U.S., Kyrgyz Officials Hold Talks On U.S. Air Base

The U.S. air base at Manas airport (file photo) (RFE/RL) Bishkek, 8 November 2005 (RFE/RL) -- The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said today the first rounds of talks have ended with a preliminary accord between Bishkek and Washington on the terms of use on a Kyrgyz air base, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Foreign Minister Alikbek Jekshenkulov said the negotiations brought together top defense and diplomatic officials from both sides.

The Foreign Ministry said both sides agreed "to review technical and financial agreements on the use of the air base."

Kyrgyzstan wants the United States to pay more for the use of the Ganci air base at Manas airport near Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital.

The U.S. military has been using the air base since the end of 2001 for conducting security and humanitarian operations in Afghanistan.

(ITAR-TASS/AP)