Kyrgyz ruling party to consider deal with US on air base use.

BISHKEK, June 24 (Itar-Tass) - Kyrgyzstan's ruling party Ak-Zhol will consider a bill allowing the United States to continue use of the Manas airbase as a centre of transit shipments to Afghanistan, an official at the republic's Supreme Council told Itar-Tass.

The party occupies 71 of the 90 seats in the Kyrgyz parliament.
On Tuesday, several parliamentary committees adopted the
government-proposed bill.
Under the bilateral accord the U.S. will triple the rent it pays for
the use of the Manas base - from 17.5 million to 60 million U.S. dollars.
Washington will also build new aircraft parking slots and storage areas
and install new navigation systems.
In compliance with the new agreement not all U.S. servicemen will
enjoy the status of diplomatic immunity. Kyrgyzstan will be deprived of an
opportunity to inspect foreign cargoes and exempt transit duties. The
centre's personnel will be under criminal jurisdiction of the United
States.
The accord will be valid for five years and can be prolonged "after
reconsideration of provisions on rent payment."
"We've taken a decision to deploy the centre of transit shipments
proceeding from national interests and an alarming situation in
Afghanistan and Pakistan," Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Kadyrbek Sarbayev said.
Las February the Kyrgyz parliament took a decision on the withdrawal
of U.S. troops from the Manas base until August 18.