The U.S. May Not Be Leaving Manas Airforce Base Afterall

Pentagon: Progress In Talks To Keep US Base -- AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States reported progress Tuesday in negotiations to extend its lease of a key Central Asian air base that provides support for military operations in Afghanistan, although an August eviction date looms.

"I think we see reason for hope there, that that can be worked out," Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said.

Morrell would not describe the negotiations in detail. "We hope we're getting closer," he said, but the Pentagon is also planning alternative resupply routes if talks fall through.

Read more ....

My Comment: I cannot say that I am surprised. The officials in Kyrgyzstan never had the intention of being married to only one partner .... they are going to play both Russia and the U.S. against each other. Fortunately, the Americans have been positioning themselves to be independent from this form of blackmail.