US keeps Manas; Medvedev, 'No problem'

A few months ago the USA was kicked off the Kyrgyz air base of Manas. The airdrome had become an important hub for American operations in Afghanistan and the expel order came under suspicion of behind the lines pressure from Russia.

Yesterday, however, the Kyrgyz Parliament backed the letting of Manas Air Base again to the Americans. What has changed?

First is the significative increasement in the rent. From the $17.4 million per year that the USA was paying until now it grows up to $60 million. But in the new deal are many more factors involved.

Manas Air base won’t be used as a military hub anymore. Rumors about the use of the base as a nest of spies to intercept communications in central Asia had widespread long before the expel order. It’s understandable for Russia not wanting foreign ears in their backyard. From now on, only non-military operations, refueling and respelling will be allowed in Kyrgyz soil. Manas will be just a transit base.

But also is important the under the line cooperation deal between the two Governments. Including $117m in upgrades to the airport, anti-narcotics, anti-terrorist training and equipment.

Kyrgyzstan has serious problems dealing with Islamic terrorist groups, like the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU). They operate in the Ferghana valley, a region shared by Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Concerns around it becoming a Taliban haven have arisen recently.

With the deal, the USA not only gets to keep an important supply hub in central Asia, but also adds another force into the fight against the Taliban.

And what about Russia? No problemo, says Medvedev. The Russian president even encouraged the countries in the area to join the USA in their fight against the Afghan insurgency. Of course, they won’t party over it, but it suits in the new soft line of friendly diplomacy and restarted relations pushed by Obama and Clinton.



Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lara Gale