Kyrgyzstan will adhere to its position regarding the extension of the "Manas" air base lease, KyrTAG reports on Wednesday referring to the Kyrgyz President's press service. This statement was made by the President of Kyrgyzstan, Almazbek Atambayev, during the meeting with U.S. State Department representative Robert Blake, visiting the country.
| Apparently the Russians continue to apply pressure to close Manas. |
"After the expiration of the agreement on the placement of a U.S. air base in Kyrgyzstan in 2014, the "Manas" airport should not be used for military purposes", president highlighted.
The Transit Centre, formerly called the air base was opened at Manas international airport in late 2001. The centre is a major logistics hub for transportation of goods and the antiterrorist coalition forces to Afghanistan. An agreement on the placement of a U.S. air base in Kyrgyzstan is valid until 2014. |