Kyrgyz Elders Ask U.S.
and Russia to Close Military Bases
"We
believe that the presence of military bases belonging to the two leading global
powers, which hold opposing positions on many international issues, is
unacceptable for such a limited area."
The American military
presence in Kyrgyzstan is the cause of the country's political turmoil. That is
the central conclusion of a resolution adopted Tuesday at a special conference
of the Council of Aksakals [Elders].
The Council believes that
Kyrgyzstan, as reported by RIA Novosti, is in a "deep economic and
political crisis." The incoherent, piecemeal foreign policy pursued by the
nation's leadership, which was led by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, damaged the
image of the country. In addition, according to the resolution, “non-compliance
with international treaties and agreements explains the souring of relations
with its neighbors, especially with long-standing strategic partner and friend
of the republic - Russia.”
In 2001, an American military
base was established at the Manas International Airport. In 2009, the authorities
announced a withdrawal of U.S. troops from the territory of the republic.
However, it was subsequently decided to rebrand the base as a "Transit
Center." In March, according to the Manas Transit Center press service, a
record number of troops were transferred to Afghanistan and back - a total of
about 50,000 soldiers.
“We believe,” the Kyrgyz elders
note in their resolution, “that the presence of military bases belonging to the
two leading global powers, which hold opposing positions on many international
issues, is unacceptable for such a limited area.” The elders also believe that
the U.S. base has become a kind of a “shield” for the Kyrgyz leadership, which allows
"flagrant human rights violations and a blockade against free information.”
Yesterday, information was received
that about 1,000 demonstrators took over the regional administration building
in the town of Talas. According to Internal Affairs Minister Moldomusa Kongantiyev,
the action organized by the
United People's Movement, was illegal. Kongantiyev said, “they
have crossed the threshold of lawful activity, and now their activity is
illegal. … They have broken with the constitutional order, seized the
administration building, smashed windows, and created a dangerous situation.
For a time, they were even demanding to meet with the president."
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
[Editor's Note: According
to AFP, police sources said that Internal Affairs Minister Kongantiyev was killed
in Talas, where the first anti-government protests erupted. Kongantiyev was
attacked by protestors who had also taken captive Deputy Prime Minister Akylbek
Zhaparov. But Interior Ministry spokesman Rakhmatullo Akhmedov said later that Kongantiyev
was alive, but acknowledged that the government had little information on the
situation in Talas, saying it was "checking" reports the minister was
taken hostage.]
