KYRGYZ VIOLATIONS OF VISA RECIPROCITY

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000654

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR CA/VO/F/P: PATTY HILL AND MARY EILEEN EARL
SCA/CEN: DGEHRENBECK
FRANKFURT FOR RCO RUSSEL BROWN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS KFRD KREC PGOV KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ VIOLATIONS OF VISA RECIPROCITY

REF: A) E-MAILS BETWEEN POST AND VO
B) 07 Bishkek 1328


1. (SBU) Summary: Over the past year, post has received reports from
U.S. citizens of the increasing difficulties in obtaining Kyrgyz
visas. At a June 16 meeting with the head of the Consular
Department of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy
was informed that foreigners may only receive single entry visas,
valid for one month, from Kyrgyz Embassies and Consulates abroad.
This is a violation of visa reciprocity between the U.S. and the
Kyrgyz Republic. On June 18, post sent Diplomatic Note No. 218
protesting this change in practice and asking the Government of
Kyrgyzstan (GOKG) to honor the existing reciprocity schedule. Post
noted that if the GOKG continues to issue only single entry,
one-month visas, the U.S. will take steps to lower its visa
reciprocity for Kyrgyz citizens. End Summary.


2. (SBU) At a June 16 meeting with the head of the Kyrgyz Consular
Department, Erik Beshenbiyev, post raised the complaints it received
from U.S. citizens. Despite applying for multiple entry visas or
visas valid for more than one month, U.S. applicants only received
single entry visas. The validity of a Kyrgyz visas determines the
length of one's stay in Kyrgyzstan. According to Beshenbiyev,
Kyrgyz Embassies and Consulates are only issuing single entry visas
to all foreigners in an effort to "simplify" their visas processing.
Foreigners wishing to stay longer than one month or receive
multiple entry visas can apply after arriving in Kyrgyzstan.


3. (SBU) In contrast to the MFA's current position, over past two
years the GOKG has requested that the U.S. extend visa reciprocity
for Kyrgyz citizens beyond the current one year, multiple entry
maximum. In addition to the issue of reciprocity, U.S. citizens
have faced increasing difficulties with Kyrgyz visas. Last year,
two U.S. citizens, who had valid visas, were denied re-entry to
Kyrgyzstan after the Kyrgyz Border Service began using a new
name-checking system. Separately, U.S. citizen contractors working
at the Coalition Air Base at Manas have been refused Kyrgyz visas,
despite a Kyrgyz diplomatic note in October 2007 outlining the
procedures for U.S. contractors to receive Kyrgyz visas (Ref B).
MFA Consular Department representatives stated that U.S. contractors
are not allowed to live outside of the airbase. The 2001 Diplomatic
Note establishing Manas Airbase makes no limitation on where U.S.
contractors may or may not live; currently, many contractors live in
Bishkek.


4. (SBU) One June 18, 2008, the U.S. Embassy sent the following
diplomatic note. Begin text:

The Embassy of the United States of America presents its
compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz
Republic and has the honor to inform the Ministry of the following.

The United States Government issues single and multiple entry
non-immigrant visas to the citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic which are
valid for three to twelve months. The cost and visa validity period
for Kyrgyz citizens corresponds to the length of time and cost of
Kyrgyz visas issued to citizens of the United States of America.
U.S. citizens have previously applied for and received single and
multiple entry Kyrgyz visas valid for a maximum of twelve months.
It has come to our attention that Kyrgyz Embassies and
Consulates are only issuing U.S. citizens single-entry visas valid
for one month regardless of their requests or stated period of stay.
At a recent meeting with the Consular Department of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the U.S. Embassy was informed that all foreign
citizens may only receive single entry visas valid for one month.
As a matter of reciprocity, we hereby request that the Kyrgyz
Republic continue issuing single and multiple entry visas to U.S.
citizens for periods up to twelve months. In the event that the
Kyrgyz government declines to issue multiple entry visas valid for
twelve months, the U.S. will take reciprocal steps to reduce the
validity of non-immigrant visas issued worldwide to Kyrgyz citizens.
Visa validity could potentially be reduced to single entry visas
valid for one month. Should the Kyrgyz Republic consider extending
the validity period of visas issued to U.S. citizens, we would give
serious consideration increasing the validity of U.S. visas issued
to Kyrgyz citizens in accordance with U.S. immigration law.
End Text


5. (SBU) Post will await a response from the GOKG and continue
monitoring visa issuances to U.S. citizens. We hope to persuade the
Kyrgyz to resume issuing multiple-entry visas, valid for up to one
year to U.S. citizens. If the GOKG does not change its visa
issuance practice, post will request that the Department reduce the
reciprocity of non-immigrant visas issued to Kyrgyz citizens.

Yovanovitch