

Currently released so far... 12900 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AE
ASEC
AS
AR
AMGT
AFIN
AORC
AU
AG
AF
APER
ABLD
ADCO
ABUD
AM
AID
AJ
AEMR
AMED
AL
ASUP
AN
AIT
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AA
AGMT
AINF
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AY
AADP
ARF
ACS
AGR
AMCHAMS
AECL
AUC
APEC
APECO
AFGHANISTAN
ACAO
ASEAN
ADM
AGAO
AND
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
AROC
APCS
AORG
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AZ
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
BR
BO
BA
BM
BL
BH
BK
BEXP
BILAT
BTIO
BF
BU
BD
BY
BE
BG
BB
BBSR
BT
BRUSSELS
BP
BX
BC
BIDEN
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CA
CS
CO
CD
CR
CPAS
CDG
CI
CDC
CBW
CU
CVIS
CE
CONS
CH
CMGT
CASC
CY
CW
CG
CJAN
CIDA
CODEL
CWC
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CFED
CLINTON
CAC
CL
CACS
CIC
CHR
CAPC
CM
CT
CTR
COM
CROS
CN
COPUOS
CV
CF
CARSON
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
CYPRUS
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EFIN
ECON
ETRD
EAID
EC
EU
EUN
EINV
EG
ETTC
EIND
ELAB
EAGR
ECIN
EINT
ENRG
EFIS
ELTN
EAIR
EPET
EZ
ET
ENERG
ECPS
EWWT
EI
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ER
ES
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ECINECONCS
ELN
EFTA
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
ENIV
ESA
EPA
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUR
ECUN
EXIM
EK
EUREM
ECONOMY
EUMEM
ERNG
EFINECONCS
EAIDS
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
IQ
IR
IS
IN
IA
IC
IZ
ICRC
ID
IDA
IT
IO
IAEA
ICJ
ICAO
IV
IBRD
IMF
IAHRC
IWC
ILO
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
ICTY
INRB
ITALY
IBET
IL
INTELSAT
ISRAELI
IMO
IDP
ICTR
ITRA
IRC
IRAQI
IEFIN
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
ISRAEL
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
IACI
INDO
KPAO
KMDR
KCOR
KNNP
KJUS
KCRM
KDEM
KVPR
KTFN
KPRP
KTIP
KSCA
KSUM
KTEX
KIDE
KIRF
KV
KTIA
KN
KG
KFRD
KWMN
KUNR
KISL
KU
KGHG
KPKO
KOMS
KPAL
KIPR
KMCA
KOMC
KRVC
KSEP
KAWC
KOLY
KWBG
KACT
KFLO
KHIV
KZ
KGIC
KBCT
KDRG
KBTR
KCFE
KE
KHLS
KMPI
KAWK
KPWR
KIRC
KRAD
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLU
KPLS
KRIM
KSTH
KDDG
KPRV
KICC
KS
KSAF
KBIO
KREC
KCGC
KCIP
KTDB
KWAC
KPAI
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KSTC
KMFO
KID
KNAR
KMIG
KVRP
KNEI
KGIT
KNSD
KHDP
KSAC
KWMM
KR
KCOM
KAID
KENV
KVIR
KHSA
KO
KCRS
KPOA
KTER
KFIN
KSPR
KTBT
KX
KCMR
KMOC
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KOCI
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KPIR
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
MARR
MOPS
MUCN
MCAP
MNUC
MEPP
MTCRE
MASS
MO
MIL
MX
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTCR
MK
MG
MA
MY
MU
ML
MPS
MW
MD
MARAD
MC
MR
MT
MTRE
MASC
MRCRE
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MASSMNUC
NI
NZ
NL
NO
NPT
NATO
NS
NU
NP
NPA
NSFO
NDP
NT
NW
NASA
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NG
NATIONAL
NSSP
NV
NSF
NK
NA
NEW
NPG
NR
NGO
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NSC
OIIP
OPRC
OTRA
OEXC
OREP
OSCE
OVIP
OPAD
OBSP
OECD
OFFICIALS
OAS
OPDC
ODIP
OPCW
OES
OFDP
OPIC
OCS
OIC
OHUM
OSCI
OVP
ODC
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PINR
PGOV
PARM
PE
PTER
PHUM
PO
PINS
PREF
PK
PM
POL
PBTS
PNAT
PHSA
PAS
PA
PL
PGIV
PHUMPREL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PROP
PP
PINL
PBT
PTBS
PG
PINF
PRL
PALESTINIAN
PSEPC
POSTS
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PGOC
PNR
PREFA
PMIL
POLITICS
POLICY
PROV
PBIO
PREO
PAO
PDOV
PGOF
POV
PCI
PRAM
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PJUS
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
RU
RS
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
RO
RW
RCMP
RSO
RP
RM
ROOD
RFE
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RF
RELATIONS
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
SENV
SY
SNAR
SCUL
SP
SF
SW
SOCI
SU
SMIG
SO
SA
SR
SZ
SI
SC
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SK
SH
SNARCS
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SG
SL
SYRIA
SIPRS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SWE
SYR
SEN
SCRS
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SENVKGHG
SANC
SHI
SHUM
TU
TSPA
TBIO
TS
TRGY
TINT
TPHY
TN
TW
TH
TZ
TSPL
TP
TBID
TI
TF
TD
TT
TNGD
TL
TC
THPY
TIP
TX
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
TR
UK
UNSC
UNGA
UNESCO
UNHRC
UP
UN
USTR
US
UNDC
UY
UNICEF
UNDP
UNMIK
UNAUS
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
UG
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
UNEP
USEU
UZ
UNCND
USUN
UNCHR
USNC
