[Peace-discuss] Why the killing in Kyrgyzstan?

[C. G. Estabrook]

[On News from Neptune last night (ch. 6 @ 7pm Fridays & soon on FB & 
www.newsfromneptune.com) Ron Szoke raised this question. I know some people 
who've recently traveled in Kyrgyzstan, and the background is the US presence in 
this former Soviet republic.  Manas air base near the capital, Bishkek, is a 
major link in the long, difficult supply route for the US invasion of 
Afghanistan.  Both Russia and the US have been paying off various groups in 
Kyrgyzstan, apparently exacerbating the internal politics. It's important to 
realize that the US is able to supply its expeditionary force in Afghanistan 
only because Turkey and Russia allow it. --CGE]


	Report: Russia looks to build second base in Kyrgyzstan
	By Heath Druzin
	Stars and Stripes
	Published: June 25, 2010

Russia is reportedly considering building a military base in southern 
Kyrgyzstan, an area hit hard by recent uprising. It would be Russia's second 
base in the country...

Kyrgyzstan is the only country in the world to host both a U.S. and Russian 
military base, and often finds itself in the middle of the tug of war the two 
powers play over influence in Central Asia, a region Russia sees as firmly in 
its backyard. Medvedev, quoted in a Wall Street Journal interview, warned 
against the U.S. making Manas a permanent base.

“This base ... should not exist forever, it should resolve specific tasks, in my 
opinion, and wrap up its work,” he said...

http://www.stripes.com/news/report-russia-looks-to-build-second-base-in-kyrgyzstan-1.108733

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