PAYMENT OF NAVIGATION AND OTHER FEES FOR U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 067468 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2018 TAGS: EAIR MARR MCAP MOPS PREL TX US SUBJECT: PAYMENT OF NAVIGATION AND OTHER FEES FOR U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT IN TURKMENISTAN REF: A. ASHGABAT 0552 ¶B. STATE 02 76779 Classified By: SCA/DAS for Central Asia George Krol ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: This cable responds to post's request for guidance on the offer by the Turkmenistan National Civil Aviation Service (THY) to cease charging air navigation fees for U.S. aircraft that land at Ashgabat Airport (Ref A),and communicates the May 27, 2008 determination of the Aviation Fees Interagency Working Group (IWG),based on information provided in Ref A, that Ashgabat Airport (UTAA) is a non-governmental airport. ¶2. (C) BACKGROUND: (For U.S. Embassy) The Government of Turkmenistan (GOTX) facilitates support for U.S. and coalition operations in Afghanistan by providing essential overflight clearances for U.S. military flights carrying humanitarian cargo, permitting gas-and-go operations at Ashgabat Airport and providing emergency divert clearance for Mary Airbase. U.S. state aircraft, including military aircraft, overfly Turkmen territory approximately 1500 times per year; approximately 20% of those flights actually land at Ashgabat Airport and are assisted by the on-site U.S. Air Force's gas-and-go team. Loss or even brief cessation of these overflights would have an adverse effect on the movement of critical supplies to U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Preserving this overflight arrangement with the GOTX remains a top priority for the USG. ¶3. (C) STATUS OF ASHGABAT AIRPORT: In May 2008, Ashgabat Airport was determined by the Aviation Fees IWG to be a non-governmental airport, a determination that makes it possible for the U.S. to pay for certain standard services, such as parking and landing, if requested to do so by the airport. ¶4. (U) Washington understands that the THY intends to charge the U.S. Government (USG) in the future for use of airport facilities and services (Ref A). Embassy Ashgabat is authorized to inform the GOTX of U.S. policy (Ref B) with respect to flights of U.S. state aircraft, including military aircraft, operated in or through the airspace of another state, or landing at governmental and non-governmental airports. Embassy Ashgabat is authorized to inform the GOTX of U.S. policy by diplomatic note if it so chooses. The text of such a diplomatic note should include the following points: ¶5. Begin text of diplomatic note: (Complimentary opening) It is U.S. policy that with respect to flights of U.S. state aircraft, including military aircraft, operated in or through the airspace of another state, or landing at governmental and non-governmental airports, the U.S. Government will: -- not be required to pay air navigation, overflight or terminal navigation fees; -- not pay parking and landing fees at foreign government airports; -- pay reasonable charges for services requested and received at governmental and non-governmental airports. -- such services may include but are not limited to parking and landing services at non-governmental airports; access to and use of airport facilities, such as hangars, by U.S. aircraft/crews; and ground handling services. The aforementioned fees must be reasonable in light of the services requested and received and may be paid by U.S. air crews using the AIR Card payment. End Text of Diplomatic Note: ¶5. (U) DOD/OSD/APSA/CEN and Joint Staff/J5/CASA have cleared this message. ¶6. (U) Please direct all questions to Mr. Richard Snelsire, Turkmenistan Desk Officer, SCA/CEN, tel. 202-647-9031. RICE