Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BISHKEK828
2009-07-28 12:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
KYRGYZ FOREIGN MINISTER CONCERNED ABOUT HATFIELD
how-toVZCZCXYZ0009 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHEK #0828 2091239 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 281239Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2520 INFO RHMFISS/USCENTAF SHAW AFB SC RUEAHQA/HQ USAF WASHDC RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000828
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ FOREIGN MINISTER CONCERNED ABOUT HATFIELD
NEWS
REF: STATE 78275
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Gregory Winstead, Reason 1.4 (b)
and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000828
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ FOREIGN MINISTER CONCERNED ABOUT HATFIELD
NEWS
REF: STATE 78275
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Gregory Winstead, Reason 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) Charge delivered reftel points to Foreign Minister
Sarbayev on July 28. FM Sarbayev expressed his concern at
the decision not to prosecute Senior Airman Hatfield, adding
that he could not welcome the decision. Sarbayev told the
Charge that he felt that U.S. was not fulfilling its
commitments, while Kyrgyzstan had. He stated that he had
believed that the Hatfield case would be fully resolved in a
criminal conviction. Sarbayev did admit that the Hatfield
decision would not ultimately damage U.S.-Kyrgyzstan
bilateral relations, adding that it might affect Kyrgyz
society's view of the United States.
2. (C) Sarbayev indicated that the Hatfield decision would
increase the pressure on the Kyrgyz government from groups
inside and outside the government, which would view the
decision as a victory. (Note: His comment seemed designed
to include foreign countries that have been opposed to the
presence of U.S. personnel at Manas. End Note.) He said
these groups would actively use this decision against the
government and the Manas Transit Center. He added that the
decision would also raise discontent in Kyrgyz society.
Sarbayev reiterated that the Hatfield case was important for
the Kyrgyz government and had been a main point in the Manas
Trasit Center negotiations, and in recent discussions between
senior U.S. officials and President Bakiyev.
3. (C) Sarbayev questioned the timing of the Hatfield
decision, observing that the Manas Transit Center agreement
had just been signed. He told the Charge that based on his
discussions during the Transit Center negotiations, he had
been "promised" that a criminal case would be brought against
Hatfield. He added that he had lobbied hard in Parliament
for the ratification of the agreement based upon his
understanding that Hatfield would be prosecuted. Sarbaev
told the Charge that he wished the Hatfield process had gone
on longer in order to delay this "bad" decision.
4. (C) Sarbayev had no comment to the news that the
Secretary of Defense had authorized an additional payment of
$250,000 to Mrs. Ivanova.
WINSTEAD
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ FOREIGN MINISTER CONCERNED ABOUT HATFIELD
NEWS
REF: STATE 78275
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Gregory Winstead, Reason 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) Charge delivered reftel points to Foreign Minister
Sarbayev on July 28. FM Sarbayev expressed his concern at
the decision not to prosecute Senior Airman Hatfield, adding
that he could not welcome the decision. Sarbayev told the
Charge that he felt that U.S. was not fulfilling its
commitments, while Kyrgyzstan had. He stated that he had
believed that the Hatfield case would be fully resolved in a
criminal conviction. Sarbayev did admit that the Hatfield
decision would not ultimately damage U.S.-Kyrgyzstan
bilateral relations, adding that it might affect Kyrgyz
society's view of the United States.
2. (C) Sarbayev indicated that the Hatfield decision would
increase the pressure on the Kyrgyz government from groups
inside and outside the government, which would view the
decision as a victory. (Note: His comment seemed designed
to include foreign countries that have been opposed to the
presence of U.S. personnel at Manas. End Note.) He said
these groups would actively use this decision against the
government and the Manas Transit Center. He added that the
decision would also raise discontent in Kyrgyz society.
Sarbayev reiterated that the Hatfield case was important for
the Kyrgyz government and had been a main point in the Manas
Trasit Center negotiations, and in recent discussions between
senior U.S. officials and President Bakiyev.
3. (C) Sarbayev questioned the timing of the Hatfield
decision, observing that the Manas Transit Center agreement
had just been signed. He told the Charge that based on his
discussions during the Transit Center negotiations, he had
been "promised" that a criminal case would be brought against
Hatfield. He added that he had lobbied hard in Parliament
for the ratification of the agreement based upon his
understanding that Hatfield would be prosecuted. Sarbaev
told the Charge that he wished the Hatfield process had gone
on longer in order to delay this "bad" decision.
4. (C) Sarbayev had no comment to the news that the
Secretary of Defense had authorized an additional payment of
$250,000 to Mrs. Ivanova.
WINSTEAD