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 10BISHKEK91, KYRGYZSTAN: AMBASSADOR AND FM DISCUSS ICG VISA
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #10BISHKEK91.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
10BISHKEK91 | 2010-02-05 08:47 | 2011-05-05 09:30 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Bishkek |
VZCZCXRO7324
OO RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW
DE RUEHEK #0091/01 0360847
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 050847Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3016
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA IMMEDIATE 0829
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 1637
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 3695
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 3088
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE IMMEDIATE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BISHKEK 000091
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2020
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR MARR KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: AMBASSADOR AND FM DISCUSS ICG VISA
REFUSAL, MANAS TRANIST CENTER, AND "BISHKEK INITIATIVE"
REF: BISHKEK 86
Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana C. Gfoeller, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).
¶1. (C) Summary: In a cordial meeting, Ambassador Gfoeller
and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Kadyrbek Sarbayev discussed the
denial of a visa extension to the International Crisis
Group's Central Asia Project Director Paul Quinn-Judge by the
MFA. The Ambassador expressed concern at the decision and
noted that ICG was a respected international research
organization. Sarbayev said that he was unaware of the case,
but promised to be helpful on this issue. The Ambassador
reviewed the status of the Transit Center agreement
commitments, noting the positive progress made over the last
six months. Sarbayev expressed satisfaction at the progress,
noting that the information was timely since he would soon
have to brief Parliament on the Transit Center. Sarbayev
talked about the Istanbul and London conferences on
Afghanistan, calling both "positive." He highlighted his
efforts to garner support for President Bakiyev's "Bishkek
Initiative," which he said several countries had expressed
interest in. Sarbayev strongly hinted that the Russians had
been telling the Kyrgyz at the conferences not to trust the
Americans, who would soon "cut and run from Afghanistan as
they did from Vietnam." However, he assured the Ambassador
that he did not believe this. The Ambassador also raised the
Quinn-Judge visa issue with the Head of the Presidential
Secretariat, Oksana Malevanaya, who said that the problem had
arisen because of Quinn-Judge's use of a shady Chinese
company as a visa intermediary. She promised that he would
have no difficulties if he applies directly. End Summary.
¶2. (C) On February 2 Ambassador Gfoeller met with Kyrgyz
Foreign Minister Sarbayev to review a variety of bilateral
issues, including the Transit Center agreement commitments
and the upcoming Annual Bilateral Consultations. A relaxed
and friendly Sarbayev officially agreed to hold the ABCs on
April 8-9 in Washington, adding that he looked forward to the
discussions, including on Human Rights. Sarbayev told the
Ambassador that Maxim Bakiyev, head of the Central Agency for
Development, Investment and Innovation, would lead a Kyrgyz
government delegation to Brussels for official meetings with
the European Union in February. In January, Bakiyev led a
government delegation to China (reftel).
ICG Visa Refusal
----------------
¶3. (C) The Ambassador raised the visa case of Paul
Quinn-Judge, International Crisis Group's (ICG) Central Asia
Project Director based in Bishkek. On January 31, the Kyrgyz
Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Quinn-Judge that his
one-year visa extension had been denied based on unspecified
information from the National Security Service and that he
had to leave Kyrgyzstan by February 8. The Ambassador
expressed concern about this decision and emphasized that ICG
was a reputable research organization with a high-profile
Board of Directors. The Ambassador noted that refusing
Quinn-Judge a visa would not help Kyrgyzstan's efforts to
promote a positive international image. The Foreign Minister
was unaware of the case, but said that he would look into the
issue immediately and would help. The Minister's assistants
subsequently telephoned the Embassy looking for more details
on Quinn-Judge's visa case.
