Kyrgyz Parliament approves US base closure

KYRGYZSTAN: Kyrgyzstan’s parliament voted to close a key U.S. air base in the country - a move that could hamper President Barack Obama’s efforts to increase the number of US forces in Afghanistan.

Deputies voted 78-1 Thursday with two abstentions for the government-backed bill to cancel the lease agreement on the Manas air base, a transit point for 15,000 troops and 500 tons of cargo each month to and from Afghanistan. The move follows Russia’s offer of $2.15 billion in aid and loans to the impoverished Central Asian country.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in Poland for NATO talks, said the United States would consider paying more rent to continue using the strategic base. Speaking after the parliament vote in Kyrgyzstan, Gates said he considers talks still open over the future of the base.

Russia has denied pushing Kyrgyzstan to shut the base, but U.S. officials were skeptical.

“I think that the Russians are trying to have it both ways with respect to Afghanistan in terms of Manas,” Gates said. “On one hand you’re making positive noises about working with us in Afghanistan and on the other hand you’re working against us in terms of that airfield, which is clearly important to us.”

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev - who announced the planned eviction and whose government introduced the legislation - is expected to sign the bill in the coming weeks. Once Kyrgyz authorities issue an eviction notice, the United States will have 180 days to leave the base.

“A stable, peaceful Afghanistan is in everyone’s interest, including the Kyrgyz people, and Manas is instrumental to our efforts to make that a reality,” he said. “However, the base is not irreplaceable and we have alternatives should they be needed.”

BISHKEK, Friday, AP