(Reuters) - The United States on Monday welcomed statements from Kyrgyzstan's interim government that it will abide by agreements covering a U.S. air base that supports military operations in Afghanistan.
"It is very good news that Ms. Otunbayeva said that they will continue to abide by those agreements and of course the United States is prepared to talk at any time with her and members of the provisional government about these arrangements," Blake told a news briefing.
He spoke before leaving for Kyrgyzstan for meetings with Otunbayeva and others. He will be the highest U.S. diplomat to go there since President Kurmanbek Bakiyev fled the capital and Otunbayeva claimed power after a crackdown on opposition protesters led to violence that killed at least 82 people.
Blake said the United States was not formally recognizing the self-proclaimed government, comprised of Bakiyev opponents, but did not consider it to have taken power in a coup and offered strong suggestions of support.
"My main goal will be to hear from the Kyrgyz administration about their assessment of the law and order situation, the steps that they plan to take during their six-month interim administration to organize democratic elections and a return to democracy, and how we might be able to help them to restore democracy and economic growth," Blake said.
He said many victims in last week's violence were killed by supporters of Bakiyev.
Blake said there were no plans to meet with Bakiyev, who has been seeking to muster support in the southern part of country, but stressed that the dispute over power must be handled without violating the constitution.
NO COMMENT ON RUSSIA'S ROLE
Blake would not comment on speculation that Russia, which has bristled at the U.S. military presence in Kyrgyzstan, may have had a hand in driving Bakiyev from power.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was quick to call Otunbayeva last week, essentially recognizing her government, and Russian officials harshly criticized Bakiyev.
After receiving a Russian pledge of more than $2 billion in assistance, Bakiyev last year said Kyrgyzstan would evict U.S. forces from the base, which opened in 2001. He later reversed course and agreed to keep the base open at a higher price.
The Manas transit center is now used by the United States under a five-year agreement that expires in July 2014 and is based on a year-by-year renewable lease, a Pentagon official said.
After last week's upheaval, members of Otunbayeva's government had suggested the base lease would be shortened.
Blake welcomed Otunbayeva's indication that would not happen but cautioned, "We're sort of in a limbo period right now because we're between governments."
He said he expected to discuss the base on his visit but suggested the United States would not push hard now for further commitments.
"They've got a lot of other things on their plate that they have to sort out ... so when they're prepared to talk about this, we will be glad to have those conversations," he said.
Kyrgyzstan would have to give six months notice if it wants to evict U.S. forces.
The U.S. Embassy said the transit of troops to and from Afghanistan, halted due to the upheaval, had resumed.
But the Pentagon said on Monday that some inbound passenger flights were being sent elsewhere. Past decisions to restrict such flights have been attributed to security concerns.
"The base is back to full operations but for now some of the inbound personnel are going through other ports," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. He gave no reason but said, "There are other places that we can ferry troops in from".
Editing by David Storey
Reuters
