Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE23954
2009-03-13 13:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Secretary of State
Cable title:
INFORMING ISAF OF U.S. PLANS REGARDING MANAS AIR
how-toP 131320Z MAR 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO ALL NATO POST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI PRIORITY AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY DUBLIN PRIORITY AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PRIORITY AMEMBASSY KYIV PRIORITY AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE PRIORITY AMEMBASSY SKOPJE PRIORITY AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TIRANA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY VIENNA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY AMEMBASSY ZAGREB PRIORITY USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY INFO AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 023954
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF
SUBJECT: INFORMING ISAF OF U.S. PLANS REGARDING MANAS AIR
BASE
REF: A. STATE 17012
B. BISHKEK 180
Classified By: Classified By: EUR A/S Daniel Fried
for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVE
---------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 023954
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF
SUBJECT: INFORMING ISAF OF U.S. PLANS REGARDING MANAS AIR
BASE
REF: A. STATE 17012
¶B. BISHKEK 180
Classified By: Classified By: EUR A/S Daniel Fried
for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVE
--------------
¶1. (SBU) Action addressees at their discretion may draw on
the points outlined in para 3 below to inform International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) member governments of U.S.
plans regarding the possible loss of access to Manas Air Base
in Kyrgyzstan.
BACKGROUND
--------------
¶2. (SBU) On February 3, during a visit to Moscow, Kyrgyz
President Bakiyev announced his intention to terminate U.S.
access to Manas Air Base. On February 20, following the
Kyrgyz parliament's approval of that decision, the Government
of Kyrgyzstan formally notified us it was abrogating our 2001
agreement. According to that agreement, we have 180 days from
that date to withdraw our personnel and assets. On March 6,
the Kyrgyz parliament also abrogated its agreements with
eleven other coalition partners. On March 2, however,
President Bakiyev indicated to us a willingness to discuss a
continued U.S. presence at Manas. We have agreed to continue
discussions with the Kyrgyz on the matter.
TALKING POINTS
--------------
¶3. (C/REL ISAF) Action addressees at their discretion may
draw on the following talking points to inform governments of
ISAF troop contributing nations about U.S. plans regarding
the possible loss of access to Manas Air Base.
- (SBU) Manas Air Base is important to international
operations in Afghanistan, but it is not irreplaceable.
- (SBU) There are alternative facilities that can make up for
the loss of the Manas facility.
- (SBU) The Kyrgyz government has indicated a willingness to
discuss possible continuation of a U.S. presence in Manas.
We note President Bakiyev's public statements to this effect
to the BBC on March 4.
- (SBU) We are open to discussing this with the Kyrgyz
government but are prepared to depart in accordance with our
bilateral agreement.
- (C/REL ISAF) We are minimizing public comments on the
possibility of such discussions with the Kyrgyz and we ask
that you do the same.
End Points
CLINTON