Kurmanbek Bakiyev

"The situation in Afghanistan has stabilized, so now we may begin discussing the necessity of the U.S. military forces' presence," a jubilant Bakiyev said after results showed his decisive victory in the June 10 presidential election.

His comments echoed recent calls by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a regional security body led by China and Russia, for the United States and its allies to set a date to withdraw their forces from the region.

Some 1,200 U.S. and South Korean troops are in Kyrgyzstan, the U.S. air base having been established at Bishkek's airport in late 2001. Either country can end the arrangement with 180 days' notice.

It was unclear whether Bakiyev, acting president since the March uprising that drove out longtime leader Askar Akayev, is under pressure from China and Russia, which itself has an air base in Kyrgyzstan.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 16, 2005
(C) All rights reserved