U.S. AND ROMANIA REACH AGREEMENTS THAT ENHANCE PARTNERSHIP

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
Hagel, Romania's Defense Chief Reach Significant Agreements
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met with Romania's Minister of Defense Mircea Dusa today at the Pentagon, a meeting that produced a number of significant agreements, which Pentagon Spokesman George Little said will enhance the strong and productive partnership the U.S. enjoys with Romania.

Among the agreements reached Little said, is for Romania to support logistics in and out of Afghanistan, including both personnel and cargo movement.   "Secretary Hagel praised this agreement, which is particularly important as the U.S. prepares to wind down transit center operations at Manas, Kyrgystan next year," Little said in a statement issued after the meeting. "Secretary Hagel highlighted this agreement as a further testament to Romania's steadfast commitment to the ISAF mission and its commitment to regional and international security," he added.

In addition, Little said Hagel thanked Romania for its decision to host the Aegis Ashore missile defense system, emphasizing that the agreement reaffirms and strengthens the collective defense upon which NATO was founded.  "This system represents an important component of the larger European Phased Adaptive Approach and is expected to be operational in 2015."  At Hagel's direction, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Dr. James N. Miller will attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Aegis Ashore system at Deveselu later this month.

Little said Hagel further praised Romania's decision to purchase 12 F-16 aircraft from Portugal. He added that this significant investment in air superiority capabilities will open the door for greater regional collaboration and will be valuable to future NATO and coalition operations.

"Secretary Hagel reaffirmed that Romania is one of the United States' staunchest allies. The two leaders also agreed to look for ways to expand our strong military cooperation as well as to support Romania's efforts to become a leader in the region and in NATO."

U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY BLAKE SPEAKS IN KYRGYZSTAN



Map:  Kyrgyzstan.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Robert O. Blake, Jr.
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
January 17, 2013

Assistant Secretary Blake: Thank you very much, and I’m delighted to be back here in Bishkek. I was very pleased to participate in the second Annual Bilateral Consultations and I want to take this opportunity to thank Deputy Foreign Minister Otorbayev for his leadership and for his very strong partnership.

I also had the opportunity yesterday to meet with his Excellency President Atambayev, Prime Minister Satybaldiyev, and First Deputy Prime Minister Otorbaev.

We have had productive discussions about the broadening scope of bilateral relations between the U.S. and the Kyrgyz Republic as well as about the transitions in Afghanistan and their impact on the Kyrgyz Republic and Central Asia.

I also expressed our strong appreciation for the support the Kyrgyz Republic government has provided to regional security, including its support for the Transit Center at Manas.

I welcomed the Kyrgyz Republic’s work to advance regional economic integration through important projects such as the transport corridors of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program, as well as the CASA 1000 project; its embrace of an open trading system; and its accession to the WTO.

We also discussed a wide range of U.S. assistance programs to the Kyrgyz Republic which include more than $40 million over the last year and more than $1.3 billion since 1992. These totals do not include the considerable economic impact of the Transit Center at Manas which contributed approximately $200 million to the Kyrgyz economy last year alone.

Finally, we had a productive discussion on U.S. support for the Kyrgyz Republic’s democracy, human rights, rule of law and anticorruption efforts. The Kyrgyz Republic’s democracy is a model for the region. It has taken important steps to ensure an inclusive political process whereby civil society and business organizations provide their input on draft laws and government action plans. I urged the government to make progress on issues related to the 2010 violence in southern Kyrgyzstan and I welcomed the announcement of a new national strategy on inter-ethnic relations.

I also want to say that I was privileged to attend a lunch yesterday hosted by Ambassador Spratlen in which we had the opportunity to meet with civil society representatives.

Finally, I just want to take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Spratlen and her great team for the great work that they continue to do to represent the United States in this very important country for the United States.

We would be very glad to take whatever questions you have.

Question: [Through Interpreter]. The question is that maybe you know some experiences in the past from other countries within the United States or outside [inaudible] total success in cases where [inaudible] violence more or less was addressed and results.

Assistant Secretary Blake: I would say that every single case is different so you don’t want to try to apply a cookie-cutter approach to ethnic reconciliation. As I said, we welcomed the President’s efforts to establish an action plan on inter-ethnic issues, but we also talked about the importance of ensuring economic opportunity for not only the citizens of the south but also for all the citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic. And we also talked about the importance of justice and accountability for the crimes that were committed in the course of the June 2010 violence.

