Kyrgyzstan to vote on key US base

Manas is the only US air base in Central Asia and is a vital transit point

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.

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.

Kyrgyz MPs had been due to start debating the closure on 5 February, but the vote was postponed.

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.

Tashkent talks

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.

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.

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.

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