MANAS: GRANT OF AUTHORITY TO CONCLUDE AGREEMENTS

S E C R E T STATE 035237 E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2019 TAGS: MARR MOPS PGOV PREL KG SUBJECT: MANAS: GRANT OF AUTHORITY TO CONCLUDE AGREEMENTS REF: A. A) STATE 32985 ¶B. B) BISHKEK 297 ¶C. C) BISHKEK 292 ¶D. D) STATE 9012 ¶E. E) BISHKEK 299 ¶F. F) BISHKEK 300 Classified By: SCA DAS George Krol, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) Background: This is an action request; please see paragraphs 3 and 4. Deputy Secretary Steinberg approved C-175 authority on April 9 to negotiate and conclude the status of forces agreement and the agreement specific to the Manas Transit Center (provided that the status of forces agreement is signed first). The State and Defense Department lawyers have made minor edits to the texts agreed upon by both sides in Bishkek on April 4. The new texts of the two agreements and official Russian translations are being sent to Embassy Bishkek on April 9 by e-mail. Ambassador Gfoeller is authorized to sign both agreements (provided that the status of forces agreement is signed first) as soon as the Kyrgyz Government is prepared to sign the agreements. Any proposed changes to the texts of the agreements by the Kyrgyz side should be cleared in Washington prior to signature. ¶2. (S) The Department will also send to Embassy Bishkek the text of a diplomatic note informing the Kyrgyz Government of three new economic and security cooperation initiatives of the U.S. Government (septel). The initiatives are a joint economic and social development fund, and counter narcotics and counter terrorism assistance. They are elements of our February 2 offer for continued U.S. military access to the Manas International Airport. ¶3. (SBU) Action Request: Department requests that the Ambassador sign the status of forces agreement first and the agreement specific to the Manas Transit Center second, aiming to sign both as soon as possible. If the Kyrgyz propose changes to the texts, the Ambassador should report back to Washington immediately. Both original signed and dated agreements should be sent to the Department for the attention of Daphne Cook, L/T, room 5420. ¶4. (C/REL France and Spain) Action Request: Once the agreement is signed, Washington requests that the Ambassador approach the Embassies of France and Spain in Bishkek and brief them at the Ambassadorial level on the agreement. The level of detail shared is left to the Ambassador but should reflect the sensitivity of the agreement and the Kyrgyz Government,s concern for discretion surrounding public knowledge of the agreement. At an appropriate time we will consult in greater detail with Paris and Madrid regarding the agreement and their pending negotiations with the Kyrgyz Government. End Action Requests. CLINTON