The new government of Kyrgyzstan, installed yesterday evening after ousting US-backed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, today thanked Russia for the support provided in their uprising, but suggested that the “status quo” on military bases would remain for the time being.
Comments from the new government seemed to fly in the face of those made by top Obama Administration official Michael McFaul, who pointedly denied that the Russians had anything to do with the regime change and insisted that the US and Russia were in talks aimed at calming the situation.
But Russia has already recognized the new government, while the US has simply said it remains unclear who is in charge. Russian PM Vladimir Putin has spoken directly with the new de facto leader, former Foreign Minister Roza Otunbayeva, and pledged to supply Russian humanitarian aid to the nation.
Both Russia and the United States have military bases in the small nation, a comparative rarity for the two major powers. The US recently secured a new lease on the Manas base from Bakiyev, though it came with a major increase in rent.
But the US has had to curb flights out of Manas, and some members of the new government suggested earlier in the day that the base might have to close sooner. Otunbayeva seemed to attempt to reassure the US about the base, however, and suggested that they could remain, pending the consideration of “new issues.”
Hahaha….this has been a good week for anyone who opposes Washington's overseas empire and would like to see the constitution restored. First Ukraine dissolves their committee to study joining NATO, then the CIS puppet Bakiyv gets run out of town and now the new government of Kyrgyzstan will evict the US army! Brilliant week for steps towards peace!
Count me as one of those people JLS. Good to see Uncle Sap get hoisted on his own petard. Couldn't happen to a nicer empire.
"Opposition leaders have said they want the base closed because it could put their country at risk if the United States becomes involved in a military conflict with Iran. Closing it would also please Russia, which has opposed the basing of U.S. troops on former Soviet turf.
The United States began using Manas in 2001, two months after the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, and the base has become essential for transportation, refueling and supply for U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan…." Peter Leonard AP April 8, 2010.
Note also that there are several thousand US and NATO troops at the base there, making Kyrghyzstan another of those far eastern nations that recently received a new virtual seashore on the North Atlantic Ocean, which shore now borders China.
Otunbayeva visited Russia last month with Putin and his party members.
The change of government makes an interesting bookend with Obama's getting Georgian troops to fight alongside marine units in Afghanistan.
Great to see another failuree for indonesian citizen BARRY SOTI ERROR.