KYRGYZ APPROVE U.S. SHIPMENT TO AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000665 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2019 TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZ APPROVE U.S. SHIPMENT TO AFGHANISTAN Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Lee Litzenberger, Reason 1.4 (b) and ( d). ¶1. (SBU) On June 17, the Embassy sent a diplomatic note to the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry requesting agreement for a shipment of non-lethal cargo from Manas Air Base to Afghanistan via commercial carriers. This shipment is designed to be a first test of utilizing the Kyrgyz Republic as part of the Northern Distribution Network. ¶2. (SBU) On June 19, Embassy received by diplomatic note a positive response from the Foreign Ministry. Following is Embassy's unofficial translation: (Complimentary opening) Paragraph 3 of the December 5, 2001 agreement between the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Government of the United States of America regarding the status and terms of military and civilian personnel of the U.S. Department of Defense present in the Kyrgyz Republic stipulates the possibility of driving transportation assets that belong to the U.S. Armed Forces or utilized by them while in the Kyrgyz Republic through the territory of Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, those transportation assets shall not be subject to inspection. Also, Paragraph 5 of the aforementioned agreement stipulates that the U.S. Government, its military personnel, contractors and contractor personnel may import into, export out of and use in the Kyrgyz Republic any personal property, equipment, supplies, materials and technology required to implement this agreement. Such import, export and use shall be exempt from any inspection, license, other restrictions, customs duties, taxes or any other charges assessed within the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. Thereupon, the Kyrgyz party expresses its consent on the transit of non-lethal cargo noted in aforementioned Embassy Note, from Manas Airport to Bagram Air Base in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan via the Kyrgyz Republic's road network. At the same time, the Ministry considers it is necessary to emphasize that such shipments can take place until August 18, 2009 (inclusive),i.e. until the expiration date of the aforementioned agreement. Also, the Ministry would appreciate mandatory prior notification to the Kyrgyz party about each upcoming shipment in order to coordinate all issues related to such shipments. The Kyrgyz side notes that such shipments can take place after August 18, 2009 if there is a respective international agreement in place. (Complimentary closing) ¶3. (C) Comment: We read this response as a positive development, especially as the Kyrgyz responded overnight to our request. The extensive references to the 2001 agreement, as well as Kyrgyz acquiescence to the tax-free status of the shipment are also good signs. The response also provides an indication that the Kyrgyz would be receptive to future shipments under a new agreement. LITZENBERGER