The Great Game - Bishkek centre stage

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), is 5 years old. It now includes China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and they will meet on June 15 in Shanghai - where it is rumoured Iran may announce joining ,President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will attend said Gholam-Hossein Elham, a government spokesperson, in early May.

.... and it is three weeks ahead of the G8 meeting in St. Petersburg.

Prior to this Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev (he took office last year after replacing Askar Akayev in the so called TULIP revolution.) has just completed first state visit to China and signed accord and trade deals with Chinese President Hu Jintao (see pic) and agreed work on technical evaluation and financing for the construction of a railway line also linking Uzbekistan.The two countries share 1,00 kilometres of border.

In the big red-carpet ceremony, Hu welcomed Bakiyev at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

Xinhua report that In talks with Bakiyev, Hu expressed appreciation of Kyrgyzstan's adherence to the one-China policy, as well as China's support for Kyrgyzstan's efforts in promoting social stability and economic development. Bakiyev told Hu that Kyrgyzstan will firmly support China's stance on the Taiwan issue and efforts in fighting terrorism.

"The two sides should enhance coordination in such international organizations as the United Nations and the SCO to facilitate peace and development in the region and the world," Hu said.

Bakiyev also met separately with China's top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday.

Kyrgistan military bases jostle in Bishkek

Both the United States and Russia have military bases near the capital Bishkek. At the present Bakayev has proposed tenfold increase in annual payments for the US - $200 million - for the US use of the Ganci airbase at Manas base, which has supported U.S.-led operations in nearby Afghanistan since 2001.

This base has taken on huge importance after neighboring Uzbekistan expelled U.S. forces from a base there last year and Bakiyev is under pressure from China and Russia to expel the 1000 US forces plus 40 French and 55 Spanish servicemen and several military cargo and refueling aircraft..

The Air Force Times reports that US Air Force Col. Joel Reese on Thursday took over command of the Manas air base in Kyrgyzstan last week amid signs that a payment dispute that had threatened its future in the ex-Soviet republic is close to being solved.

On June 2nd the US Embassy in Bishkek confirmed the conclusion of a round of negotiations between the Kyrgyz Republic, led by Foreign Minister Alikbek Djekshenkulov, and the United States, led by Ambassador Robert Loftis.

Wonderfully, UK interest are looked after by an Honorary Consul, Mike Astoparthis who is based in Bishkek. His contact details are: C/o Fatboys, 104 Prospekt Chui, Bishkek 720040, Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Tel: (0996) 312-680815, Mobile (0996) 502-584245, Email: fatboys@elcat.kg

Analysts close to Cheney's office say Russia and China are joining forces to fight against U.S. interests in Central Asia - which is hardly rocket science. Rice swung by earlier this year on her hectic drive by diplomacy and met President Bakayev - see pic.

According to Colonel-General Vladimir Mikhailov, commander of the Russian air force, by the end of 2006 Russia will have increased its military presence at Kant near Bishkek by 150%. The move to strengthen the airbase underlines Moscow's commitment to promoting its military and security interests in Kyrgyzstan,

Deputy Defense Minister Boris Yugay has been much more explicit regarding how much the Bakiyev regime relies on Russia in its efforts to strengthen security. Kyrgyzstan is ensuring security, in his view, primarily through its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). He believes the CSTO should ensure stability and security in Kyrgyzstan as well as across the Central Asian region.