¶4. (C) In two separate conversations, the Ambassador also
discussed the issue with Head of the Presidential Secretariat
Oksana Malevanaya. In the first, Malevanaya, a personal
acquaintance of Quinn-Judge, said that she liked and
respected Quinn-Judge and would do all she could to reverse
the decision. In the second, (reported septel) Malevanaya
BISHKEK 00000091 002 OF 003
reported the results of her inquiries. She said that the
National Security Service had quashed Quinn-Judge's visa, not
because they have a problem with him, but because they have a
problem with the Chinese firm "Antay" that he used to handle
his visa application. If Quinn-Judge reapplies for the visa
himself, without using Antay, Malevanaya promised, his visa
will be approved.
TRANSIT CENTER COMMITMENTS
--------------------------
¶5. (C) The Ambassador and Foreign Minister also reviewed the
status of the commitments outlined in the Transit Center
agreement, highlighting the progress on finalizing a joint
agreement on the EDF and boosting U.S. assistance and
cooperation on counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics. The
Ambassador noted that the final terms for establishing joint
manning of entry control points at the Transit Center at
Manas International Airport were in the final stages of
discussion and that an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing
Agreement would enable the U.S. to provide support for the
Kyrgyz Internal Forces that have been selected to provide
security at Manas. The Ambassador also updated Sarbayev on
the parking ramp project and the air traffic control system.
Sarbayev agreed to meet with Brigadier General Joseph Lanni,
Commander of the Air Force Security Assistance Center, on
February 8 during his visit to Bishkek.
¶6. (C) Sarbayev thanked the Ambassador for the information on
the projects connected to the Transit Center. He noted that
much progress has been made on fulfilling the commitments and
called the update "useful" as he will soon need to brief
Parliament on the status of the Transit Center agreement.
BISHKEK INITIATIVE & AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCES
--------------------------------------------
¶7. (C) Sarbayev briefed the Ambassador on his participation
at the conferences on Afghanistan in Istanbul and London. He
said that at both conferences he discussed with many
different government representatives, including from the
U.S., President Bakiyev's "Bishkek Initiative." Calling the
concept "flexible," he provided the Ambassador with the
latest version of the "Bishkek Initiative" concept paper. He
called both conferences successful, noting that the Turkey
conference was more regionally focused than London. Sarbayev
highlighted that the "Bishkek Initiative" was not intended to
replace other efforts or conferences on Afghanistan, but
rather provide a forum for experts to discuss important
international and regional issues.
¶8. (C) Sarbayev said that many of the elements of the
"Bishkek Initiative" had been included in the final Istanbul
conference statement. One proposal from the Turkey summit
was to create a "Minds Center," which Sarbayev wanted to be
based in Bishkek, for experts to come together and discuss
key regional issues, including the particular social,
political, religious, and ethnic elements of Afghan society.
At the London conference, Sarbayev said that Lithuania, the
2012 OSCE Chair, supported the "Bishkek Initiative" and that
representatives from the Lithuanian government planned to
visit Bishkek to review and discuss ideas for cooperation.
He also said that Kazakhstan, the current OSCE Chair, was
interested in using some elements of the "Bishkek Initiative."
¶9. (C) Following the London conference, Sarbayev said that he
was pleased to hear that the U.S. would gradually "transfer"
control of Afghanistan to the Afghan government rather than
completely withdrawing and leaving the country without clear
direction. He noted that there were "skeptics" at both
conferences - he strongly implied the Russians - who kept
warning the Kyrgyz not to trust the Americans on Afghanistan,
BISHKEK 00000091 003 OF 003
"where soon enough they will cut and run, just like they did
in Vietnam." However, he emphasized that he personally did
not believe this, but rather felt the Karzai government will
be ready and able to take control after a smooth hand-over
from the Americans. He called the creation of a
"Re-Integration Fund," initially funded with $500 million, an
important moment and felt that discussions with all parties
in Afghanistan, including the Taliban, could be fruitful for
a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Sarbayev said that he
looked forward to discussing the "Bishkek Initiative" and
other regional and Central Asian issues at the upcoming
U.S.-Kyrgyzstan Annual Bilateral ConsultationCKw_)`QETAQf
COMMENT
-------
¶10. (C) The "Bishkek Initiative" continues to live on despite
the numerous other international fora, conferences, and
initiatives on Afghanistan. The "Bishkek Initiative" will
indeed need to be "flexible" if Sarbayev is going to save
this President Bakiyev supported initiative from other
countries' poaching of ideas and concepts. Kyrgyzstan is
truly interested in earning international respect, especially
since it is the only country in Central Asia to host a
U.S.-operated military Transit Center. It is noteworthy that
in this very cordial meeting Sarbayev did not raise Kyrgyz
interests in the Northern Distribution Network (as he usually
does) or even hint at the upcoming Transit Center renewal
deadline.
GFOELLER
=======================CABLE ENDS============================