The woman nominated by the White House to serve as the next ambassador to Kyrgyzstan predicts Manas Transit Center will be available to the U.S. military for as long as it's needed. In comments before the U.S. Senate panel considering her confirmation, nominee Pamela Spratlen said:

“While we've had our ups and downs with Kyrgyzstan, there have been negotiations over the exact elements of how we would cooperate with Kyrgyzstan to use the transit center, in every instance we've been able to come to an agreement with Kyrgyzstan on a way forward,” Spratten told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “I think the Kyrgyz authorities clearly understand the importance of a secure and stable Afghanistan. ... And I believe that it will be possible for us to continue to rely on the cooperation of the authorities of Kyrgyzstan for the use of the transit center for as long as we need it.”

Here's a link to coverage of the committee hearing by EurasiaNet.org: click here.

 

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