Kyrgyzstan, October 05: Kyrgyzstan will on Monday consider renewing permission for French and Spanish troops to use its Manas air base with the U.S. military for operations in Afghanistan, parliamentary officials said.
Kyrgystan cancelled deals with France and Spain in March, when it overturned the main agreement with the United States on use of the base.
“The committee on international affairs will today review two draft agreements on the presence of Spanish and French military in Kyrgyzstan as part of joint efforts to combat terrorism,” parliamentary spokesman Avlanbek Jumabayev said.
Parliament is dominated by loyalists of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and there is little doubt the bills will fly smoothly through the legislature.
Bakiyev announced the cancellation of the agreement on a visit to Moscow, where Russia said it would offer $2 billion in crisis aid to the impoverished country.
Washington later renegotiated a higher rent and is continuing to use the base for its operations in Afghanistan.
According to drafts obtained by Reuters, France will be allowed to have 40 servicemen and one refuelling plane at Manas. The agreement with Spain has no details on the number of people or equipment.
—-Agencies