Kyrgyzstan closing US base key to Afghan conflict

[krispos42]

Source: Associated Press

Feb 3, 2:29 PM EST


Kyrgyzstan closing US base key to Afghan conflict

By MIKE ECKEL
Associated Press Writer

MOSCOW (AP) -- Kyrgyzstan's president said Tuesday his country is ending U.S. use of an air base key to military operations in Afghanistan- a decision with potentially grave consequences for U.S. efforts to put down surging Taliban and al-Qaida violence.

A U.S. military official in Afghanistan called President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's statement "political positioning" and denied the U.S. presence at the Manas air base would end anytime soon.

The United States is preparing to deploy an additional 15,000 troops in Afghanistan and Manas is an important stopover for U.S. materiel and personnel.

Ending U.S. access would be a significant victory for Moscow in its efforts to squeeze the United States out of Central Asia, home to substantial oil and gas reserves and seen by Russia as part of its strategic sphere of influence.

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev spoke on a visit to Moscow minutes after Russia announced it was providing the poor Central Asian nation with billions of dollars in aid.




Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_RUSSIA_KYRGYZSTAN_US_BASE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-02-03-12-49-12

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Down in the article the Pentagon says "No, no, the base isn't closing. It's just political posturing".


Looks like we might have Kyrgyzstan to thank for making us do what domestic politics won't allow us to do.

[Ravachol]

1. Political posturing or not...

Who are these "military officials" to say they're gonna stay in the country? They're there as guests, they don't own the f'ing place.

[bushmeister0]

2. That might not be a problem . . . but this is.

AP:

"PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Militants blew up a bridge in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday, cutting the major supply line for U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan with an explosion that turned the narrow span into a jagged metal 'V.'

A NATO spokesman in Afghanistan said supplies along the route had been halted 'for the time being,' but stressed the alliance was in no danger of running out of food, equipment or fuel. (Translation: Holy shit!)

Up to 75 percent of the fuel and supplies destined for U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan travel through Pakistan after being unloaded at the port of Karachi, and most are driven along the Khyber Pass

U.S. Central Command chief Gen. David Petraeus said last month that agreements are in place to use supply routes that cut through Central Asia, but details have yet to be announced."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090203/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan_29

Gosh, I hope Manas wasn't part of the plans for those new routes.

[Downwinder]

3. If I'm not mistaken.

The British massacred in the Khyber pass were on their way out of Afghanistan.

[nightrain]

5. let's hope that Obama moves toward ending US empirism and doesn't

continue to escalate these situations.

[martymar64]

12. Vocabulary police reporting . . .

the proper word is imperialism, not empiricism. Empiricism refer to the use of empirical facts.

Besides that, I agree 100%.

Sorry, I'm a real peckerhead about those kinds of things.

This :dunce: is for you! :hi:

[Coventina]

4. Kyrgyzstan starts moves to close U.S. airbase

Source: Reuters

BISHKEK (Reuters) - Kyrgyzstan began moves on Wednesday to close a U.S. military air base in the former Soviet republic which is vital for supplying U.S.-led troops fighting in Afghanistan.

The decision by a traditional Russian ally in Central Asia sends a tough signal and challenge to new U.S. President Barack Obama as he plans to send additional troops to Afghanistan.

The base is an important staging post for the U.S.-led military campaign against the Taliban and its role has been heightened as Washington seeks to reinforce supply routes that bypass Pakistan, where supply convoys face security risks.

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced the base would be shut after securing Russian financial aid at talks on Tuesday in Moscow, which wants to reduce U.S. influence in regions it considers part of its traditional sphere of interest.



Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/burningIssues/idUKTRE51310X20090204

[bemildred]

6. I think Russia wants to force Uncle Sugar to deal directly with them. nt

[amandabeech]

7. Absolutely.

Any supply line though Russian controlled territory will be used like the Ukrainian national gas pipeline.

Or Putin will just give us the rope for the noose to hang ourselves in Afghanistan, like the USSR did.

All around, the supply situation doesn't look good.

[bemildred]

9. Yes, and nope.

What's interesting is that it looks like Russia has some cards to play now. I do hope that the "planners" in the US military and government take these issues into account before it becomes a "crisis".

[amandabeech]

11. I certainly hope that our planners will take supply into consideration.

I read here recently that Russia has seen some civil protests--just the kind of thing that bothers Putin.

All in all, declaring Bin Laden dead and then getting out might be a better idea than to go in there without secure supply lines.

[bemildred]

13. Yes, I had not thought about that.

I'm not convinced at this point about civil unrest in Russia, but it would certainly be something to be concerned about. It's not like it's never occurred in the recent past. And yes, cutting one's losses and working on problems closer to home would seem like a wise thing to do. The whole Afghanistan thing is far too whimsical, what do we really have at stake there, beyond various politicians careers?

[ShortnFiery]

15. When it was The USA vs. The U.S.S.R. - at least WE didn't go around invading

too many countries (excluding Grenada & Panama).

Perhaps another Cold War would be good for "The World Community" in that, the BIG PLAYERS would keep each other in check. :shrug:

[bemildred]

16. Who can forget Vietnam and Afghanistan (russian version)?

The real problem is that neither the USA or Russia are in much of a position to "dominate" anyone anymore, and the Russians at least seem to be aware of their limitations.

[NashVegas]

8. Paging SoS Clinton ...

Go to work, Missy!

[BelgianMadCow]

10. Quick! Dredge up Condi!

She has eksperteez in dis area!!

Oh thank god it's over now :sigh:

[ohio2007]

14. Congress will have to posture up more $$$

on a side note, NATO forces are looking into Iranian suppply lines....