US may use Kyrgyz to attack Iran: Russia
Vladimir Radyuhin, The Hindu, Fec 23 2012
Russia has suggested that the US could use its Manas airbase in Kyrgyzstan to attack Iran. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Lukashevich told reporters on Wednesday:
It cannot be ruled out that this facility could be used in a potential conflict with Iran. Russia’s partners in Central Asia, including the president of Kyrgyzstan, are alarmed over the catastrophic consequences of a hypothetical military strike against Iran. They are also concerned that the argument for enforcing non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is being invoked to hide the desire to re-carve the geopolitical map of the large hydrocarbon-rich region which includes Central Asia. We hope that such an apocalyptic scenario will not be realised.
Moscow also warned Israel not to attack Iran as this would have “catastrophic” consequences. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gatilov told a news conference in Moscow on Wednesday:
Any possible military scenarios against Iran would be catastrophic for the region and probably for the global system of international relations. I hope Israel understands all these consequences.
Gatilov played down reports that international nuclear inspectors were disappointed with their visit to Iran this week. He cautioned against jumping at the conclusion “that the dialogue has failed, that it has hit a dead end,” saying:
I think we still have opportunity to continue diplomatic efforts, to resume the six-nation dialogue with Iran.
