New Kyrgyzstan president calls for closure of U.S. Air base

[Lankan Ranger]

New Kyrgyzstan president calls for closure of U.S. Air base

Kyrgyzstan’s President-elect Almazbek Atambayev has called for the closure of the United States’ airbase at Manas in the central Asian republic.

“I don’t think the base at Manas guarantees the security of our country. I would not want to see another country carry out a retaliatory strike against the base. A civil airport is a civil object, and it should remain so,” he said.

Kyrgyzstan “would observe all international agreements,” he stressed, but when the current Manas base agreement expires in 2014, the American facility there should go.

Kyrgyzstan could set up a transport hub for Afghanistan for “passage of civilian traffic, maybe together with Russia,” Atambayev said.

“There is no political game here. It’s not really very good to arrive at the country’s main airport and see military equipment there,” he said at his first press conference after preliminary presidential election results were announced on Sunday.

With 99.96 percent of the ballots counted on Sunday, Atambayev won the election with 63.24 percent of the vote. His nearest rival was the leader of the United Kyrgyzstan party Adakhan Madumarov, with 14.76 percent.

The Manas base was set up near the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek in 2001 in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in America to support military operations against the Taliban in Afghanistan. The facility remains key to supply operations for the ongoing military campaign there.

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Omurbek Babanov has said previously that the future of the base as a transit point for U.S. military cargo should be decided by the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a grouping of Central Asian states including several former Soviet Republics.

New Kyrgyz president calls for closure of U.S. air base | Defense | RIA Novosti

 

[crimemaster_gogo]

The SCO effect.

 

[Sasquatch]

The SCO effect.

Russia is gaining more influence within Central Asia, the Eurasian Union Putin Plans Central Asia will be apart of.

 

[DV RULES]

Russia to Clear Military Base Lease Debt with Kyrgyzstan


The Kremlin confirmed on Saturday that Russia would fully pay off its $15-million debt to Kyrgyzstan for leasing military facilities there.

Earlier in the day, Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev, currently on a visit to Moscow, said in a radio interview that Russia was ready to pay off its debts for the lease of the Kant air base and several smaller military facilities “within ten days.”

“From its side, Russia has confirmed its readiness to pay for the lease and operation of infrastructure facilities in Kyrgyzstan (about $15 million),” the Kremlin said in a statement.

Both Russia and the United State have important military bases in the country. Kyrgyz media said Washington has paid its lease “without any delays.”

Russia has not paid "the measly rent" for its Kant air base for four years, Atambayev told Ekho Moskvy radio. He also complained that Russia did not meet its obligations to train Kyrgyz pilots.

Atambayev said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had been kept in the dark about the debt and that he instructed the Defense Ministry to pay it off during talks between the two leaders on Friday.

The Kremlin said in its statement Kyrgyzstan’s $493-million debt to Russia was “a more complicated issue.” However, it said, there is “understanding” on the Russian side of the “difficulties faced by our partners because of the complicated financial and economic situation in Kyrgyzstan.” Russia is “ready” to consider various options that would allow Bishkek to pay off its debts to Russia, the statement said.

U.S. base to be shut down after 2014

In his interview with Ekho Moskvy, Atambayev also said the U.S. air base at Manas will not stay in Kyrgyzstan after its lease expires in 2014. The base is a key strategic staging post for the U.S. military in Afghanistan.

"Just look at the situation with the U.S. and Iran. Iran possesses missiles that can hit targets thousands of kilometers away," Atambayev said. "They may target Manas, but what if they miss?"

On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich did not rule out that the United States may use the facility to launch a military strike against Iran. The U.S. Ambassador in Moscow, Michael McFaul, later dismissed the idea.


Russia to Clear Military Base Lease Debt with Kyrgyzstan | Defense | RIA Novosti

 

[DV RULES]

US base in Kyrgyzstan cannot be used against Iran -- Atambayev


MOSCOW, February 25 (Itar-Tass) —— The U.S. air base in Kyrgyzstan cannot be used against Iran, Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev said.

He stressed that the U.S. base at Bishkek’s airport “cannot go beyond the mandate” which “allows support to an operation only if it is carried out in Afghanistan”.

Atambayev, who is in Russia on a two-day working visit, said on Saturday, February 25, that if there is a possible conflict between the United States and Iran, Tehran can deliver a missile strike at American facilities in Kyrgyzstan.

“I have said many times that there must be no military facilities at a civilian airport,” the president pointed out.

He noted that the American military should leave Bishkek’s airport by 2014.

Transit Centre at Manas (formerly Manas Air Base and unofficially Ganci Air Base) is a United States military installation at Manas International Airport, near Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is primarily operated by the US Air Force.

The base was opened in December 2001 to support US military operations in the ongoing war in Afghanistan. It has hosted forces from several other International Security Assistance Force member states as well. The base is a transit point for U.S. military personnel coming and going from Afghanistan. The base has good recreation facilities for soldiers (internet cafes, wireless internet, pool tables, free video games, telephones to DSN lines that allow a coalition forces to call their homes at little or no cost). The base has a large dining facility, gymnasium and a chapel. There is even a library where books and magazines are available for the active duty airmen there.

Several events, such as the shooting of a local civilian and rumours of fuel dumping, have led to strained relations with some of the local population. Regional powers such as Russia and China have been pushing for the closure of the base since 2005.

ITAR-TASS : US base in Kyrgyzstan cannot be used against Iran -- Atambayev

 

[Tshering22]

SCO totally behind this. With Russians offering Kyrgystan goodies, there's no reasons at all why a former USSR state would want a US base. Although this would be a severe blow to the US plans for permanent bases in CAR region. Wonder what's the country planning as an alternative.

 

[shiv]

US really doesn't need any bases in CAR to support an attack on IRAN. It would have been much more easier though.

 

[Tshering22]

US really doesn't need any bases in CAR to support an attack on IRAN. It would have been much more easier though.

It is not just about Iran dude. Its about the entire region. CAR is like a satellite location from where entire Asia can be covered:

- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- China
- us
- Iran

etc.

Also with the recent collision course between Pakistanis and US, CAR would be a vital route to supply US troops with equipment.

 

[Sasquatch]

Good to see this SCO.

 

[Deepak123]

Also with the recent collision course between Pakistanis and US, CAR would be a vital route to supply US troops with equipment.

It seems Russians are helping Americans with supply route because Russian, Iranians, Indians, CAR, Chinese wants Taliban-free Afghanistan in the region but won't allow Americans to have permanent presence in the region and this attitude of Russians is really awesome helping Americans as well as restricting their presence also.

 

[soldierofallah]

Some sweet news after a long. there r only to news reports i luv the best. 1 - the us failure in this and second the death of nato n us cowards in afghanistan.