"Gates... said he was willing to negotiate higher rent to stay.... United States pays $17.4 million a year for use of the transit hub, under terms of a 2006 lease"
Good thing you got that kind of dough as pocket change, 'eh, America? Not like a few mortgages could be paid off or anything.
"Gates says Kyrgyz base not lost nor is it irreplaceable; Notes that US may be open to higher rent" by Anne Gearan, Associated Press | February 20, 2009
KRAKOW, Poland - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates yesterday played down Kyrgyzstan's moves to kick the United States off a strategic air base and said he was willing to negotiate higher rent to stay.
Nice of him to keep that abominable war going with OUR MONEY, not HIS!
Aaaah, the stench of "change."
Speaking hours after Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted 78-1 to evict the US military, Gates said the Central Asian base - which sends some 500 tons of supplies to the Afghanistan war each month - is important. But he said it's not irreplaceable, and that the former Soviet republic won't put the United States over a barrel.
Yeah, poor USraeli empire!
"We are prepared to look at the fees and see if there is justification for a somewhat larger payment," Gates said at a press conference....
How does the extortion shoe feel on the other foot, Bob?
Gates, in Europe for NATO talks, also said the new Obama administration needs more time to decide the fate of a proposed European missile defense shield....
Another reason they want to go ahead with that is the $$$$ poured into "defense" contractors pockets; like star wars, who really gives a sh*** if it works?
"Between the economic crisis, Afghanistan and Iraq, the administration has not reviewed where it is on a whole range of issues," Gates told reporters, adding that he asked the Poles for patience.
I thought this guy hit the ground -- and kept you for continuity, Bob -- running?
The defense ministers' meeting yesterday was dominated by the worsening war in Afghanistan, and the US request for more allied help. Obama approved 17,000 new US forces for Afghanistan this week, and Gates was asking for emergency troops to help protect Afghan civilians from militant violence ahead of national elections this summer.
Yeah, bring in MORE TROOPS which is RESPONSIBLE for the INCREASE in RESISTANCE, 'er, "violence" -- and then claim its about some rigged election protection.
It's over, Bob. We bombed those people into the hands of the "Taliban" because they are the only ones fighting a murderous and brutal occupation built on total lies (because of some oil pipeline).
The loss of the Kyrgyz base would be a logistical setback to US plans to expand military operations in Afghanistan this year, but Gates and others have said there are other options if the base is off limits.
I'm sorry to hear that; any time the U.S. empire is limited in its killing, I'm happy.
Admiral Mike Mullen, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, said work on backup plans is already well along.
Yes, they usually have a Plan B, C, and D.
"The country can decide, and we'll figure out how to go from there," Mullen said at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. "We've enjoyed a very important, close relationship and have benefited with a critical capability. But it's not a capability that can't be replaced. And if we have to do that, we will."
Does he mean them or US? Because WE WANT HOME!!!
Russia has denied pushing Kyrgyzstan to shut the base, but Gates was skeptical.
There is your WAR PROVOKE PROP -- as if the U.S. is totally innocent in Georgia, Chechnya (U.S. asset UBL's troops), Ukraine, and all the former Soviet satellites.
"I think that the Russians are trying to have it both ways with respect to Afghanistan in terms of Manas," Gates said before arriving in Poland. "On one hand you're making positive noises about working with us in Afghanistan and on the other hand you're working against us in terms of that airfield which is clearly important to us."
Oh, THEY are trying to have it BOTH WAYS, 'eh, slimebll Bob?
The STENCH of HYPOCRITICAL CHUTZPAH is incapacitating!
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced the planned eviction following Russia's offer of $2.15 billion in aid and loans to the impoverished Central Asian country.
Mad they topped our $$$ offer because we banrupt borrowers?
The United States pays $17.4 million a year for use of the transit hub, under terms of a 2006 lease. About 15,000 troops and 500 tons of cargo move through Manas monthly. "I haven't written this off yet," Gates said.
--more--"
If it SLOWS the SLAUGHTER EFFORT and SAVES A FEW INNOCENT AFHGAN LIVES then I WILL THANK GOD for that -- until this abomination finally ends and we apologize and come home.