Question: [Through Interpreter]. Associated Press, [inaudible]. The first question, what kind of steps the United States has suggested to the Kyrgyz Republic regarding following the agreement term of [inaudible]? Second question, would U.S. join this effort to establish a logistical hub in the place of the Transit Center after 2014?

Assistant Secretary Blake: First of all, I expressed our appreciation to President Atambayev and to the Deputy Foreign Minister for the Kyrgyz Republic’s continued hosting of the Manas Transit Center, which is an important logistics and transportation hub which supports international efforts to establish a stable, prosperous and secure Afghanistan in a stable, secure and prosperous region.

We are engaged in discussions now with the Kyrgyz Republic about the future of the Transit Center, but I don’t want to speculate about the outcome of such discussions. We understand the President’s desire to establish a commercial and logistics hub at Manas and we’ve supported that effort and have given some advice about that.

Question: [Through Interpreter]. President Atambayev ordered [inaudible] 2014 [inaudible] Manas International Airport, and [inaudible] that Kazakhstan is willing to provide the airport [inaudible] for the French Republic to use it to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. So the question is that will the United States be more active in seeing alternative ways to use it for withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The second question is that there was talks that in south Kyrgyzstan there will be training facility open. Do you have anything on that? Any focus on that?

Assistant Secretary Blake: First of all with respect to your question about Manas, as you know, President Karzai visited with President Obama last week. They described the process that is underway now toward a negotiated Bilateral Security Agreement between the United States and Afghanistan that will help to determine the number of troops that the United States might keep on the ground in Afghanistan after 2014. Once those important decisions are made, then we’ll be in a better position to plan for ourselves what kind of facilities we might need either in Afghanistan or in the wider region. Again, I don’t want to speculate on the future of what those might be.

As to your second question, that didn’t come up today in our conversations.

KYRGYSTAN: "THE PREMIER DEMOCRACY IN CENTRAL ASIA"

The Tien Shan Mountains.  From:  CIA World Factbook.

 
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Press Availability with Kyrgyz Republic Media
Remarks
Wendy Sherman
Under Secretary for Political Affairs
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
November 30, 2012

Undersecretary Sherman: Thank you all for being here today. I am very honored and delighted to have been in Kyrgyzstan today and had a series of meetings including with the former President, with the current President, with the Prime Minister, and with members of civil society. Also in these meetings the Foreign Minister, the head of the Defense Council and other officials were present.

The United States wants to make sure that the spotlight is on the premier democracy in Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is a young democracy and has made much progress in a very short period of time. All of the leaders with whom I met today expressed their desire to make more progress. Even in the United States which is a democracy over 200 years old, we are still perfecting our democracy.

The United States also greatly appreciates Kyrgyzstan’s work in partnership with us to bring security and stability and economic development to Afghanistan and to all of Central Asia. I am very grateful for all of the excellent dialogue that I have had today and I return to the United States with many ideas about how to further strengthen our relationship. I’m delighted that Ambassador Spratlen is here to follow up on all that she and I heard today.

I’m delighted to take your questions.

Map:  Kyrgystan.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

 
Media: [Through the Interpreter]. What was the outcome of your meeting today with President Atambayev?

Undersecretary Sherman: I had an excellent conversation with your President. We had a very far-ranging discussion. Everything from the development of this democracy to the economic needs of the country to the partnership with the United States, with our ongoing work together in the region and in the world.

Media: [Through the Interpreter]. To what extent United States is committed to the idea of the New Silk Road and the role of Manas Airport in it?

Undersecretary Sherman: Thank you for raising this question. The United States is very committed to an enduring relationship and presence in Central Asia to work in partnership with Kyrgyzstan and other countries to help with economic development for the people of Central Asia. The New Silk Road is a concept of building networks and trade and development across borders that will benefit everyone. Kyrgyzstan is a very active member of the effort to make this vision real.

One small example was a Women’s Economic Symposium that was hosted here in Bishkek last year. As a result of that literally well over 100 small and medium young entrepreneurs have gotten underway.

As far as the transit center at Manas, we are very grateful that Kyrgyzstan has supported an agreement for this transit center to continue to operate through the 2014 length of the agreement. Not only has it been critical to our effort in Afghanistan, but it has also I believe brought benefit to the people of Kyrgyzstan, both in the fees we pay, the jobs it provides, and the acquisition of local products to operate the center. We have helped to build infrastructure that will belong to Kyrgyzstan for years to come.

