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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Kyrgyzstan to vote on key US base | Kyrgyzstan to vote on key US base |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Kyrgyzstan's parliament is due to vote on whether to close a strategic US air base that supports US and Nato operations in Afghanistan. | Kyrgyzstan's parliament is due to vote on whether to close a strategic US air base that supports US and Nato operations in Afghanistan. |
| President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced the closure plan of the Manas base earlier this month in Moscow, where he was promised Russian aid. | President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced the closure plan of the Manas base earlier this month in Moscow, where he was promised Russian aid. |
| Bishkek denies any link between the move to shut the base and Moscow's aid. | Bishkek denies any link between the move to shut the base and Moscow's aid. |
| The US have since held talks with other Central Asian nations, trying to secure new supply routes into Afghanistan. | The US have since held talks with other Central Asian nations, trying to secure new supply routes into Afghanistan. |
| Kyrgyz MPs had been due to start debating the closure on 5 February, but the vote was postponed. class="bodl" href="#map">See map of existing and possible supply routes in the region | |
| Analysts say the Kyrgyz authorities delayed the vote to make sure Moscow delivers its promises of granting $2bn (£1.4bn) in aid. | Analysts say the Kyrgyz authorities delayed the vote to make sure Moscow delivers its promises of granting $2bn (£1.4bn) in aid. |
| If the closure of Manas is approved, the US would have 180 days to leave the base. | If the closure of Manas is approved, the US would have 180 days to leave the base. |
| Tashkent talks | Tashkent talks |
| Washington has intensified talks with other countries in the region, following President Bakiyev's announcement. | Washington has intensified talks with other countries in the region, following President Bakiyev's announcement. |
| On Tuesday, the US commander for the Middle East and Central Asia, General David Petraeus, held talks in Uzbekistan, which has rail links with Afghanistan. | On Tuesday, the US commander for the Middle East and Central Asia, General David Petraeus, held talks in Uzbekistan, which has rail links with Afghanistan. |
| The US has already reached deals with Russia and Kazakhstan to send non-military cargo to Afghanistan using their rail networks, but the supplies would have to go through Uzbekistan. | The US has already reached deals with Russia and Kazakhstan to send non-military cargo to Afghanistan using their rail networks, but the supplies would have to go through Uzbekistan. |
| The US used to have an air base in Uzbekistan that served troops operating in Afghanistan. | The US used to have an air base in Uzbekistan that served troops operating in Afghanistan. |
| But Uzbek authorities closed it in 2005 after criticism from the US and EU over a crackdown on a mass protest in the town of Andijan. | But Uzbek authorities closed it in 2005 after criticism from the US and EU over a crackdown on a mass protest in the town of Andijan. |
| EXISTING/POSSIBLE SUPPLY ROUTES TO TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN 1. Manas airbase: the only US base in Central Asia, a vital transit point for Nato and US operations. Kyrgyz government wants it closed.2. Karshi-Khanabad airbase: US forces were ordered out in 2005. Uzbekistan may agree to allow it to be used for non-military transports. 3. Bridge over Panj river: part-funded by the US, it was completed in 2007. May serve as another supply route into Afghanistan.4. Khyber Pass: most supplies to US and Nato troops come through Pakistan. Increasing number of attacks in the area mean the US army is looking for back-up routes. Return |