U.S. Air Force KC 135 tanker planes seen parked next to Kyrgyz Tu-134 passenger planes at the airfield of Ganci U.S. air base in Manas international airport 30 km (19 miles) from the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.
France's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Pierre Lellouch appealed to Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, whose government is just weeks away from evicting the US airbase at Manas, to help stabilise its war-torn neighbour.
"France hopes that Kyrgyzstan, in concert with the forces of the international community, continues to play an active role in the process of establishing peace in Afghanistan," he said in a statement released by Bakiyev's office.
Kyrgyzstan has ordered US forces to quit the US airbase at Manas -- which is used to support operations in Afghanistan -- by August 18 in a decision widely seen as made under pressure from Moscow.
But a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent weeks -- including a direct appeal from Afghan President Hamid Karzai to keep the base open -- has caused intense speculation over the fate of the base.
Kyrgyzstan appeared to soften its position on Friday, when it became the last of the five Central Asian states to offer to open its territory for the transit of non-lethal cargo to Afghanistan.
Manas is used to ferry tens of thousands of troops in and out of Afghanistan each year.
The loss of the base would deal a major blow to coalition military efforts at a time when US President Barack Obama is seeking to boost the campaign against the Taliban.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
DTN News: Kyrgyzstan Should Play 'Active Role' In Afghanistan ~ France
DTN News: Kyrgyzstan Should Play 'Active Role' In Afghanistan ~ France
*Sources: DTN News / Defense Media
(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - June 25, 2009: France on Monday joined the growing chorus of voices urging Kyrgyzstan to cooperate with NATO forces in nearby Afghanistan, as the deadline for the closure of a key US airbase on its territory looms. U.S. Air Force KC 135 tanker planes seen parked next to Kyrgyz Tu-134 passenger planes at the airfield of Ganci U.S. air base in Manas international airport 30 km (19 miles) from the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.
France's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Pierre Lellouch appealed to Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, whose government is just weeks away from evicting the US airbase at Manas, to help stabilise its war-torn neighbour.
"France hopes that Kyrgyzstan, in concert with the forces of the international community, continues to play an active role in the process of establishing peace in Afghanistan," he said in a statement released by Bakiyev's office.
Kyrgyzstan has ordered US forces to quit the US airbase at Manas -- which is used to support operations in Afghanistan -- by August 18 in a decision widely seen as made under pressure from Moscow.
But a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent weeks -- including a direct appeal from Afghan President Hamid Karzai to keep the base open -- has caused intense speculation over the fate of the base.
Kyrgyzstan appeared to soften its position on Friday, when it became the last of the five Central Asian states to offer to open its territory for the transit of non-lethal cargo to Afghanistan.
Manas is used to ferry tens of thousands of troops in and out of Afghanistan each year.
The loss of the base would deal a major blow to coalition military efforts at a time when US President Barack Obama is seeking to boost the campaign against the Taliban.
U.S. Air Force KC 135 tanker planes seen parked next to Kyrgyz Tu-134 passenger planes at the airfield of Ganci U.S. air base in Manas international airport 30 km (19 miles) from the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.
France's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Pierre Lellouch appealed to Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, whose government is just weeks away from evicting the US airbase at Manas, to help stabilise its war-torn neighbour.
"France hopes that Kyrgyzstan, in concert with the forces of the international community, continues to play an active role in the process of establishing peace in Afghanistan," he said in a statement released by Bakiyev's office.
Kyrgyzstan has ordered US forces to quit the US airbase at Manas -- which is used to support operations in Afghanistan -- by August 18 in a decision widely seen as made under pressure from Moscow.
But a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent weeks -- including a direct appeal from Afghan President Hamid Karzai to keep the base open -- has caused intense speculation over the fate of the base.
Kyrgyzstan appeared to soften its position on Friday, when it became the last of the five Central Asian states to offer to open its territory for the transit of non-lethal cargo to Afghanistan.
Manas is used to ferry tens of thousands of troops in and out of Afghanistan each year.
The loss of the base would deal a major blow to coalition military efforts at a time when US President Barack Obama is seeking to boost the campaign against the Taliban.
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