U.S. troops may use their brand-new military base in Kyrgyzstan for as long as it takes to pacify and stabilise Afghanistan, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev said on Thursday. Led by the United States, more than 1,000 troops from six countries have arrived at the rapidly expanding facility at Manas international airport on the outskirts of Bishkek. Senior U.S. officials have said the plan is not to establish a permanent base in Kyrgyzstan, but they have given no indication of how long the troops might remain in place. U.S. and Kyrgyz authorities have said the base may grow to some 3,000 soldiers and 40 aircraft.
Surprisingly, there doesn't appear to be any internal Russian controversy. Even the chauvinists can't imagine we have any interest in Kyrgyzstan. Our presence in Kzxcgtrbvcn probably frees up the Russians to watch their border with China. We need to send them some vowels!
Posted by Anonymous 3/10/2002 3:02:18 PM |