Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BISHKEK665
2009-06-22 12:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
KYRGYZ APPROVE U.S. SHIPMENT TO AFGHANISTAN
how-toVZCZCXRO5673 RR RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW DE RUEHEK #0665 1731204 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 221204Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2365 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3132 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1419 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3467 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2853 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
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).
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
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