MANAS UPDATE: KYRGYZ PARLIAMENT RATIFIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000691 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA - PDAS MOON AND DAS KROL E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MOPS KG SUBJECT: MANAS UPDATE: KYRGYZ PARLIAMENT RATIFIES AGREEMENTS REF: A. BISHKEK 674 ¶B. BISHKEK 667 ¶C. BISHKEK 650 ¶D. BISHKEK 599 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Lee Litzenberger, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) On June 25, the Kyrgyz Parliament ratified the Manas Transit Center agreements. Seventy-five deputies voted in favor, and five abstained. The vote followed a lengthy debate, during which Foreign Minister Sarbayev faced sometimes sharp questioning from the deputies. The debate was broadcast live on radio. The law on ratification will next go to President Bakiyev for signature. ¶2. (U) Speaking before Parliament, Sarbayev argued that the agreements were in Kyrgyzstan's national interest. He said that the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan could affect security in Central Asia, and the new agreements would provide support to coalition forces fighting against international terrorism in Afghanistan. Sarbayev outlined the financial arrangements in the agreements, including the $60 million annually for access to Manas, $36.6 million for construction of a new parking ramp, and $30 million for an air navigation system. Sarbayev also informed the deputies about the separate U.S. pledges to fund a $20 million joint economic development fund, $21.5 million in additional counter-narcotics assistance, and $10 million in additional counter-terrorism assistance. ¶3. (C) Responding to a question about timing of the negotiations, Sarbayev indicated that the negotiations with the U.S. had started last week. The copies of the agreements sent to Parliament indicated that the agreements had been signed June 22. Some deputies grumbled that the U.S. had shown a lack of respect by having the Ambassador sign (rather than a cabinet-level official),while from the Kyrgyz side the Foreign Minister had signed. ¶4. (C) Comment: Parliament's overwhelming approval is a very positive signal. To this point, events have unfolded as Sarbayev had said they would. Late afternoon on June 25, the President's Foreign Policy Advisor Moldogaziyev told the Charge that he expected President Bakiyev to sign the law ratifying the agreements once it is delivered from Parliament. He could not, however, confirm press reports that the law had been conveyed to the Kyrgyz White House. LITZENBERGER