World Bank Supports Second On-Farm Irrigation Project

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates flew to Kyrgyzstan -- the only country in the world to host both U.S. and Russian military bases -- to discuss the continued U.S. use of the Manas Air Base to support operations in Afghanistan.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates discussed bilateral military cooperation with Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev in Bishkek today, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Some 50 leftist and pro-Russian activists rallied today in front of the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan calling for the closure of a U.S. military base at Manas airport outside the capital Bishkek, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Some Kyrgyz opposition members began collecting signatures today for a referendum on a confederation with Russia.

Kyrgyzstan says it will not allow the United States to use its military base at Bishkek's Manas Airport to launch possible attacks inside Iraq or Iran.

The speaker of Kyrgyzstan's parliament, Marat Sultanov, said today he has asked Russian officials to provide aid to Kyrgyzstan to help guard his Central Asian republic's borders, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbaev and Kyrgyzstan's President Kurmanbek Bakiev held talks in Bishkek today aimed at improving bilateral ties, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Some 30 human rights and youth activists rallied today in Bishkek to demand the release of detained opposition members, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported. Among those detained following violence at recent rallies in Kyrgyzstan are opposition leaders Omurbek Subanaliev and Omurbek Abdyrakmanov. Also being held is Adilet Aitikeev, the head of the Kanjar opposition youth movement.

Authorities in Kyrgyzstan today rejected allegations that they are persecuting the country's political opposition, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz service reports. Speaking at a news conference in Bishkek today, State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov said Kyrgyzstan's political opposition is confusing the fight against criminality with "political persecution."

The United States protested a raid by security forces in Kyrgyzstan on a facility where opposition newspapers are printed. The police action in the capital Bishkek early Friday followed several days of protests against the government of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

The Kyrgyz government has banned any continuation of opposition rallies after clashes broke out between police and demonstrators last night in Bishkek, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.