U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2008)

U.S. Department of State

Remarks to the Press in the Kyrgyz Republic

Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs
Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
October 17, 2008

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QUESTION: Olga Zubenko, Reuters. I have the following question: Lately analysts have been saying that President Bakiyev has become more and more pro-Russian. What do you think about this?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BOUCHER: I don't think we criticize any relationships that you have. We're not here for any competition or any games to play with other countries. Our interest is in the independence of Kyrgyzstan and the welfare of the people of Kyrgyzstan. We expect the government to have good relationships and to develop its relations as much as possible with neighbors like Russia. I guess north, south, east, west, Kyrgyzstan needs to have relations with China, Europe, India, with us far away. The more relations you have, the more choices you have, the more independence you have. That's our interest -- ensuring the independence of Kyrgyzstan. So, we're glad to see Kyrgyzstan take advantage of these opportunities, as long as they contribute to the independence and the prosperity of Kyrgyzstan.

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QUESTION: Associated Press. Lately, in our press, there was information about an analysis about the efficiency of the activities of the Base which determined that Base operations are 80% inefficient.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY BOUCHER: I never heard of that -- another one of those stories that you encounter here, that I don't know why people spread them. We work a lot with the country in different ways. Everybody's a partner in the fight against terrorism. Everybody's a partner in the fight against narcotics. And that includes countries like China and Russia. Different countries are involved in Afghanistan in different ways. Some of the immediate neighbors are providing, selling electricity to Afghanistan to help keep the lights on for the people of Kabul. Other neighbors transport supplies -- some of that comes down through Russia and Central Asia, supplies that are needed by the Afghan government and the Coalition, some of that's by air through Manas, some of that's by air through other countries and other bases, some of that's by road, some of that's by rail. So, all these efforts are important. Everybody's contribution is important, including the contribution that Kyrgyzstan makes.

The efficiency of the Base is that it provides a route for personnel and some supplies. Other people and supplies go through other routes. And I think it's just that we need…we're all in this together. It's a problem for all of us. If we fix it, it's an opportunity for all of us. As the Afghan government stabilizes Afghanistan with the support of foreign countries and neighbors, it presents a new opportunity for people for trade and energy and outlets to the sea. So the Base is an important part of that and will be until we finish the job.

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