Kyrgyzstan Reportedly Wins Massive Rent Hike For U.S. Base
February 15, 2006
The Ganci air base near Bishkek (file photo) (RFE/RL)
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)