Bishkek, 14 March 2002 (RFE/RL) -- The lower house of the Kyrgyz parliament today approved the additional deployment of Western troops in Kyrgyzstan. The Legislative Assembly approved the deployment of troops from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, and Turkey for one year.
The Assembly said the term could be extended. Parliamentary committees had already approved the move.
The decision to allow the deployment of U.S. troops in Kyrgyzstan was approved at a parliamentary session in December.
About 1,400 troops from the international coalition fighting terrorism in Afghanistan are already deployed at the Manas airport near Bishkek. Most of the troops are from the United States.
The Assembly said the term could be extended. Parliamentary committees had already approved the move.
The decision to allow the deployment of U.S. troops in Kyrgyzstan was approved at a parliamentary session in December.
About 1,400 troops from the international coalition fighting terrorism in Afghanistan are already deployed at the Manas airport near Bishkek. Most of the troops are from the United States.