Resolution of Kyrgyzstan Base Issue Sought

Unless the U.S. and Kyrgyzstan can reach another agreement, American planes will no longer be allowed to use Manas Air Base there after July. The request to vacate Manas came after the Kyrgyzstan parliament voted earlier this month to discontinue allowing U.S. access. According to the Defense Department, the U.S. pays the Kyrgyz government $17.4 million annually to use the base, which has become a major job for transporting troops and supplies in and out of Afghanistan. According to DoD, roughly 15,000 troops and 500 tons of supplies move through Manas each month. Meanwhile, U.S. officials say they will continue to urge the Kyrgyz government to change its mind. If that does not happen, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates says that logistics will not suffer. Manas, Gates says, "has been an important facility, but it’s not irreplaceable, and if necessary, we will find other options."