'', The Associated Press, 19 February 2009

EXCERPT: "Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted Thursday to close a key U.S. air base in the country -- a move that could hamper President Barack Obama's efforts to increase the number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Deputies voted 78-1 with two abstentions for the government-backed bill to cancel the lease agreement on the Manas air base, a transit point for 15,000 troops and 500 tons of cargo each month to and from Afghanistan. The move follows Russia's offer of $2.15 billion in aid and loans to the impoverished Central Asian country. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in Poland for NATO talks, said the United States would consider paying more rent to continue using the strategic base. Speaking after the parliament vote in Kyrgyzstan, Gates said he considers talks still open over the future of the base. Russia has denied pushing Kyrgyzstan to shut the base, but U.S. officials were skeptical. Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev -- who announced the planned eviction and whose government introduced the legislation -- is expected to sign the bill in the coming weeks. Once Kyrgyz authorities issue an eviction notice, the United States will have 180 days to leave the base."

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See also:
'Supply routes for Western troops in Afghanistan', Reuters, 19 February 2009
'', VOA News, 19 February 2009
'Gates says US would pay more for Kyrgyz base', Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, 19 February 2009
'Petraeus knocks on Uzbekistan's door as Kyrgyz base gets the boot', The Christian Science Monitor, 19 February 2009

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