A Russian delegation arrived in Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday to discuss setting up an air base in the Central Asian state, which emerged as a strategic partner in the U.S. \"war on terrorism\". The delegation, led by Deputy Air Force Commander Anatoly Nagovitsyn, is due to discuss an accord on the establishment of a Russian air base at Kant, some 20 kilometers (12 miles) outside Bishkek, a Defense Ministry spokesman said. The Russian officials are expected to spend Tuesday and Wednesday checking out facilities in the base before traveling to Bishkek to hold talks Thursday with Kyrgyz Defense Minister Esen Topoyev, the spokesman added. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has previously said that a final decision on the use of the air base will be made in April or May, according to Interfax. (Tehran Times)