Media: [Through the Interpreter]. I have two questions. The first question is about are the United States planning to donate to Kyrgyzstan part of the military or equipment after withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in 2014?

The second question is are the United States planning to provide military assistance to Kyrgyzstan? And what would that military assistance be?

Undersecretary Sherman: I think in the first question you’re referring to what we call excess military equipment. No decisions have been made about that and it’s really premature to discuss that, but it is certainly a discussion that we can have with Kyrgyzstan is there is something that’s appropriate and makes sense. When we do donate excess military equipment it is only non-lethal equipment.

As for military assistance, there is no plan at this time as regards military assistance.

Media: [Through the Interpreter]. My question is related to the son of ex-President Bakayev and we know the United States has been pressing criminal charges against him. Are there any developments in the efforts to extradite him from London?

Undersecretary Sherman: Let me add one thing to the previous question which I wasn’t fully aware of. We do have an Office of Military Cooperation here where we do provide some training and assistance in that regard. So there is an ongoing effort with Kyrgyzstan.

As to your question regarding Maxim Bakayev, the U.S. Department of Justice has a criminal case against him based on his alleged violation of U.S. laws. This is about a specific violation within our jurisdiction and it is strictly a law enforcement issue.

Media: [Through the Interpreter]. Lately we have been having very intensive economic relations between the Kyrgyz Republika and the Russian Federation. With regards to that I would like to ask, several years ago Assistant Secretary Boucher announced the construction of the CASA 1000 project which meant construction of electric power transmission lines in the direction of India and Pakistan. Would you please update us on the development in this area? Because it seems like the regional cooperation has been going horizontal rather than vertical towards those countries, and that in general, could you please give us more information about the economic relations between our countries? Do you envision any large projects coming?

Undersecretary Sherman: My understanding is that Kyrgyzstan very much supports the CASA 1000 project, and that it is moving forward. We are very glad for it because we think it’s a very good example of north/south cooperation. I think these are exactly the kinds of projects that will be integral to the New Silk Road and to ensuring that there is connectivity throughout the region that allows for increased trade, the development of more jobs, and so that young people are assured of a good and prosperous and stable future.

And let me add that we welcome everyone’s investment in Central Asia and in Kyrgyzstan because if it helps develop the country and creates a strong and vibrant democracy with a strong middle class, that will be good for the people of Kyrgyzstan, that will be good for the United States of America to have a strong and vibrant democracy here in Central Asia.

Media: [Through the Interpreter]. There is some information that Russia is joining the project CASA 1000 and I would like to make sure that is it true that’s what good for the region is good for the United States? Is it the same way, what’s good for Russia is good for the United States?

Undersecretary Sherman: Well, that’s probably not always the case but my understanding is that Russia has expressed support for the project and we welcome conversation and we welcome participation. To create north/south connectivity for the region is good for everyone.

Media: [Through the Interpreter]. I know that prior to your visit our administration President’s office has been saying that there might be negotiations about the transit center. Could you give us a little more specifics about which direction the developments could take?

A second question is President Atambayev since his presidency has never been in the United States and has he made an intention to or did he share his plans with you?

Undersecretary Sherman: I think that what I should say about all of this is that we would always welcome of course President Atambayev to come to the United States and just as I’m sure that the President would welcome our President here as well. All presidents have very difficult schedules so we will leave it to them to figure out what they are able to do.

I know you had another part of your questions -- about the transit center.

We greatly appreciate that the President and your country have made a commitment to the transit center to 2014. We will work out together what makes sense into the future. Right now that’s hypothetical. I’m sure that we will all come to an agreement that works first and foremost for Kyrgyzstan.

Media: [Through the Interpreter]. Repeating the question about Maxim Bakayev. Will the United States insist on Maxim Bakayev’s extradition?

Undersecretary Sherman: We have made a request for his extradition. This is a long process. We do have an extradition with the United Kingdom. If we do indeed, he does arrive in the United States at some point he will of course go through our judicial system with all of our appeals. It will also take some time. So there is a long path ahead here, but as I said, we have alleged concerns. This is a Department of Justice matter about a specific violation and we will be following through as we do in our justice system.

Media: [Through the Interpreter]. Did you discuss anything specific with the Secretary of Security Council?

