Astana Considers Allowing Antiterrorist Coalition to Use Another Airfield

Move May Follow Earlier Provision of Almaty Airport to U.S. Air Force; Kazakhstan Also Provides Free Overflight for Coalition Aircraft

WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 19 - Kazakhstan is considering allowing participants of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan to use an airfield in the southern city of Shymkent, the country's defense chief said Feb. 17.

"The conclusion of an intergovernmental agreement between Kazakhstan and Spain on making the Shymkent airfield available for the antiterrorist coalition is being considered at the moment," Kazakhstan Defense Minister Army Gen. Mukhtar Altynbayev told Interfax.

This issue is being considered within the framework of Kazakhstan's ties with the antiterrorist coalition members, and the Shymkent airport is viewed as a possible reserve airfield for the coalition's air forces deployed at the Manas airport in Kyrgyzstan.

In July 2002, Kazakhstan and the U.S. signed a memorandum on using the Almaty airport, the country's largest, as a reserve field for military aircraft involved in the antiterrorist operation in Afghanistan. Under that agreement, Kazakhstan committed to providing the Almaty airport for U.S. Air Force to use in emergency situations.

Kazakhstan has also provided free overflight for coalition aircraft. So far more than 1,000 military planes flew through its airspace on the way to Afghanistan.

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