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Kyrgyzstan defends US base move | Kyrgyzstan defends US base move |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Kyrgyzstan has denied that its plan to shut a key US air base is linked to a big aid package from Russia. | Kyrgyzstan has denied that its plan to shut a key US air base is linked to a big aid package from Russia. |
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov explained that Washington had not paid enough for the use of the Manas base. | Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov explained that Washington had not paid enough for the use of the Manas base. |
The closure plan was announced earlier this week, after Russia had promised Kyrgyzstan $2bn (£1.4bn) in aid. Kyrgyz MPs will vote on the issue this month. | |
The Pentagon said it was still in talks about the base, which supports US and Nato operations in Afghanistan. | The Pentagon said it was still in talks about the base, which supports US and Nato operations in Afghanistan. |
"This is something that the US government continues to discuss with Kyrgyzstan officials," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. | "This is something that the US government continues to discuss with Kyrgyzstan officials," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. |
"It certainly doesn't make any sense for Russia or any other country in the region to try to undermine the international effort to bring stability to Central Asia," he added. | "It certainly doesn't make any sense for Russia or any other country in the region to try to undermine the international effort to bring stability to Central Asia," he added. |
'Wrong price' | 'Wrong price' |
Some analysts suspect Russia influenced Kyrgyz plans regarding Manas, BBC Central Asia correspondent Rayhan Demytrie reports. | Some analysts suspect Russia influenced Kyrgyz plans regarding Manas, BBC Central Asia correspondent Rayhan Demytrie reports. |
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced the closure plan after talks in Moscow, where he was promised the $2bn in aid. | Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced the closure plan after talks in Moscow, where he was promised the $2bn in aid. |
But Mr Chudinov said on Thursday: "Talks on Russian aid have been going on for two years, and they were in no way related to the issue of the removal of the air base from Kyrgyzstan." | But Mr Chudinov said on Thursday: "Talks on Russian aid have been going on for two years, and they were in no way related to the issue of the removal of the air base from Kyrgyzstan." |
The Kyrgyz PM also said the rent paid by the US for the use of the Manas base was too low. | The Kyrgyz PM also said the rent paid by the US for the use of the Manas base was too low. |
Washington currently pays $63m (£43m) a year, according to the Associated Press news agency. | Washington currently pays $63m (£43m) a year, according to the Associated Press news agency. |
Diplomatic victory | Diplomatic victory |
Manas, near Bishkek, is the only US base in Central Asia and is a vital transit point for Nato and US operations in Afghanistan. | Manas, near Bishkek, is the only US base in Central Asia and is a vital transit point for Nato and US operations in Afghanistan. |
The move to shut the base comes at a critical moment, just as the new administration of US President Barack Obama plans a sharp increase in the number of American troops in Afghanistan. | The move to shut the base comes at a critical moment, just as the new administration of US President Barack Obama plans a sharp increase in the number of American troops in Afghanistan. |
For Russia, on the other hand, its closure would be a significant diplomatic victory as it seeks to reassert its influence in all former Soviet republics and beyond, correspondents say. | For Russia, on the other hand, its closure would be a significant diplomatic victory as it seeks to reassert its influence in all former Soviet republics and beyond, correspondents say. |
Moscow has given its support for Nato re-supplying its forces in Afghanistan, but has stopped short of agreeing to share a military presence in the former Soviet Union with the US. | Moscow has given its support for Nato re-supplying its forces in Afghanistan, but has stopped short of agreeing to share a military presence in the former Soviet Union with the US. |
The Manas base was set up in 2001 to assist the US military operation against al-Qaeda and the Taleban in Afghanistan. | The Manas base was set up in 2001 to assist the US military operation against al-Qaeda and the Taleban in Afghanistan. |
Under the lease agreement, the US must be given six months' notice to close its operations. | Under the lease agreement, the US must be given six months' notice to close its operations. |
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