end point at which a
small, scale model of an SU-25 was attached. Placed in
between the fold of the wall was a concrete slab,
approximately ten feet long and five feet tall. Set into the
slab were painted portraits of the five Soviet pilots
commemorated by the memorial. On part of the back of the
folding wall of the memorial was an inscription composed of
attached letters. In front of the memorial were stanchions
made of concrete-filled aircraft fuel tank tips connected by
a chain of inter-linked metal brackets. The memorial was
erected next to one of a number of berms/bunkers that used to
provide shielded ramp space for the SU-25s. There are no/no
graves known or believed to be associated with the memorial.
3. (U) In September 2006, several members of a U.S. military
engineering unit discovered the damaged remains of the
memorial while surveying an unused part of Bagram AB for
planned future military construction. The part of the base
where the memorial is located is still affected by mines and
scattered debris from the former Soviet military unit and
probably also from subsequent Afghan fighters who used the
area after the Soviet withdrawal. What remained of the
memorial when the U.S. military engineers discovered it last
fall was only the major concrete pieces and the
concrete-filled fuel tank tips. The model of the SU-25, the
painted portraits of the Soviet pilots, and the letters from
the inscription were all missing. (Note: Post has sent an
e-mail with a picture of the memorial in its original
condition and a picture of what remains of the memorial -- as
it was found by U.S. Airmen last fall -- to SCA/A and
EUR/RUS. End Note)
4. (SBU) Several of the U.S. military engineering personnel
who discovered the memorial researched its history and
undertook initial efforts to stabilize the structure. Their
efforts were published in public affairs material put out by
their unit, and subsequently came to the attention of the
Russian government. The U.S. military personnel eventually
were advised by their leadership to halt their efforts, since
the future disposition of the memorial is a matter to be
resolved between the Russian and Afghan governments. This is
because Bagram AB is Afghan property on lease to the USG. At
some point - post does not have a record of exactly when or
how - the Russians requested access to Bagram AB to view the
memorial. They apparently were told that such a visit could
not be arranged without guidance from Washington. Following
the receipt of reftel, post coordinated with Bagram AB
leadership in preparation for an expected follow up request
from the Russian Embassy to visit the memorial.
--------------
Russian Ambassador Visits Memorial
--------------
5. (SBU) On February 19, the Russian Embassy requested to
visit Bagram AB to view the memorial. Per reftel reply from
the Secretary to FM Lavrov's December request, post
coordinated with Bagram AB to arrange a visit on February 22
by the Russian Ambassador and two members of the Russian
Defense Attache Office to view what remains of the memorial.
Against the backdrop of the correspondence (reftel) between
FM Lavrov and the Secretary, Russian Ambassador Kabulov was
anxious to see the memorial prior to FM Lavrov's February 23
visit to Kabul, so that Kabulov would be able to brief FM
Lavrov on the matter, should he ask about it.
6. (SBU) The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Commander,
Brigadier General Miller, hosted Ambassador Kabulov on
February 22 for the visit to view the memorial. BG Miller
told Ambassador Kabulov that the USG was eager to discuss
with the Russian side possible options for dealing with what
remains of the memorial. In this context, he explained that
the memorial is located on a part of the air base that is
scheduled for construction of a new aircraft taxiway.
Ambassador Kabulov was very appreciative that Bagram AB
leadership was able to arrange the visit on such short
notice. He said that he understood that Russia would need to
obtain Afghan government approval for any course of action it
would suggest regarding the memorial. Ambassador Kabulov
asked when construction is to begin on the part of the base
where the memorial stands. BG Miller said that several
months remain, and assured Ambassador Kabulov that there
would be sufficient time to resolve the matter.
7. (SBU) After viewing what remains of the memorial with his
staff, and having received on-site comments from U.S.
military engineers regarding the fragile state of the
concrete slabs that comprise the bulk of the structure,
Ambassador Kabulov said that he thought that Russia will want
to salvage (remove) the part of the memorial in which the
portraits of the pilots once were hung. (Note: U.S.
military personnel familiar with the memorial informed
Ambassador Kabulov that they had heard that the portraits
were taken to Russia when the Soviets departed Bagram AB.
End Note) Kabulov added that he would seek guidance from
Moscow regarding the other portions of the memorial. BG
Miller assured Ambassador Kabulov that Bagram AB was prepared
to coordinate with the Russian Embassy in its efforts to
resolve the issue. Ambassador Kabulov thanked BG Miller for
his engagement and said that the USG's sensitivity in this
matter was very much appreciated by the Russian government.
