For 11 years Kyrgyzstan has been a reliable partner of the United States in joint efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan, the U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama wrote in a letter sent to the President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev, KyrTAG reported with reference to the press service of the Kyrgyz President on Tuesday.
"Kyrgyzstan has been a reliable partner of the United States in joint efforts on building peace and stability in Afghanistan for the last 11 years thanks to the placement of a transit center in 'Manas'. On behalf of the American people, I would like to express my deep appreciation for the invaluable contribution of your country in the implementation of this important mission," the letter says.
The U.S. president noted that 'the people of Kyrgyzstan adopted a far-sighted decision, choosing the path of democracy." Democracy-building process can be difficult, but history has proven that a government that reflects the will of the people is the best guarantor of peace and security. I want to assure you that the United States is committed to supporting your efforts in building a prosperous, peaceful and democratic future in your country," Obama emphasized.
Barack Obama also expressed his appreciation to Kyrgyzstan for the participation in investigating the causes of the crash of an American airplane on May 3 that killed three pilots.
"I express my gratitude to Your Government for the support during the rescue operations, and for your efforts assisting the progress of the full investigation conducted by the U.S. experts to determine the cause of the incident. Establishing the causes of this crash is important for the victims' families and for preventing similar tragedies in the future," the letter says.
'Manas' transit center is a transport hub of the Air Force United States, located at 'Manas' airport near Bishkek. Through the Center the U.S. Army sends people, ammunition and equipment to Afghanistan. 1.5 thousand U.S. and 700 Kyrgyz citizens work in the center.
About 25 thousand servicemen are transported through the air base every month in both directions. Besides this, the airplanes placed in the Center conduct 30 percent of air refueling of aircraft of the international coalition in the skies over Afghanistan. At least four C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft and 16 KC-135 Stratotanker tankers are placed at the Center.
The contract on the Transport Center expires in 2014 and, according to the President Almazbek Atambayev, will not be renewed.