Kyrgyz plan to host anti-terror training center

[March 15, 2011]  BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AP) -- Kyrgyzstan's president says her Central Asian nation plans to host a U.S.-funded, anti-terrorism training center.

President Roza Otunbayeva said Tuesday that she discussed setting it up with U.S. officials during her visit to Washington last week. Otunbayeva proposed two potential sites in the southern towns of Batken and Kyzyl-Kiya near the country's poorly guarded borders with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Kyrgyzstan hosts a U.S. air base that is a key transportation and refueling hub for military operations in nearby Afghanistan. Kyrgyz officials have recently warned of a possible surge in terrorist activities in the impoverished former Soviet nation. Otunbayeva said Russia may build an anti-terrorism training facility in the southern town of Osh. [Associated Press] Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.