KYRGYZ ADMINISTRATION REFUTES MEDIA REPORTS OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001266

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MOPS KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ ADMINISTRATION REFUTES MEDIA REPORTS OF
BASE CLOSURE

REF: A. BISHKEK 1100

B. BISHKEK 1059

C. BISHKEK 1053

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Classified By: Charge Lee Litzenberger, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: In a meeting with Charge December 19, Kyrgyz
Presidential Foreign Policy Advisor Ryskulov refuted as
"disinformation" an Agence France-Presse story that the
Kyrgyz government was preparing to demand withdrawal of the
Manas Air Base. Ryskulov said that the United States and
Kyrgyzstan have a "valid international agreement" covering
the base, and there "no question of opening it up." End
summary.

Media Tales about Manas Air Base
--------------


2. (SBU) In a December 15 interview with Russian media
outlet "Svobodnaya Pressa" (Free Press),Kyrgyz President
Kurmanbek Bakiyev discussed Manas Air Base. Bakiyev noted
the Base's history, his role in approving the establishment
of the Base in 2001, and changed circumstances in
Afghanistan. Bakiyev is quoted as saying, "I think the time
has come when (the Afghans) can bring order themselves. At
least there can be no talk of expanding the U.S. base in
Kyrgyzstan. Yes, they requested an additional site, but I
replied that this issue is closed. And due to the fact that
in Afghanistan military operations are no longer conducted,
it is possible to talk about the termination of the existing
base at Manas." He added that the tactics to be used against
drug trafficking did not require military planes.


3. (SBU) In a December 17 article, Kyrgyzstan's official
Kabar news agency posted a summary of the interview under the
headline, "Head of State: No Talk about Expansion of U.S.
Air Base in Kyrgyzstan."


4. (SBU) Agence France-Presse (AFP) then put out an article,
citing an anonymous source in the Kyrgyz administration and
using quotes from the Kabar article, that documents were
being prepared by the Kyrgyz government to close the base.

Kyrgyz Government Seeks to Clarify the News
--------------


5. (C) Kyrgyz MFA Western countries Department Chief Kanat
Tursunkulov assured A/DCM early on December 18 that the AFP
article contained "an incorrect interpretation" of Bakiyev's
comments, added that there was "nothing to worry about," and
confirmed a late afternoon meeting for the Charge with
Bakiyev's foreign policy advisor, Islan Ryskulov, where
"everything would be explained."


6. (C) In the meeting with the Charge, Ryskulov dismissed the
press reports about closing the base as "disinformation." He
said that the journalists had misinterpreted Bakiyev's words.
Ryskulov said that Bakiyev was concerned about the increase
in narcotics trafficking from Afghanistan, as Bakiyev had
said in his October meeting with Assistant Secretary Boucher
(Ref C). Regarding Base operations, Ryskulov said that the
Base operated under valid international agreements, and it
was there to support UN-sanctioned activities in Afghanistan.
Ryskulov said there was "no question" of opening up the
agreement.


7. (C) Charge thanked Ryskulov for the clarification and took
the opportunity to discuss the U.S. proposal to fund
construction of a $37 million project at the airport for a
parking ramp and a special cargo handling area. Ryskulov
said that Manas International Airport, which is working the
proposal through its channels, should accelerate the process
of gaining political approval for the project. He said it

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was extremely important that the airport's proposal include a
well written explanation of the economic and infrastructure
benefits of the project for the airport and for Kyrgyzstan.
He added that it was very important that construction for the
ramp take place on land already leased from the airport by
the Base. He agreed to consider the proposal and provide
additional advice on how to obtain Kyrgyz government approval
for the project.

Comment
--------------


8. (C) Local media have reported rumored U.S. efforts to
secure additional bases in the region, to include at Almaty,
Kazakhstan's main airport, in Uzbekistan, and possibly
elsewhere in the Kyrgyz Republic. Bakiyev's interview, if
accurately reported, appears to demonstrate misconceptions
about conditions in Afghanistan and activities at Manas Air
Base. Fortunately, Ryskulov confirmed that there is no
change in Kyrgyz policy toward the base, which continues to
operate around the clock in support of U.S. and coalition
forces in Afghanistan.
LITZENBERGER