Kyrgyzstan Ready To Transfer Nonlethal Cargo To Afghanistan
Foreign Minister Kadyrbek Sarbaev (file photo)
June 20, 2009
BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Kadyrbek Sarbaev says Kyrgyzstan is ready to be a transit point for nonlethal NATO cargo to Afghanistan, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
Speaking to the 24.kg news agency in Bishkek, Sarbaev said the Foreign Ministry is currently working on a response to last week's official letter from U.S. President Barrack Obama addressed to Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev, in which Obama asked Bakiev to revise his decision to close the Manas air base used by NATO troops for their operations in Afghanistan.
Earlier this year, Kyrgyzstan officially denounced all the agreements regarding the use of the air base near Bishkek by NATO troops.
Sarbaev said on June 19 that consultations with U.S. officials are under way, but it's "too early to talk about concrete results."