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Kyrgyz closure of US base 'final' | Kyrgyz closure of US base 'final' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Kyrgyzstan says its decision to close a US base that serves as a vital supply route for US and Nato operations in Afghanistan is "final". | |
It contradicts US statements that talks are ongoing about the base's future. | It contradicts US statements that talks are ongoing about the base's future. |
Meanwhile, the US has asked to move supplies through Russia, and Tajikistan has said it will allow the transit of non-military goods into Afghanistan. | |
Nato is understood to be increasingly concerned about the security of its supply routes through Pakistan. | |
Most of its supplies come through Pakistan's Khyber Pass, which has come under increasing militant attacks. | |
Critical timing | Critical timing |
"The decision has been made," said Kyrgyz government spokesman Aibek Sultangaziyev. | "The decision has been made," said Kyrgyz government spokesman Aibek Sultangaziyev. |
"The US embassy and the [Kyrgyz] foreign ministry are exchanging opinions on this, but there are no discussions on keeping the base." | "The US embassy and the [Kyrgyz] foreign ministry are exchanging opinions on this, but there are no discussions on keeping the base." |
Manas, just outside the capital Bishkek, is the only US base in Central Asia and is a vital transit point for Nato and US operations in Afghanistan - an hour-and-a-half's flight away. | |
The base is used to refuel Afghan-bound planes, and is the first point of stop for the majority of coalition troops on their way in and out of Afghanistan. | |
The closure announcement came after Russia promised Kyrgyzstan $2bn (£1.4bn) in aid. However, Kyrgyzstan says the moves are not linked. | |
Kyrgyz MPs will vote on the closure later this month. | |
Russia has long opposed the presence of American military forces in Central Asia, says the BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow. | |
Russia says it has agreed to a request from the US to allow the transit of non-military Nato supplies across its soil, but says it is waiting for details of specific shipments before issuing permissions. | |
The US embassy and the [Kyrgyz] foreign ministry are exchanging opinions on this, but there are no discussions on keeping the base Aibek SultangaziyevKyrgyz government spokesman US Kyrgyz base is pressure point | |
"As soon as that happens we will give the corresponding permission," said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, quoted by Russian media. | |
For the US, the base closure comes at a critical moment, as the new administration of President Barack Obama plans a sharp increase in the number of American troops in Afghanistan. | For the US, the base closure comes at a critical moment, as the new administration of 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, analysts 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, analysts say. |
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. |
Meanwhile, diplomatic sources say that the US is close to a deal with Uzbekistan as part of back-up plan. | |
The US left its air base there following a dispute over human rights in 2005. |