KYRGYZSTAN: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR CLAIMS NO LINK

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000162 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI) E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR CLAIMS NO LINK BETWEEN MANAS AIR BASE AND RUSSIAN AID REF: A. BISHKEK 85 ¶B. BISHKEK 155 Classified By: Amb. Tatiana Gfoeller, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) At a February 24 concert, Russian Ambassador Valentin Vlasov sat next to DCM. While waiting for the performance to begin, DCM chatted up Vlasov on the Russian assistance package and Manas Air Base. Vlasov opened by saying, "Lots going on these days, I hear." DCM confirmed that the Embassy had received the formal diplomatic note regarding closure of the Base the previous Friday. Vlasov asked, "What did they say?" DCM responded that the Kyrgyz handed over the note and indicated they remained open to discussion. Vlasov raised a surprised eyebrow, and grunted. ¶2. (C) DCM then noted that it was hard to understand Moscow's position, given Bakiyev's February 3 announcement in Moscow, right after agreeing on the huge assistance package with President Medvedev, of his intention to close the Base. Vlasov adamantly denied there was any Russian connection to the decision on the Base. "We've been negotiating the Kambarata package for five years." DCM replied that the Kyrgyz have told us that Russia had pressed Kyrgyzstan to close the Base as part of the deal on the assistance. "Who's telling you this? The President?" Vlasov snapped back. "No, we are hearing it from those close to the President," DCM replied. Vlasov then said, "You'll hear lots of things from those around Bakiyev, including probably talk of bribes. The economic package was a deal between the two Presidents. It has nothing to do with the Base." ¶3. (C) DCM next asked Vlasov does this mean that, if Kyrgyzstan and the U.S. were able to reach an agreement to extend the Base, Russia would still provide the promised assistance? "The assistance package has been approved by both Presidents and both parliaments," said Vlasov, who also confirmed the first $150 million payment was scheduled to be made in April. At this point the concert began. Vlasov left at intermission and did not return. ¶4. (C) Comment. Vlasov's denial of linkage between the assistance package and the decision to close Manas Air Base strains credibility. However, European Union Special Representative Morel told the Ambassador earlier that Vlasov had made the same denial to him during their recent exchange (reftels). GFOELLER