New York Times - 04.14.2005

New York Times

Rumsfeld Gets Assurances From Kyrgyzstan on U.S. Air Base

By THOM SHANKER 

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld received assurances today that the American military could continue using an air base in this Central Asian republic that was roiled by street protests that toppled the previous government in March.

The logistics and cargo mission operated by the American military from Manas air base, just outside the capital, has been central to the effort in Afghanistan. About 800 American service personnel operate from the airfield, which also is home to KC-135 air-to-air refueling jets and other aircraft used to ferry troops, their equipment and supplies to and from Afghanistan.

The acting prime minister, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, emerged from a meeting with Mr. Rumsfeld to tell reporters that he had "assured the secretary of defense that the Kyrgyz Republic will comply with all the international agreements we have signed, including with the United States."

Concerns were raised about the status of American access to the base after the former president, Askar Akayev, fled the republic under pressure from sustained street protests, and the creation of a new government appeared deadlocked. As of this week, a presidential election has been rescheduled for July 10.

Mr. Rumsfeld, as the first senior American official to visit here during the political turmoil, also discussed a broader set of issues with the acting Kyrgyz leadership, according to a senior Defense Department official.

"We encourage them to move towards a free and fair, open, transparent election where the votes of the people are accurately counted and the will of the people is finally translated into who's elected to lead them," the official said.

Although the street protests that brought down the government were similar in style to those that swept aside leaders in several other former Soviet republics, the future of the political process here remains uncertain, with politicians and business interests that flourished under the previous leadership poised to seek power now.

During a news conference, Mr. Bakiyev said he discussed with Mr. Rumsfeld the interim leadership's commitment to democracy and political reform. "I have made it very clear that we, the new government of the Kyrgyz republic, will be fully committed to make every effort to make sure the upcoming presidential election is in full compliance with the constitution of the Kyrgyz republic, with the laws of the Kyrgyz republic and international standards," he said.

Mr. Rumsfeld flew to Kyrgyzstan today after an overnight stop in Pakistan, where he held talks late Wednesday with the Pakistani president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

A senior Pentagon official said they discussed Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the Bush administration's recent approval of the sale of F-16 fighters to the Pakistani military.