Subsequently, on February 27, the Russian Embassy DATT
informed post that the Russian government has decided that it
wants to salvage the central element of the memorial
structure (a concrete slab) and move it to the grounds of the
Russian Embassy in Kabul.
--------------
Next Steps
--------------
8. (SBU) Per reftel, we expect the Russian government will
approach the Afghan government for permission to
salvage/remove any portion of the monument. We have
reiterated this point to the Russian Embassy DATT, and
Russian DCM Semyon Grigoriev confirmed to DCM on March 3 that
the Russians "of course" would approach the GOA on this.
U.S. military personnel, in coordination with post, are
standing by to coordinate subsequent Russian salvage efforts.
--------------
Comment
--------------
9. (C) Post is committed to assisting with the resolution of
this politically sensitive matter and appreciates the timely
engagement of the Bagram AB leadership. At the same time,
cognizant of the obvious sensitivities regarding the Soviet
history in Afghanistan, we will need to bear in mind and work
to minimize the potential downsides here in public affairs
terms.
NEUMANN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/A, EUR/RUS, AND PM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2017
TAGS: MARR PREL RS AF
SUBJECT: REMAINS OF MEMORIAL TO SOVIET PILOTS AT BAGRAM AB
REF: STATE 4829
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Richard B. Norland; reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: In the late 1980s, members of a Soviet
military unit stationed at the then Soviet Bagram Air Base
constructed a memorial to five of their pilots who had been
killed in action fighting the Mujahideen. There are no/no
graves known or believed to be associated with the memorial.
In September 2006, several members of a U.S. military
engineering unit discovered the damaged remains of the
memorial. Per reftel reply from the Secretary to FM Lavrov's
December request, post coordinated with Bagram AB to arrange
a visit on February 22 by the Russian Ambassador to view the
memorial. During the visit, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing
Commander, Brigadier General Miller, told Russian Ambassador
Kabulov that the USG was eager to discuss with the Russian
side possible options for dealing with what remains of the
memorial, explaining that it is located on a part of the air
base that is scheduled for construction of a new aircraft
taxiway. After viewing the memorial, Ambassador Kabulov said
that he thought that Russia will want to salvage (remove)
part of it. The Russian Embassy Defense Attache (DATT)
subsequently informed post on February 27 that the Russian
government has decided that it wants to salvage the central
element of the memorial structure (a concrete slab) and move
it to the grounds of the Russian Embassy in Kabul. Per
reftel, we expect that the Russian Embassy will approach the
Afghan government for permission to salvage/remove any part
of the memorial. Post is committed to assisting with the
resolution of this politically sensitive matter. At the same
time, cognizant of the obvious sensitivities regarding the
Soviet history in Afghanistan, we will need to bear in mind
and work to minimize the potential downsides here in public
affairs terms. End Summary.
--------------
Background
--------------
2. (U) In the late 1980s, members of a Soviet SU-25 (ground
attack aircraft) unit stationed at the then Soviet Bagram Air
Base constructed a memorial to five of their pilots who had
been killed in action fighting the Mujahideen during the
Soviet invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. The memorial
was a low concrete wall approximately 35 feet long, doubling
around upon itself and rising to an end point at which a
small, scale model of an SU-25 was attached. Placed in
between the fold of the wall was a concrete slab,
approximately ten feet long and five feet tall. Set into the
slab were painted portraits of the five Soviet pilots
commemorated by the memorial. On part of the back of the
folding wall of the memorial was an inscription composed of
attached letters. In front of the memorial were stanchions
made of concrete-filled aircraft fuel tank tips connected by
a chain of inter-linked metal brackets. The memorial was
erected next to one of a number of berms/bunkers that used to
provide shielded ramp space for the SU-25s. There are no/no
graves known or believed to be associated with the memorial.
