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| Talks on expanding US Manas airbase in Kyrgyzstan |
| 2008-06-20 |
| The expansion of a U.S. military airbase in Kyrgyzstan is expected to top the agenda of a visit by the U.S. assistant secretary for South and Central Asian affairs to the former Soviet republic, Kyrgyz media said on Wednesday. Good move. The Pak government are busy making peace with the Talibs and leaving them to control the western reaches of Pakistain. That means they control our supply lines into Afghanistan. Last week we encountered the revealing phenomenon of shooting at Talibs and hitting Pak Frontier Corps. Coming in through Central Asia will be more complicated, both geographically and politically, than coming in through Pak, but it'll be safer and more reliable. George Krol will arrive in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on June 19 to discuss issues of regional security and the Manas base, currently rented by the U.S. He is also set to discuss economic cooperation and meet with representatives of non-governmental organizations. "Washington intends to expand its military presence at the Manas airbase and has asked Kyrgyz authorities to allot additional 300 hectares to erect new military facilities," the Kyrgyz 24.kg news agency said. The U.S. airbase at Manas airport, located 30 kilometers (17 miles) east of Bishkek, accommodates 1,000 U.S. troops along with nine refueling and cargo planes supporting antiterrorism operations in Afghanistan. According to the agency, a deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command is expected to accompany Krol on his three-day visit. The Kyrgyz presidential press service said it had no information on whether the Manas base would be discussed. |
| Posted by:3dc |
| #1 During the building/rehabbing of that base, the US added something like 5% to Kyrgyzstan's GDP. And the base is still accounts for something like 1% of GDP because of all the local purchases involved. Mainly food stuffs and vetted workers, since that is a base that does NOT have much off-base contacts with locals. |
| Posted by: Shieldwolf 2008-06-20 17:23 |