Russia says it wants to help US in Afghanistan

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The Associated Press

President Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday that Russia and its ex-Soviet allies want to help the United States stabilize Afghanistan, saying Moscow wanted "full-fledged" cooperation with Washington.
He spoke a day after the ex-Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan announced it would evict the U.S. from an air base key to the Afghan war. Kyrgyzstan made the move after getting a promise for $2 billion in loans from Russia -- which resents the American presence in a region Moscow regards as part of its traditional sphere of influence.
The possibility of the base closure poses a serious challenge to the new U.S. administration and President Barack Obama's plan to send up to 30,000 more American forces into Afghanistan this year.
"Russia and other (alliance members) are ready for full-fledged comprehensive cooperation with the United States and other coalition members in fighting terrorism in the region. This fight must be comprehensive and include both military and political components. Only in the case will this have a chance to succeed," Medvedev said.
It was not clear if Medvedev's reference to "full-fledged" cooperation was an attempt to reassure Washington or an indication that Moscow would seek concessions in exchange for helping keep the Manas air base open.
In Washington, Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said Wednesday that about 1,000 U.S. troops -- and dozens each of French and Spanish -- are working at the base to move 15,000 people and 500 tons of cargo monthly through the facility for the Afghan campaign.
"Kyrgyzstan has been a good ally. And we certainly appreciate the arrangement that we have with them right now," Whitman told Pentagon reporters. "The base does contribute to the security and stability of Central Asia and Afghanistan."
Use of the facility is laid out in a July 2006 U.S.-Kyrgyz agreement that requires the U.S. to pay $17.4 million a year, renewable each year through July 2011 -- and with the option by either side to back out of the agreement with 180 days notice, Whitman said. Total U.S. assistance to the country is about $150 million a year, including health, police, human rights and economic programs.

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