Kyrgyzstan to Allow Use of Bases in War
This Central Asian nation said Tuesday that it is ready to accommodate warplanes from the U.S.-led anti-terrorism coalition at one of its air bases, but a senior official said the Western presence would be limited and short-term.
“We have in principle confirmed our readiness to support the anti-terrorist coalition, and we are now studying their proposals,” presidential advisor Askar Aitmatov said.
Aitmatov went out of his way to dispel fears in Russia that Moscow’s influence in the vast region it once ruled would be eroded by the Western deployment.
Kyrgyz Security Council Secretary Mesir Ashirkulov told reporters Tuesday that Australia, South Korea and “other states” might also deploy their military or transport planes in Kyrgyzstan.
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