U.S. envoy to Russia denies plans to use Kyrgyz base against IranFebruary 23, 2012 - 17:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. ambassador in Russia Michael McFaul denied on Thursday, February 23 that the U.S. base in Kyrgyzstan would be used in case of a military conflict with Iran, RIA Novosti reported. “Manas Transit Center contributes to help stabilize and secure Afghanistan and will only be used for that purpose,” McFaul wrote in his Twitter microblog. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed concern on Wednesday that the United States may use its base in Manas as part of a military conflict against Iran because of its proximity to the Islamic Republic (the distance between Kyrgyz capital Bishkek and Tehran is about 1,331 miles) The U.S. began operations at the Manas base near the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek in 2001 in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks to support military operations against the Taliban in Afghanistan. It remains a key supply facility for the ongoing military campaign there. The base lease agreement expires in the summer of 2014 and Kyrgyzstan has no plans to prolong the contract. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life, Strong Mind IDBank and Idram summarize the results of the May program of “The Power of One Dram”. Yerevan State University, Ucom sign Memorandum of Cooperation Rector of Yerevan State University Hovhannes Hovhannisyan and General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian signed the memorandum. EU to provide budgetary support to Armenia The agreement is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the educational system of Armenia. Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. |