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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Kyrgyzstan says it's open to talks on US troops
2009-03-05
Kyrgyzstan is willing to negotiate a new deal allowing American troops to operate there despite its recent decision to evict the U.S. from an air base essential to the war in Afghanistan, the president's spokesman said Thursday.

The Central Asian nation last month ordered the United States to vacate the Manas air base within six months. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced the closure shortly after Russia pledged $2.15 billion in aid and loans for impoverished former Soviet nation.
So either Vlad's check failed to clear or the Kyrgis think they can play both sides ...
Presidential spokesman Almaz Turdumamatov said the decision on Manas would not be changed but indicated that a separate arrangement allowing U.S. troops in the country could be negotiated. "The decision on the base is final and by this year every last American soldier will have left the territory of Kyrgyzstan," he said. "Notwithstanding, the doors for negotiation with the United States are open and we are prepared to consider a new agreement."

The base is a transit point for 15,000 troops and 500 tons of cargo each month to and from Afghanistan. Bakiyev had complained that the United States ignored repeated demands for an increase on the $17.4 million paid in annual rent for the base. The move to revoke the basing agreement with the United States was later overwhelmingly backed by parliament and signed into law.

Losing Manas poses a serious challenge to President Barack Obama's plan to send up to 30,000 more American forces into Afghanistan this year to fight surging Taliban and al-Qaida violence.

Bakiyev told the British Broadcasting Corp. that; "We are ready for any new proposals from the US government aimed at stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan."
Posted by:ed

#1  They should talk to the Puerto Ricans and ask them how well that Vieques thing worked out. It got real quiet down there after Roosevelt Roads closed down and they found out that the gunnery range would become a wilderness preserve because no one was willing to pay to find and defuse all the UXB. When Uncle Sugar leaves, he leaves.
Posted by: rwv   2009-03-05 23:49  

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