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