Kyrgyzstan's President Kurmanbek Bakiyev on Saturday called for stronger diplomatic efforts to ensure security in this ex-Soviet nation which he said was at risk from unrest in neighboring Afghanistan. "We're experiencing a negative effect from the instability in Afghanistan, drug trafficking and international terrorism," Bakiyev told lawmakers and Cabinet officials. He said that Kyrgyzstan's location in Central Asia where global powers' strategic interests meet raises the need for a balanced foreign policy. Kyrgyzstan neighbors China and hosts both U.S.-allied and Russian air bases. Earlier this week, Bakiyev reassured visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that U.S.-led troops supporting combat operations in Afghanistan could stay in Kyrgyzstan as long as the war on terror continues. Bakiyev warned his ministers Saturday to be careful when making statements on foreign policy so as not to damage relations with other nations. He said that Kyrgyzstan has new opportunities to develop relations with Russia, the United States, Arab states and neighboring nations.