3. (U) In September 2006, several members of a U.S. military
engineering unit discovered the damaged remains of the
memorial while surveying an unused part of Bagram AB for
planned future military construction. The part of the base
where the memorial is located is still affected by mines and
scattered debris from the former Soviet military unit and
probably also from subsequent Afghan fighters who used the
area after the Soviet withdrawal. What remained of the
memorial when the U.S. military engineers discovered it last
fall was only the major concrete pieces and the
concrete-filled fuel tank tips. The model of the SU-25, the
painted portraits of the Soviet pilots, and the letters from
the inscription were all missing. (Note: Post has sent an
e-mail with a picture of the memorial in its original
condition and a picture of what remains of the memorial -- as
it was found by U.S. Airmen last fall -- to SCA/A and
EUR/RUS. End Note)
4. (SBU) Several of the U.S. military engineering personnel
who discovered the memorial researched its history and
undertook initial efforts to stabilize the structure. Their
efforts were published in public affairs material put out by
their unit, and subsequently came to the attention of the
Russian government. The U.S. military personnel eventually
were advised by their leadership to halt their efforts, since
the future disposition of the memorial is a matter to be
resolved between the Russian and Afghan governments. This is
because Bagram AB is Afghan property on lease to the USG. At
some point - post does not have a record of exactly when or
how - the Russians requested access to Bagram AB to view the
memorial. They apparently were told that such a visit could
not be arranged without guidance from Washington. Following
the receipt of reftel, post coordinated with Bagram AB
leadership in preparation for an expected follow up request
from the Russian Embassy to visit the memorial.
--------------
Russian Ambassador Visits Memorial
--------------
5. (SBU) On February 19, the Russian Embassy requested to
visit Bagram AB to view the memorial. Per reftel reply from
the Secretary to FM Lavrov's December request, post
coordinated with Bagram AB to arrange a visit on February 22
by the Russian Ambassador and two members of the Russian
Defense Attache Office to view what remains of the memorial.
Against the backdrop of the correspondence (reftel) between
FM Lavrov and the Secretary, Russian Ambassador Kabulov was
anxious to see the memorial prior to FM Lavrov's February 23
visit to Kabul, so that Kabulov would be able to brief FM
Lavrov on the matter, should he ask about it.
6. (SBU) The 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Commander,
Brigadier General Miller, hosted Ambassador Kabulov on
February 22 for the visit to view the memorial. BG Miller
told Ambassador Kabulov that the USG was eager to discuss
with the Russian side possible options for dealing with what
remains of the memorial. In this context, he explained that
the memorial is located on a part of the air base that is
scheduled for construction of a new aircraft taxiway.
Ambassador Kabulov was very appreciative that Bagram AB
leadership was able to arrange the visit on such short
notice. He said that he understood that Russia would need to
obtain Afghan government approval for any course of action it
would suggest regarding the memorial. Ambassador Kabulov
asked when construction is to begin on the part of the base
where the memorial stands. BG Miller said that several
months remain, and assured Ambassador Kabulov that there
would be sufficient time to resolve the matter.
7. (SBU) After viewing what remains of the memorial with his
staff, and having received on-site comments from U.S.
military engineers regarding the fragile state of the
concrete slabs that comprise the bulk of the structure,
Ambassador Kabulov said that he thought that Russia will want
to salvage (remove) the part of the memorial in which the
portraits of the pilots once were hung. (Note: U.S.
military personnel familiar with the memorial informed
Ambassador Kabulov that they had heard that the portraits
were taken to Russia when the Soviets departed Bagram AB.
End Note) Kabulov added that he would seek guidance from
Moscow regarding the other portions of the memorial. BG
Miller assured Ambassador Kabulov that Bagram AB was prepared
to coordinate with the Russian Embassy in its efforts to
resolve the issue. Ambassador Kabulov thanked BG Miller for
his engagement and said that the USG's sensitivity in this
matter was very much appreciated by the Russian government.
Subsequently, on February 27, the Russian Embassy DATT
informed post that the Russian government has decided that it
wants to salvage the central element of the memorial
structure (a concrete slab) and move it to the grounds of the
Russian Embassy in Kabul.
--------------
Next Steps
--------------
8. (SBU) Per reftel, we expect the Russian government will
approach the Afghan government for permission to
salvage/remove any portion of the monument. We have
reiterated this point to the Russian Embassy DATT, and
Russian DCM Semyon Grigoriev confirmed to DCM on March 3 that
the Russians "of course" would approach the GOA on this.
U.S. military personnel, in coordination with post, are
standing by to coordinate subsequent Russian salvage efforts.
--------------
Comment
--------------
9. (C) Post is committed to assisting with the resolution of
this politically sensitive matter and appreciates the timely
engagement of the Bagram AB leadership. At the same time,
cognizant of the obvious sensitivities regarding the Soviet
history in Afghanistan, we will need to bear in mind and work
to minimize the potential downsides here in public affairs
terms.
NEUMANN