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| Kyrgyz closure of US base 'final' | Kyrgyz closure of US base 'final' |
| (9 minutes 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". | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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." |
| See map of existing and possible supply routes in the region | See map of existing and possible supply routes in the region |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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 | 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. | "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. | 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. | The US left its air base there following a dispute over human rights in 2005. |
| name="map"> EXISTING/POSSIBLE SUPPLY ROUTES TO TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN 1. Manas airbase: the only US base in Central Asia, a vital transit point for Nato and US operations. Kyrgyz government wants it closed. 2. Karshi-Khanabad airbase: US forces were ordered out in 2005. Uzbekistan may agree to allow it to be used for non-military transports. 3. Bridge over Panj river: part-funded by the US, it was completed in 2007. May serve as another supply route into Afghanistan.4. Khyber Pass: most supplies to US and Nato troops come through Pakistan. Increasing number of attacks in the area mean the US army is looking for back-up routes. | |
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