Kyrgyzstan To Close American Airbase, Russia moves

[maximus]

Sunday, January 18, 2009
BISHKEK: Kyrgystan will order the closure of a US military airbase used to support operations in Afghanistan ‘in a matter of days’ under pressure from Russia, a senior Kyrgyz official told AFP.

“The presidential decree on the annulment of the agreement with the United States is already prepared. In a matter of days it will be published in the Kyrgyz media,” the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official said Russia had urged Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to announce the closure of the base in exchange for financial help to the cash-strapped Central Asian nation.

Russian officials have discussed extending Kyrgyzstan a 300-million-dollar loan as well as $1.7 billion of investment in the energy sector of the ex-Soviet republic.

“In exchange for such a large loan the Kremlin asked Bakiyev to voice the decision about the pull-out of the US airbase from Kyrgyzstan before his official visit to Moscow,” the official said.

Bakiyev’s press service has said he will visit Moscow on February 3. Russia has sought the closure of the base, which is a symbol of US influence in post-Soviet Central Asia, a region long dominated by Moscow.

Kyrgyz officials said in December that they were preparing to close the base, located at Manas outside the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, but the United States denied that there were any plans to do so.

The base is home to about 1,200 foreign military personnel, mainly from the United States, and acts as a staging post for operations in Afghanistan, located to the south.

It was opened after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks to support US-led operations in Afghanistan.

In recent months there have been a number of street demonstrations demanding the closure of the base, which is next to the country’s main international airport.

There have been tensions with the local population. A US guard shot dead a Kyrgyz truck driver in 2006 in what US officials said was self-defence.

Source: Kyrgyzstan to close American airbase

I guess that's one less supply route...

 

[Beskar]

Russia's neighbourhood, Russia's authority. Another swift kick in the rear for the U.S by the Russians.

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

Mosocow is on its way up now.
I think money they earned from caspion oil is really making them feel strong

 

[metalfalcon]

I like it, It was NATO's new supply Route right ? (correct me if i am mistaken).

Time for Russia to play the same game USA played against her in 80's..........

The game is Still onnnnnnn

 

[Moscow]

I like it, It was NATO's new supply Route right ? (correct me if i am mistaken).

Time for Russia to play the same game USA played against her in 80's..........

The game is Still onnnnnnn

yes so does it seem , the game i still on.

 

[leonblack08]

Excellent

 

[ejaz007]

Kyrgyzstan MPs approve US airbase closure

* Washington will be given 180 days to wrap up operations at Manas airbase ‘once all the procedures are over’

BISHKEK: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to approve a government proposal to close a US airbase in the Central Asian nation which is a transit point for US-led fighting in nearby Afghanistan.

The decision was passed by 78 votes to 1 against by the legislature dominated by the ruling Ak Zhol party.

The closing of Manas, the last remaining US air base in Central Asia, poses a challenge to new US President Barack Obama’s plans to send additional troops to Afghanistan to boost NATO and US military efforts to defeat Taliban insurgents.

It also comes at a time of heightened rivalry between Moscow and Washington for control of Central Asia, a vast former Soviet region still seen by Russia as part of its traditional sphere of interest.

Wrap up: “Once all the procedures are over, an official eviction vote will be sent and after that the United States will be given 180 days to wrap up operations at the air base,” Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Kadyrbek Sarbayev told journalists after the vote.

He could not say when President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was expected to sign the approved decision into law but under Kyrgyz that should happen within a month.

Bakiyev announced the closure plans this month after accepting more than $2 billion in aid and credit from traditional ally Russia. He has accused Washington of refusing to pay more rent for use of the base.

Russia has an airbase of its own in Kyrgyzstan, located in Kant just a few dozens kilometres away from Manas.

The United States has been looking at alternative supply lines to landlocked Afghanistan. The parliament’s move drew a mixed reaction from Bishkek’s streets.

“Those who wanted the base closed don’t know what they’re talking about. The Kyrgyz can’t live alone,” said Pavel, a former base employee and now a taxi driver, who only gave his first name.

“The economy is not developing. They need a big brother – be it Russia, America or someone else.”

But 54-year-old Vladimir Morozov told AFP, “I’m very happy that in the end our capital will be rid of the Americans. They behaved very badly, like they owned the place.”

“We should only keep company with and believe Russia.”

Kyrgyzstan’s opposition has criticised Bakiyev for his decision and accused him of selling out to Russia. Moscow and Kyrgyzstan have denied any connection between the Russian financial package and Bakiyev’s decision.

“This $2 billion has been paid in order to convince Kyrgyzstan to close the base,” said Bakyt Beshimov, an opposition politician. “I am saddened by the fact that Kyrgyzstan’s image has now been so seriously tarnished.” agencies

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