"Russia is not ready to leave the Baikonur cosmodrome today or in 2000, even if they wanted to. It's technically impossible," Meibek Moldabekov told journalists.

"But if Kazakhstan creates more difficulties, (Russia) may refuse to use Baikonur in 2004 or 2005," he said.

His comments marked a turn-around from previous official complaints about Moscow's failure to pay rent for Baikonur and its disregard for perceived environmental damage caused by rocket launches.

Kazakhstan's grievances over Russia's use of Baikonur peaked in July and again in October after Russia botched two launches and the rockets spewed toxic fuel and rocket parts where they crashed on the Kazakh steppe.

Following the accidents, the two former Soviet republics set up a joint-commission to deal with problems surrounding Russia's use of the cosmodrome, which Kazakhstan inherited after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Moldabekov said Russia has paid its 1999 rent of 115 million dollars -- half in cash, half in kind -- for Baikonur.

In addition, Russia has paid up to 40 million dollars to the city of Baikonur and 17 million dollars for energy payments in 1999, he said.

"We need to remember that there are some positive aspects from us having Baikonur, 115 million dollars is not a small amount," he said.

Russia also is working out an agreement on commercial launches that would give Kazakhstan more benefits from the lucrative missions, he said.