Reuters AlertNet Lite - Kyrgyzstan threatens to review U.S. airbase deal

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Kyrgyzstan threatens to review U.S. airbase deal

15 Dec 2006 07:13:52 GMT
Source: Reuters

BISHKEK, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Kyrgyzstan threatened on Friday to review its agreement with the United States on the use of a military airbase in the Central Asian state following the fatal shooting of a Kyrgyz citizen by a U.S. airman.

U.S. relations with its key Central Asian partner soured this month after the U.S. Air Force airman killed a fuel truck driver at a checkpoint in a security incident.

On Friday Kyrgyzstan's parliament passed a resolution calling on the government to take tough action.

"Our assessment of this tragic incident has been too soft," member of parliament Kubanychbek Isabekov was quoted as saying by 24.kg news agency. Other MPs called on the government to evict U.S. troops altogether.

Around 1,000 U.S. airmen are stationed at the base, set up to support operations in nearby Afghanistan. It is also a big hard currency earner for the indebted former Soviet country.

Troops at the base cannot be prosecuted by Kyrgyz courts under an agreement between the two countries as they enjoy a similar status to diplomats.

U.S. forces said the airman from the base's security forces "used deadly force in response to a threat". Officials said the driver threatened him with a homemade knife.

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