Kyrgyz Government Requests Results of Shooting

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000353 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG SUBJECT: Kyrgyz Government Requests Results of Shooting Investigation Ref: Bishkek 335 Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶1. (U) This cable contains an action request. Please see paragraph ¶4. ¶2. (SBU) On April 8, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a diplomatic note requesting that the Embassy provide the results of the U.S. investigation into the December 2006 shooting of Kyrgyz citizen Alexander Ivanov by an airman at the Manas Coalition Airbase. The note states that despite repeated official written and oral requests, the U.S. has not provided information on the results of the investigation. The note further states that the country's leadership monitors the issue closely, and there is widespread public interest in the case. ¶3. (SBU) Embassy's unofficial translation of diplomatic note No. 011-15/583: Complimentary opening. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds that there has been no reaction from the U.S. Embassy to the Ministry's Note No. 011-11/2231 of November 16, 2007 regarding the death of citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. A.S. Ivanov. The Ministry is especially concerned by the fact that, despite long time which has passed since the death of Mr. A. Ivanov, and repeated requests of the Ministry, expressed both in official written form and during high-level bilateral meetings with the representatives of the U.S. State Department and US CENTCOM, the U.S. side has not provided information on results of the investigation of Kyrgyz citizen's death. In view of the aforesaid and taking into consideration that this tragic incident is closely monitored by Kyrgyzstan's leadership and there is wide public resonance of this case, the Ministry earnestly requests the Embassy to inform on the results of the investigation of Mr. Ivanov's death. Complimentary closing. ¶4. (U) Action request: Post would appreciate Department's guidance how to respond to the Kyrgyz government's note. LITZENBERGER