Kyrgyz lawmakers vote to close key U.S. base
Kyrgyzstan’s parliament voted Thursday 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 U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
Deputies voted 78-1 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 said Thursday the U.S. would consider paying more rent to continue using the strategic base. And he said he considered the talks still open.
Russia has denied pushing Kyrgyzstan to shut the base.
Widespread public discontent in Kyrgyzstan over the U.S. military presence has been sharpened by several high-profile incidents surrounding the base, including the shooting of a truck driver by a U.S serviceman and a dispute over compensation for damage to a civilian plane that collided with a U.S. tanker aircraft.
The U.S. is trying to finalize details of an alternative overland supply route to Afghanistan amid concerns over worsening security in Pakistan. Some 75 percent of U.S. supplies currently travel through Pakistan.
Kyrgyzstan’s parliament voted Thursday 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 U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
Deputies voted 78-1 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 said Thursday the U.S. would consider paying more rent to continue using the strategic base. And he said he considered the talks still open.
Russia has denied pushing Kyrgyzstan to shut the base.
Widespread public discontent in Kyrgyzstan over the U.S. military presence has been sharpened by several high-profile incidents surrounding the base, including the shooting of a truck driver by a U.S serviceman and a dispute over compensation for damage to a civilian plane that collided with a U.S. tanker aircraft.
The U.S. is trying to finalize details of an alternative overland supply route to Afghanistan amid concerns over worsening security in Pakistan. Some 75 percent of U.S. supplies currently travel through Pakistan.
No comments:
Post a Comment