MANAS UPDATE: PRESIDENT BAKIYEV'S LETTER TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000674 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN - PDAS MOON AND DAS KROL E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG SUBJECT: MANAS UPDATE: PRESIDENT BAKIYEV'S LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA REF: WHITE HOUSE-BISHKEK CABLE 090525Z JUN 09 BISHKEK 00000674 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Lee Litzenberger, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On the afternoon of June 24, Presidential Foreign Policy Advisor Aibek Moldogaziev delivered to Charge a signed original letter from President Bakiyev to President Obama responding to President Obama's earlier letter (reftel). The Embassy's informal translation of the letter follows below at paragraph 6. Post will pouch the original to SCA/CEN. ¶2. (C) The letter is very positive in tone and reinforces President Bakiyev's decision to agree to the new arrangement that establishes a Transit Center at Manas International Airport to support coalition operations in Afghanistan. Pointing to this section of the letter, Moldagaziev commented, "This decision was not easy." However, the letter also notes that the agreement is currently under review by parliament. ¶3. (C) In the letter, President Bakiyev also mentions the "Kyrgyz Republic's initiative to organize a permanent international conference in Bishkek" (generally referred to as the "Bishkek Initiative") to consider issues related to the security and stabilization of Afghanistan and the Central Asian region. ¶4. (C) In response to Charge's questions, Moldagaziev said he thought today's consideration of the agreements by the party factions in parliament would proceed without incident. Regarding the outlook for ratification during Thursday's plenary session, Moldagaziev admitted that "we're a little worried" about possible pressure, and then referred to remarks made today by Russian MFA spokesman Nesterenko, who acknowledged the decision as a sovereign Kyrgyz choice but also expressed disappointment that the arrangements seemed to allow the U.S. military presence to remain at Manas. Moldagaziev then noted that Nesterenko's criticism was "strange," given that five or six years ago, Russia negotiated agreements with France, Germany, and others for the transit of military goods across Russian territory. Charge commented that, although he was unaware of Russia's arrangements with other countries, such understandings would constitute helpful precedents for Kyrgyzstan's decision to support the Transit Center. ¶5. (C) Moldagaziev asked whether there have been any U.S. public statements regarding the Transit Center. Charge referred him to the statement made by the Embassy press spokesperson, as well as to the June 23 State Department noon press briefing. Moldagaziev said the Kyrgyz would very much appreciate a positive statement from Secretary Clinton at this time regarding the Kyrgyz decision on the Transit Center. ¶6. (C) Following is Embassy's unofficial translation of the letter from President Bakiyev to President Obama. Begin text: To His Excellency Mr. Barack Obama The President of the United States of America Washington, DC June 24, 2009 Your Excellency, I am sincerely thankful for your message in which you praised the Kyrgyz Republic's contribution to the common efforts to take action against terrorism, drug-trafficking and violence in Afghanistan. BISHKEK 00000674 002.2 OF 002 Unfortunately, it must be noted that in spite of the measures taken by the Government of Afghanistan, the situation in this country is still difficult. I would like to express my support for the new strategy of the USA towards Afghanistan and Pakistan, which foresees not only military but also other methods, including the provision of additional financial means in order to support people of Afghanistan. The Kyrgyz Republic is interested in participating in the international community program to support Afghanistan. In this connection, I would like to call your attention to the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic to organize a permanent international conference in Bishkek on the issues of security and stability in the Central Asian region. Your Excellency, taking into account the circumstances expressed above, and proceeding from the national interests of countries and also taking into account the present situation in the region, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic has taken a decision to conclude certain agreements with the Government of the USA on the cooperation, terms and conditions for the use of the Transit Center at the Manas International airport. I would like to express my confidence that the decision taken by the Kyrgyz Republic will help the situation in Afghanistan to stabilize more rapidly. At the present time, these agreements are under consideration by the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic. Positively evaluating your suggestion to send a high-ranking delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic, I am expecting the activization of Kyrgyz-American relations in the political, economic, trade, investment, and other fields of cooperation. Your Excellency, please accept in conclusion the assurance of my highest consideration. //signed// Kurmanbek Bakiyev End text. LITZENBERGER