The former Soviet Union states really do not know what to do with their independence. They breath freedom forgetting they do it because someone else allows them to do it. And I do not think about Russian Federation. If the U.S. invade the countries in quest for oil and gas in future energy wars they will understand what assholes they were. Alas, the region is also strategic for Russia. Instead of making friends with RF they play dirty tricks on them. One cannot exclude the idea that Russia asked Kyrgyz to do that. :) Politics!
US welcomes Kyrgyz base agreement [>]
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. Google News.
June 24, 2009
Picture 01
(click to enlarge)From: Manas Air Base [>]
Excerpt(s):
(...) Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Kadyrbek Sarbayev said Washington would pay Bishkek 60 million dollars per year for renting the base, a significant increase on the previous annual rent of 17.4 million dollars. The deal involves non-lethal supplies like building materials, food and medicine, clothing and water, officials said.
Bishkek had long complained that it was not receiving a fair rent for Manas, which also serves as the ex-Soviet republic's main international airport.
The United States would also pay Kyrgyzstan more than 36 million dollars for improvements in infrastructure at Manas and 30 million dollars for new navigational equipment, Sarbayev said.On top of that, Washington pledged 20 million dollars for development in Kyrgyzstan; 21 million dollars for fighting drug traffickers; and 10 million for fighting terrorism, he said. (...)
Excerpt(s):
(...) Sarbayev called the deal "temporary" and said it would be in effect for a period of one year. The Kyrgyz parliament was expected to vote Thursday on ratifying the deal. Manas airbase is used to ferry tens of thousands of troops in and out of Afghanistan each year and also hosts planes used for the mid-air refuelling of combat aircraft. (...)
Picture 02
(click to enlarge)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.
Credit: BBC
From: Inside US air base in Manas [>]
(...) On Friday, BBC journalists were the first to get inside Manas - the last remaining US air base in Central Asia, after Kyrgyzstan announced earlier this week it was closing the base. (...)
Picture 03
(click to enlarge)The Kyrgyz parliament meets to vote on the fate of the US aribase in Manas, in Bishkek on February 19, 2009. The Kyrgyz parliament voted overwhelmingly to close a US military base on its territory that serves as a key supply route for coalition forces in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Credit: VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP/Getty Images)
From: Kyrgyzstan and Manas Air Base [>]
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