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Bishkek says Manas airport will be used only for civil purposes

Politics Materials 20 April 2009 12:57 (UTC +04:00)

Kyrgyzstan authorities do not plan to use Manas airport for military purposes following withdrawal of American airbase, Kyrgyz Security Council Chairman Adakhan Madumarov said.

"Manas airport will not be handed over to any legal entity or individual (following withdrawal of airbase). It will be used only for civil purposes," Interfax quoted Madumarov as saying at a press conference on April 20.

Madumarov said nor neither Kyrgyz authorities nor other states have proposed to transport non-military cargo via Manas airbase.

He said Kyrgyzstan has already signed an agreement with Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to transit non-military cargo. "Our country adopted respective decision (withdrawal of airbase)," Madumarov said.

The details and schedule of withdrawal have been coordinated with the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry and will be implemented soon, he added.

Manas airbase is expected to be withdrawn from Kyrgyzstan until August 19.

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