Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Reportedly Wins Massive Rent Hike For U.S. Base

The Ganci air base near Bishkek (file photo) (RFE/RL)

15 February 2006 -- Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev has outlined the new rent agreement his government struck with the United States for its use of the Ganci air base at Bishkek's Manas airport.

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February 15, 2006

Russia's "Kommersant" newspaper today quotes Bakiyev as saying the rent increased from $2 million per year to $200 million per year.

Kyrgyzstan gave the United States new conditions for using the air base last month.

The U.S. military has been using the base to support operations in Afghanistan since late 2001.

"Kommersant" also asked Bakiev about the rent for Russia's air base at Kant. Bakiev said Russia uses the Kant air base for free, because it was established within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

(AKIpress, Reuters)

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