Kyrgyzstan To Charge U.S. Military For Dumped Fuel

The Kyrgyz Ministry for Emergency Situations says the government is negotiating an agreement with the U.S. military on the matter. A draft agreement foresees a charge of around $190 for every metric ton of fuel discarded by U.S. military aircraft.

Kyrgyz Emergency Situations Minister Bakir Jolchuev today told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service that the new draft agreement covers ways of repairing possible damage from fuel dumping.

"The [draft agreement] includes [a number of] aspects -- especially the issues of defining damage from the dumping of fuel [over Kyrgyz territory by U.S. planes] in emergency circumstances and ways of repairing the damage. The issue was included [in the agreement] as Article 7," he said.

In September, U.S. refueling planes twice dumped tons of aviation fuel over the Chui region. The incidents prompted criticism from villagers and environmental groups.

The U.S. military uses the Ganci air base at Manas Airport near the capital Bishkek for conducting security and humanitarian operations in Afghanistan.

(RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service/AP)