Non-Subscriber Extract
Kyrgyzstan calls for closure of US Manas airbase
By Matthew Clements
05 February 2009
The decree was issued after President Kurmanbek Bakiyev stated on 3 February that the Manas airbase would close. This announcement was made during a visit by Bakiyev to Moscow where he held talks with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev regarding a major Russian aid package to Kyrgyzstan. This would include the cancellation of Bishkek's USD180 million debt to Russia, USD150 million in financial assistance and a USD2 billion discounted loan.
It is likely that Moscow sought the closure of the Manas airbase in return for the assistance as part of its broader strategy of limiting US power in the former Soviet Union. Bakiyev also stated that Washington was not willing to pay "the right price" for the base. The US Department of State said on 4 February that it had received no formal notification of the closure.