DEMARCHE ON MANAS AIRBASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 008443 E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MOPS RS KG SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON MANAS AIRBASE Classified By: EUR A/S Daniel Fried for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). REF: Bishkek 047, Bishkek 085 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Department requests Post express at an appropriate senior Russian government level our serious concerns about press reports of Russian pressure and financial incentives on Kyrgyzstan to close Manas airbase and seek assurances from Russia that Manas should remain open. End Summary. OBJECTIVE -------------- ¶2. (C) Department requests Post express concern about recent media reports appearing in the Russian and Kyrgyz press about pressure Russia is ostensibly exerting and financial incentives it is offering for Kyrgyzstan to close Manas airbase and seek assurances from Russia of its continued support for keeping the Manas base open. If the reports are true, such action on the part of Russia would raise questions about Russia's espoused desire to be a constructive international partner on Afghanistan, since Manas is one of the key logistical lynchpins supporting ISAF efforts in Afghanistan. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶3. (C) Senior Kyrgyz officials told Ambassador Gfoeller January 14 that Russia had offered the Kyrgyz government over 2 billion USD to close Manas Air Base. In addition, Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Vlasov confirmed to Ambassador Gfoeller the details of a $2.5 billion Russian economic assistance package for Kyrgyzstan and indicated that the agreement would be signed during President Bakiyev's February 3 visit to Moscow. [NOTE: Post should not/not share this information with Russian counterparts. END NOTE] This admission follows on the heels of several media reports in the Russian and Kyrgyz press, including most recently, the January 14 article appearing in the online publication Novyy region, "For the Sake of Friendship with Russia, Kyrgyzstan could close the U.S. airbase" (http://www.nr2.ru/inworld/215482.html). If Russia is pressuring the Kyrgyz government to close Manas, Russia's actions would contradict numerous statements we have heard from GOR officials on Russia's desire to play a more significant role as an international partner vis--vis Afghanistan, including facilitating development of the Northern distribution route through the use of the NATO transit arrangement. POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Post should report results of efforts by cable to EUR/RUS Howard Solomon or contact him at (202) 647- 6763 or via e-mail for any necessary further background information. End text. CLINTON