Undersecretary Sherman: No.

Media: [Through the Interpreter]. It’s more for like a personal question. We’ve seen many times how the way Richard Blake travels --

Undersecretary Sherman: Robert.

Media: [Through the Interpreter]. -- as an economy class passenger. He picks up his luggage himself in a very democratic manner. I wanted to check whether you follow the same standards? And in general, are there any VIP [inaudible] for the U.S. officials?

Undersecretary Sherman: We all work very very hard as do I think diplomats in every single country. I am fortunate as an Undersecretary I can get a business class seat. Particularly because when I’m going to walk into a meeting. If I’m on a short distance, however, in the United States, I fly economy class as well. Any place in the United States I fly economy class. So when I’m going on a long distance trip and I have to get off an airplane and walk right into a meeting, then I can fly business class because of my rank. But yes, I carry my own bags. I never check bags because I don’t want them to get lost on an airplane. And for those of you who are women, I always, even if I’m traveling for two weeks, I only take a carry-on suitcase because I’m going to probably be in a different country every single day and nobody’s going to know what I’m going to wear. So I will get bored with my clothes, but I’ll still have only a carry-on suitcase. That’s just something we do.

The other thing is, we work all of the time. On this particular trip I left on a Saturday, I will return on a Saturday. So most of the time my weekends are spent on airplanes. In this one week I’ve been in four countries and five cities in one week.

Media: [Through the Interpreter]. What was the reason for Blake’s [inaudible]?

Undersecretary Sherman: My understanding is that your Foreign Minister had a scheduling conflict with the Organization of Islamic Conference which is certainly a very appropriate reason to reschedule the ABDs. I don’t, there’s no issue here whatsoever. We all have very demanding schedules. We are all juggling our schedules all of the time. And we certainly understand and we have absolutely no question whatsoever that it will be rescheduled and we will continue our very close annual bilateral consultations. Thank you.

　

Kyrgyzstan Locator Map.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV. Over the next few years, the new president manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for himself. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won re-election in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, nationwide protests led to the resignation and expulsion of BAKIEV. His successor, Roza OTUNBAEVA, served as transitional president until Almazbek ATAMBAEV was inaugurated in December 2011. Continuing concerns include: the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, poor interethnic relations, and terrorism.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA FINDS VALUE IN KYRGYZSTAN TRANSIT CENTER

The following Photo at left and excerpt below is from the Department of Defense American Forces Press Service website:

Panetta Cites Value of Transit Center in Kyrgyzstan

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 13, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived here today on his first official visit to Kyrgyzstan, which is home to a transit center for all U.S. troops entering or leaving Afghanistan.

The Transit Center at Manas, near Kyrgyzstan's capital of Bishkek, is critical to the northern distribution network that funnels U.S. forces and equipment into Afghanistan, Panetta said.

That network has been "extremely important in recent months, since our [ground transit routes] have closed in Pakistan," the secretary added.

During his visit, Panetta is scheduled to meet with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambyev and Defense Minister Taalaybeck Omuraliev. The secretary also will visit U.S. troops at the transit center.

Panetta said he will thank the Kyrgyz leaders for their cooperation in allowing the United States to use the transit center and to ensure the relationship can continue into the future.

Officials traveling with Panetta said the Manas center has been the only air facility north of Afghanistan available to U.S. forces since 2001. A previous Kyrgyz administration threatened to oust the Americans in 2009, which led to some "pretty arduous negotiations" and a sharp increase in the amount the U.S. government pays for use of the facility, an official said. Before 2009, the payment was $17.4 million per year; it is now $60 million annually.

A senior defense official said that arrangement is in place through July 2014, and that the secretary will not negotiate any additional use of the facility on this trip. Rather, the official added, the visit is intended to underscore to the Kyrgyz government and to Atambyev, who was inaugurated in December, that the United States government views its relationship with Kyrgyzstan as central to Central Asian regional security.

In 2011, defense officials said, operations at the Transit Center at Manas included 4,800 air refueling sorties transferring 300 million pounds of fuel. The center also supported 3,500 aeromedical evacuations and managed a total flow of 580,000 air passengers traveling into or out of Afghanistan.

Deploying troops fly into Manas on commercial aircraft, then transfer to U.S. military "gray tail" planes for the final leg of their trip to Afghanistan, officials said.