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February 20, 2009

Kyrgyz President Orders Closure of US Base
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The president of Kyrgyzstan has signed into law a measure closing a US
military air base. The move came hours after the Kyrgyz Parliament
overwhelmingly approved the closure and ordered US forces out within six
months. Despite the call, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday
the US is finalizing a new offer to ensure continued use. The Manas Air
Base has played a central role in the US occupation of Afghanistan.



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