KYRGYZ FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS TRANSIT CENTER

S E C R E T BISHKEK 000349 DEPT FOR SCA - DAS KROL E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MOPS KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZ FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS TRANSIT CENTER AGREEMENTS ARE FINE, BUT WANTS TO CLARIFY TECHNICAL POINTS REF: A. BISHKEK 344 ¶B. STATE 35237 (NOTAL) ¶C. BISHKEK 300 Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana C. Gfoeller, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) On April 15, the Ambassador met with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Sarbayev to discuss the texts of the status of forces framework agreement and the agreement specific to the Transit Center at Manas International Airport. Sarbayev said that the agreements were acceptable in principle, but the Kyrgyz side would need to complete a technical review of the texts. ¶2. (S) Sarbayev said that the Kyrgyz side would like to clarify several points, in both the Russian and English texts. Sarbayev said he would prepare a written summary of the points of concern, and he hoped to send this summary to the Ambassador as soon as April 16. Sarbayev cited a couple of instances of uncertain language, such as paragraph 9 of the Transit Center agreement, which refers to support during the "one-year period following entry into force" and to payment "per year." ¶3. (S) Asked by the Ambassador who would sign the agreements on behalf of the Kyrgyz government, Sarbayev said the matter had not yet been decided. Sarbayev asked what additional steps after signing the U.S. would require to have the agreements enter into force. The Ambassador said that she had full authority to sign the agreements, and no additional steps were necessary on the U.S. side. Sarbayev explained that the Kyrgyz side would require additional procedures for the agreements to become law. He said that after signing, the agreements would be sent to the government. After the government approves, the agreements would be sent to Parliament, which would review the agreements first in committees, second in party factions, and then in plenary session. After Parliament approves the agreements in a bill, the bill would be sent to President Bakiyev for signature. Following the President's signature, the agreements would enter into force. ¶4. (S) Sarbayev asked about press reports that President Obama would travel to Kazakhstan to meet with President Nazarbayev in the near future, and, if so, whether we could arrange a meeting there between Presidents Obama and Bakiyev. The Ambassador denied the press reports and told Sarbayev that President Obama had no plans to travel to Kazakhstan in the near future. Disappointed at this news, Sarbayev urged the Ambassador to try to arrange a telephone call from President Obama to President Bakiyev. Sarbayev said that a call would be "extremely helpful at this sensitive time." ¶5. (S) Comment: Sarbayev was clear that the agreements were acceptable, and he did not indicate that there were any insurmountable problems. However, he had a number of questions and minor points for clarification, which may still take some days to resolve. Sarbayev also stressed that there were several procedural steps to be taken on the Kyrgyz side for the agreements to enter into force. We believe that a Presidential call to Bakiyev at this time would accelerate the signing and ratification of the agreements. GFOELLER