THE United States has made a deal allowing it to continue using a Central Asian air base that is crucial to the Nato mission in Afghanistan – after agreeing to triple the rent it pays.
The former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan in February had ordered the US forces out, a decision some observers said may have been made under pressure from Russia, which is strongly opposed to a US military presence so close to its borders. Russia, whi
ch also has a base in Kyrgyzstan, increased its aid to Kyrgyzstan just before the eviction announcement.
Under the new deal, the US will pay $60 million in annual rent, up from the current $17.4 million for use of the Manas air base, which is an important operations hub as the US-led coalition ramps up its campaign against the Taleban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
US forces have had access to Manas, outside Bishkek, since 2001. The base became even more important to the Afghan war effort after neighbouring Uzbekistan evicted US troops from a base there.
Militants have stepped up attacks on the main route for military supplies to Afghanistan through Pakistan – although the military maintains this has little impact on its operations.
Analysts say Russia, which grudgingly accepted the agreement, may have approved it in the hope of US concessions on issues that have badly strained its relations with Washington – such as Nato's possible expansion eastward and a planned US missile defence complex in central Europe.
"Reaching this agreement is, of course, Kyrgyzstan's sovereign right," said the Russian Foreign Ministry after yesterday's deal was announced.
