Azymbek Beknazarov, the acting prosecutor general, is deputy leader of the interim government and is likely retain a position of power when the permanent government is formed, giving him significant sway over the Manas base.

Since a bloody uprising that culminated in the toppling of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the interim government's leader has announced the Manas air base can remain open for another year when the current lease expires in July.

"All the Americans care about is that the military base stays," Beknazarov said. "They forgot about freedom, about democratic values. They forgot about Kyrgyzstan - they are only looking at their military base."

"In my opinion, the presence of the Manas center is not justified," he said.

Beknazarov and others in the interim government charge the U.S. with ignoring their oppression when they opposed Bakiyev because it wanted to protect Manas.

Beknazarov, who resigned as prosecutor general after falling out with Bakiyev in 2005, The base began operating several months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and is the premier air mobility hub for U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Russia, which also has a base in Kyrgyzstan, sees the country as part of its sphere of influence and detests the presence of U.S. troops.

Beknazarov declined to comment on whether he or anyone in the interim government will attempt to initiate the closure of the base.