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Kyrgyzstan upsets US Plans
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Kyrgyzstan's decision to close the doors of Manas Air Base to the Americans is a huge set back to the NATO. It is the last remaining U.S. base in Central Asia following the shutdown in 2005 of a base in Uzbekistan.
Ever since Americans got pre-occupied with Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, Manas has played a key role. It served as a base for thousands of air missions, the transport of about 50,000 tons of cargo, and the refuelling of more than 5,000 airplanes, according to U.S. data for 2007.
Manas houses Air Force tanker refuelling aircraft. Shifting them will pose a ticklish problem to the Americans if Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev insists that the US troops should leave the base before the expiry of his before the six-month deadline. On Feb. 20, the Kyrgyz government delivered a note to the United States Embassy in Bishkek terminating the base agreement and starting the six-month clock for the withdrawal of American and coalition forces.
President Bakiyev cited U S reluctance to agree for a hike in base rent. The Mans Air base was rented for US $ 17 million and the hiked price being quoted was $ 150 m—a steep increase
There is hope, however, that the curtains may not come down so soon.
President Kurmanbek Bakiyev told the BBC on Wednesday (March 4) that "the doors are not closed" for talks on Manas base. US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates too ‘remains hopeful’ that the base agreement can be extended. A factor that goes against the U S is the American behaviour. They are not liked by the Kyrgyz people .Recent incidents at the Manas base where some Kyrgyz had lost their lives have not endeared the Americans to the people.
As for the alternatives for refuelling one alternative is to touch base in Bahrain or Qatar. But it will be a very expensive proposition. It will also be time-consuming because of the distance factor.
Uzbekistan offers some hope. President, Islam A. Karimov, last week publicly said that he would allow the United States to ship non-lethal cargo through his territory. A Western diplomat said the agreement included flying cargo into the Navoi airfield in central Uzbekistan for further shipment by rail or road.
While returning to the strategy board, the Americans appear reconciled to the reality of Central Asia. A military installation will be a huge political liability to any of the five Central Asian Republics. ‘If you define the region as the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, I don't think there is a possibility at this time for an air base of the kind we had in Manas or in Uzbekistan prior to 2005’, Evan Feigenbaum, a former U.S. envoy to Kyrgyzstan, said. He is presently a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
US loss is Russia’s gain, which considers Central Asian Republics as its absolute sphere of influence. Russian has offered $ 2 bn aid to Kyrgyzstan and expressed readiness to write off its $ 180 m debt. In view of falling oil prices and Russia’s own economic difficulties, it remains to be seen whether this promise can be fulfilled.
Ever since Americans got pre-occupied with Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, Manas has played a key role. It served as a base for thousands of air missions, the transport of about 50,000 tons of cargo, and the refuelling of more than 5,000 airplanes, according to U.S. data for 2007.
Manas houses Air Force tanker refuelling aircraft. Shifting them will pose a ticklish problem to the Americans if Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev insists that the US troops should leave the base before the expiry of his before the six-month deadline. On Feb. 20, the Kyrgyz government delivered a note to the United States Embassy in Bishkek terminating the base agreement and starting the six-month clock for the withdrawal of American and coalition forces.
President Bakiyev cited U S reluctance to agree for a hike in base rent. The Mans Air base was rented for US $ 17 million and the hiked price being quoted was $ 150 m—a steep increase
There is hope, however, that the curtains may not come down so soon.
President Kurmanbek Bakiyev told the BBC on Wednesday (March 4) that "the doors are not closed" for talks on Manas base. US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates too ‘remains hopeful’ that the base agreement can be extended. A factor that goes against the U S is the American behaviour. They are not liked by the Kyrgyz people .Recent incidents at the Manas base where some Kyrgyz had lost their lives have not endeared the Americans to the people.
As for the alternatives for refuelling one alternative is to touch base in Bahrain or Qatar. But it will be a very expensive proposition. It will also be time-consuming because of the distance factor.
Uzbekistan offers some hope. President, Islam A. Karimov, last week publicly said that he would allow the United States to ship non-lethal cargo through his territory. A Western diplomat said the agreement included flying cargo into the Navoi airfield in central Uzbekistan for further shipment by rail or road.
While returning to the strategy board, the Americans appear reconciled to the reality of Central Asia. A military installation will be a huge political liability to any of the five Central Asian Republics. ‘If you define the region as the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, I don't think there is a possibility at this time for an air base of the kind we had in Manas or in Uzbekistan prior to 2005’, Evan Feigenbaum, a former U.S. envoy to Kyrgyzstan, said. He is presently a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
US loss is Russia’s gain, which considers Central Asian Republics as its absolute sphere of influence. Russian has offered $ 2 bn aid to Kyrgyzstan and expressed readiness to write off its $ 180 m debt. In view of falling oil prices and Russia’s own economic difficulties, it remains to be seen whether this promise can be fulfilled.
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