Russia and the Taliban?
I have come across an odd little story about a US Air Base in the recently formed country of Kyrgyzstan. It would appear that Russia is offering the country investment aid of $2Billion but that there are strings attached.
So what could Russia’s motivation be – are they keen to support a terror network in an otherwise lawless country? Is this because of their own humiliation in Afghanistan that sees this as an opportunity to pay a little back to the US? (The US supported the rebels with massive amounts of funding to buy weapons during the late 70’s and 80’s).
Could this just be a Russian negotiating chip or is this the sign of something more devious? Story enclosed – you decide!
Kyrgyz parliament to vote on U.S. base next week
Kyrgyzstan's parliament will vote next week on whether to shut a U.S. air base which is an important staging post for U.S. troops fighting in Afghanistan, Kyrgyz officials said on Thursday.
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said on Tuesday Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic and a traditional Russian ally, would close the Manas base after he secured Russian financial aid at talks in Moscow.
The government needs parliamentary approval to proceed with the closure but this is seen as a formality as the chamber is controlled by a pro-presidential party. A simple majority of votes is needed.
"We have included this issue in our February agenda," said Avtandil Arabayev, deputy head of the ruling Ak-Zhol party.
"We did consider the possibility of voting on it tomorrow but according to the rules it will be voted on next week."
Other deputies said the assembly was all but certain to vote in favour of Bakiyev's decision. "I have no doubt about this," said Erik Arsaliyev, head of the foreign affairs committee.
Kyrgyzstan's move to shut the base sets a tough challenge for new U.S. President Barack Obama, who plans to send additional troops to Afghanistan.
The base has been used as a staging post by U.S.-led forces fighting Taliban and al Qaeda militants in Afghanistan and the Kyrgyz move comes as Washington seeks to reinforce supply routes that bypass Pakistan, where convoys face security risks.
Moscow has said it would be flexible to U.S. requests to allow supplies to be sent across Russia. It gave no details.
Officials at the sprawling, heavily guarded air base outside the capital Bishkek said Manas continued to operate as usual as a support hub for coalition forces and cargo in Afghanistan.
"Nothing has really changed," said a Manas spokesman. "It's a wait and see situation."
OFFICIAL ORDER
Once it has received parliamentary approval, the government would have to send Washington an official note ordering it to shut the base. After that the U.S. military would be given 180 days to close operations and leave the mainly Muslim country.
The United States says it has not received any formal communication about closing the base, home to 1,000 personnel.
"We're having discussions with the Kyrgyz about this and we'll continue to do so," U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood said on Wednesday, adding the United States was also engaging Russia over the issue.
Russia, which also operates a military base in Kyrgyzstan, has long been anxious about the presence of U.S. forces in Central Asia which it considers part of its strategic sphere of interest.
NATO said it would be "of concern" if Russia was found to have had a role in Kyrgyzstan's decision to close the base but Moscow says there is no connection between the $2-billion (1.4 billion pounds) package it has pledged to Kyrgyzstan and Bishkek's decision.
Closing Washington's only military outpost in Central Asia would pose a challenge for U.S. supply lines in the region, particularly after militants severed the main route into Afghanistan by blowing up a bridge in Pakistan this week.