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Kyrgyzstan Calls Closure of US Base 'Final'

Russia offers help to US with transport to Afghanistan

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 6, 2009 7:27 AM CST

(Newser) – The decision to close an American air base in Kyrgyzstan was "final," the Kyrgyz government said today, contradicting claims from Washington that discussions are ongoing. The Manas Air Base is a vital stopover for US and NATO flights to Afghanistan, but this week Kyrgyzstan suddenly decided to shutter it. The decision was announced as Russia pledged billions in aid to Kyrgyzstan, though the government insists the two moves are unlinked, reports the BBC.

Meanwhile the Russian foreign minister said today that it would allow the US to transport "non-lethal" military supplies across its territory into Afghanistan. Tajikistan has also said that it will be open to transport, and the US is said to be close to a deal with Uzbekistan. The US is eager to maintain a route to Afghanistan that avoids the increasingly unstable Pakistan, while Russia wants to reduce American influence in the smaller former Soviet republics.

Kyrgyzstan's government submitted a draft bill to parliament Feb. 4, 2009 to revoke the country's hosting of a U.S. base that is an important component of the Afghanistan military campaign. (AP Photo)

A US soldier walks past local workers at a construction site at the US air base at Manas international airport in Kyrgyzstan. (AP Photo)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, right, greets Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009. (AP Photo)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev addresses Interior Ministry officials in Moscow on Friday, Feb. 6, 2009. (AP Photo)

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Kyrgyzstan Calls Closure of US Base 'Final'

Russia offers help to US with transport to Afghanistan

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Kyrgyzstan Calls Closure of US Base 'Final'

Russia offers help to US with transport to Afghanistan

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • NATO • US military • Kyrgyzstan • Afghanistan war • Manas Air Base

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US Cuts Deal on Central Asia Military Base

Troops must leave, but base will help Afghanistan mission

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

NATO: Taliban Rocket Likely Downed Helicopter

Officials working to recover every single piece

US Plans 2014 End to Afghan Combat

Phased withdrawal echoes Iraq exit strategy

Troops Glad McChrystal's Gone: Rolling Stone Writer

Reporter 'very surprised' by 'unfireable' general's ouster

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