CHINESE TELL AMBASSADOR THERE IS NO MANAS-LINKED

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000174 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI) E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV KG SUBJECT: CHINESE TELL AMBASSADOR THERE IS NO MANAS-LINKED MONEY REF: A. BISHKEK 135 ¶B. BISHKEK 96 Classified By: Amb. Tatiana Gfoeller, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) At a February 26 farewell dinner for departing Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yannian, Zhang approached the Ambassador with a "special message from Beijing to Washington." Zhang claimed that after their reftel A discussion about the Kyrgyz claim that China had offered the Kyrgyz $3 billion for the closure of Manas Air Base, he had notified Beijing, which subsequently wanted him to assure the Ambassador that no such offer had been made. Zhang stated that after his meeting with the Ambassador, he had heard similar claims from Kyrgyz interlocutors about the $3 billion. He added that he thinks he knows "who is behind this claim. It is the very same people who are actually paying to close Manas." (Comment: We believe this is a reference to Russia. End comment.) Zhang concluded by stating that the United States and China are "strategic partners," and that Beijing would not sacrifice that relationship for a "piddling base like Manas." ¶2. (C) Comment: President Bakiyev's Chief of Staff Daniyar Usenov was the most senior Kyrgyz representative to inform us of the Chinese $3 billion offer, but it appears the rumor is now spreading (reftel B). If true, this Chinese denial -- as well as other feedback indicating that Usenov has not been fully aboveboard in his comments to us -- reinforces our concerns that Usenov is not a reliable interlocutor on Manas and potentially other issues. GFOELLER