Afghanistan

[classicman]

Under the plan approved Tuesday by a Kyrgyz parliamentary committee, the United States will more than triple the rent that it pays to use the Manas airbase.

Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Kadyrbek Sarbayev has told lawmakers the U.S. will pay the Kyrgyz government $60 million a year for rent. The previous rent was just under $17.5 million. Sarbayev says the U.S. has also agreed to pay at least $36 million for airport improvements, $30 million for new navigational equipment and more than $40 million for economic development and anti-drug trafficking measures.

The deal appears to place new restrictions on U.S. activities at the base, only shipping of non-military supplies.

Hell of a deal -
Triple the rent
+36 million in improvements
+30 million for equiptment
+40 million for "economic development"
AND More restrictions - "only shipping of non-military supplies."

What a deal! I'm thrilled - Who was the sharp tack who negotiated that? The primary purpose of that base was to supply the troops in Afghanistan.