DTN News: US Military Base Lease In Kyrgyzstan Extended
Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 17, 2010: In a development that eases tension over the future of the U.S. military base in Kyrgyzst
an, the interim government of the Central Asian country has said the agreement over Manas air force base will extend for another year.
The fate of the only U.S. military base in the region - a logistics hub for Afghanistan - was uncertain in the wake of the change of rule in Kyrgyzstan last week.
Violent Opposition protests that killed more than 80 people and injured hundreds of others forced Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to flee the country.
An interim government led by Roza Otunbayeva took control of the administration.
The political upheaval forced a four-day suspension of refueling operations and the transit of troops at the transit center at Manas in support of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
The First Deputy Prime Minister of the provisional government, Omurbek Tekebayev, announced on Friday that "Kyrgyzstan is extending by one year the validity of the agreement with the United States over the Manas transit center."
The interim government's deputy chief added that the Parliament should make its own decision on the base but since it had been dissolved, the lease that expires in July would automatically be renewed.
During a telephone talk last weekend with Otunbayeva, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke about "the important role Kyrgyzstan plays in hosting the Transit Center at the Manas Airport."
The U.S. had feared that the change of government in Kyrgyzstan could affect a deal signed by the Bakiyev government with Washington in June last year, after the former reversed a decision to close the military base.
Under the agreement, Washington agreed to the host country's several demands, including more than tripling the annual rent for the Manas base.
The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, called the development a crucial boost for coalition forces.
The Manas base, set up after the 9/11 attacks, is the only U.S. military base in the region. More than 1,000 servicemen deployed there are engaged in the maintenance of warplanes and fueling of transport aircraft.
The impoverished mountainous former Soviet Republic is home to both U.S. and Russian air bases because of its proximity to Afghanistan and western China.
Earlier, addressing the nation, Otunbayeva said Bakiyev had been allowed to leave the country to avoid bloodshed.
Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 17, 2010: In a development that eases tension over the future of the U.S. military base in Kyrgyzst
an, the interim government of the Central Asian country has said the agreement over Manas air force base will extend for another year.
The fate of the only U.S. military base in the region - a logistics hub for Afghanistan - was uncertain in the wake of the change of rule in Kyrgyzstan last week.
Violent Opposition protests that killed more than 80 people and injured hundreds of others forced Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to flee the country.
An interim government led by Roza Otunbayeva took control of the administration.
The political upheaval forced a four-day suspension of refueling operations and the transit of troops at the transit center at Manas in support of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
The First Deputy Prime Minister of the provisional government, Omurbek Tekebayev, announced on Friday that "Kyrgyzstan is extending by one year the validity of the agreement with the United States over the Manas transit center."
The interim government's deputy chief added that the Parliament should make its own decision on the base but since it had been dissolved, the lease that expires in July would automatically be renewed.
During a telephone talk last weekend with Otunbayeva, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke about "the important role Kyrgyzstan plays in hosting the Transit Center at the Manas Airport."
The U.S. had feared that the change of government in Kyrgyzstan could affect a deal signed by the Bakiyev government with Washington in June last year, after the former reversed a decision to close the military base.
Under the agreement, Washington agreed to the host country's several demands, including more than tripling the annual rent for the Manas base.
The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, called the development a crucial boost for coalition forces.
The Manas base, set up after the 9/11 attacks, is the only U.S. military base in the region. More than 1,000 servicemen deployed there are engaged in the maintenance of warplanes and fueling of transport aircraft.
The impoverished mountainous former Soviet Republic is home to both U.S. and Russian air bases because of its proximity to Afghanistan and western China.
Earlier, addressing the nation, Otunbayeva said Bakiyev had been allowed to leave the country to avoid bloodshed.
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