Upping the rent for Russia

Russia intends to cut a deal with Kyrgyzstan that would allow it to keep its five military bases in the country operational for 49 more years, as well as open a new one. Along with a Russian air base in Kant, Kyrgyzstan hosts Moscow’s naval training and research centre at Lake Issyk-Kul, and two seismic and communication facilities in the Chuyisk region. It’s believed a new base will add stability to the region, which earlier this year saw hundreds of Uzbeks killed in ethnic riots. But having bases in Kyrgyzstan is also a strategic move for Russia, which seeks to elbow out the United States and China and assert a strong military presence in the ex-Soviet republic.

In return, Kyrgyzstan authorities want Russia to exchange small arms and military hardware. But they also want cash. Kyrgyz Defence Minister Abibilla Kudayberdiev said that if Moscow continues using bases in Kyrgyzstan, he wants to increase the rent more than fourfold, from US$4.5 million annually to upwards of US$18 million. The deal has yet to be settled, but analysts say it probably won’t be until after the country’s elections on Oct. 10, the first vote since former president Kurmanbek Bakiyev was unseated in a violent revolt in April.