AUTHORITY TO EMPLOY DIRECT CHANNELS TO RESOLVE

S E C R E T STATE 117704 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2019 TAGS: ASEC KLIG PGOV PINR PREL KG SUBJECT: AUTHORITY TO EMPLOY DIRECT CHANNELS TO RESOLVE MALTREATMENT ISSUE REF: BISHKEK 1197 Classified By: DAS George Krol for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). (S) Aware of the importance of protecting locally engaged staff (LES) from host government reprisals, the Department approves Post's request to use the channel established between GRPO and SNB in collaboration with and in support of usual diplomatic channels to address issues connected to the allegations of mistreatment, subject to the following conditions: 1) all meritless legal proceedings against the LES must cease, 2) officials allegedly involved in the mistreatment must be investigated and, if found responsible, held accountable, 3) all Embassy property and papers taken from the LES must be returned to the Embassy and 4) the SNB must treat all Embassy employees in accordance with GoK obligations under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and other applicable legal protections, and must raise any concerns about LES activity directly with the Embassy. The Ambassador should underscore that the USG reserves the prerogative to engage this issue in diplomatic channels, and that the GoK can expect strong pressure in that regard if there is not rapid progress on the above referenced points. CLINTON