U.S.: Talks on Kyrgyz base to continue

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U.S.: Talks on Kyrgyz base to continue
By Leila Saralayeva - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Feb 5, 2009 6:07:03 EST

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — The U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan said Wednesday that talks will continue on maintaining a key American air base in the country despite the Kyrgyz president’s announcement that it will close.

The base in the former Soviet Central Asian country is an essential element of support for U.S. and international operations in Afghanistan.

Kyrgyzstan’s president announced Tuesday that the country had decided the Manas base must close. He did not specify when the closure might take place.

But a U.S. Embassy statement Wednesday said the United States has received no formal notification of the decision.

“We have been in discussions with Kyrgyz authorities on the future of Manas air base. These discussions will continue,” the statement said.


Rest of article at: http://airforcetimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_kyrgyzstan_base_020309/%2e