"Russia reaches deal to open 2d base in Kyrgyzstan" by Simon Shuster, Reuters | August 2, 2009
MOSCOW - Kyrgyzstan allowed Russia to open a second military base on its territory yesterday, expanding Moscow’s military reach to balance against the US presence in the Central Asian country.
The struggle for influence in the region intensified last month - days after President Obama completed his visit to Moscow - as senior Russian officials traveled to Bishkek to press for the creation of a Russian base.
Related: Obama Offs to Moscow With Love
The pressure from Moscow came after Kyrgyzstan allowed the United States to keep its air base at Manas, which is vital for supplying US forces fighting in Afghanistan.
Related: U.S. Caves to Kyrgyzstan Extortion
The Boston Globe Endorses Extortion
Kyrgyzstan had said in February that it was closing down the US air base after receiving a promise of $2 billion in crisis aid from Russia earlier in the year. But Washington responded with a payment of $180 million to keep the base open.
So it actually cost us THREE TIMES what the EARLIER REPORT SAID?
They told us it was going to be 3x the nearly 18 million!
Oh, right, they did qualify it by saying it would probably cost more.
Well, that is a LOT MORE!
O' Amerika, do you have that money to spend protecting oil pipelines and killing innocents over lies?
Yesterday, President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia and President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kyrgyzstan laid out the framework for the new base’s creation in an agreement that will be valid for 49 years with a possible 25-year extension. The agreement, posted on the Kyrgyz president’s website, said up to one battalion of Russian troops and a training center for Russian and Kyrgyz personnel will be housed at the base....
That's a pretty strong message to the U.S.
Yesterday’s agreement comes three days after Medvedev endorsed Bakiyev’s reelection last week in a poll that caused opposition protests and was condemned by Western observers as undemocratic.
ANOTHER COLOR-CODED COUP!!!!
Getting Bishkek to reverse its February decision to close the Manas air base was a crucial victory for Washington, which is seeking to more than double its presence in Afghanistan by year’s end to fight the Taliban insurgency.
More troops?
Related: Afghanistan commander General Stanley McChrystal to call for more US troops
Ever notice how quiet the war-promoting press keeps the escalations and killings, but has endless stories about Islamic and Muslim "suiciders" and "terrorists?"
Manas serves as a key refueling point for aircraft used in Afghanistan, and supply routes through Pakistan have proven less secure because of persistent militant attacks.
ANOTHER RARELY-MENTIONED, concealed aspect of the war.
Also another reason we gotta get into Pakistan, right?
Moscow has denied being behind the initial decision to close Manas, though it has made no secret of seeking to check US interests in the former Soviet Union, which it regards as its sphere of influence.
Related: Not In Our Back Yard!
--more--"For some reason, the Globe axed this printed brief from the web version:
"Accusations flare after mortar firings
TBILISI -- Authorities in the separtist Georgian region of South Ossetia said yesterday that two mortar shells were fired into the territory from Georgia proper.
USraeli client Georgia trying to kick up s*** again, huh?
Georgia denied the allegation and suggested it was a provocation ahead of the anniversary of last year's war with Russia.
Think I believe those liars?
After the reported attack, the Russian Defense Ministry said it was ready to use force to defend South Ossetia. Russia recognizes the region as independent and has thousands of troops stationed there. South Ossetia's information ministry said no one was injured by the two mortar rounds that it contends were fired from the Georgian hamlet of Ditsi toward a military observation post (AP)."
Also consider: Mystery in Moldova
Here's what I haven't seen a word about in the Globe, and let's you know what the big picture is for the region.
Russia and Iran Join Hands
Russia, Iran hold joint naval exercise in Caspian Sea
"Russia is sending a very clear, unambiguous signal to whatever adults may be left in the room in the halls of power in Tel Aviv and Washington; if you're even thinking about a military strike against Iran, you will also have Russia to contend with." -- Wake the Flock Up
USrael will be attacking Iran and they need to cut off Russian aid and supply lines.
They are crazy, people; psychopathic nutcases.
