Antigua and Barbuda, former island colonies of Great Britain with 70,000 inhabitants, signed an agreement with American officials to extend the lease of the US Air Force tracking base, well into 2008 before it is necissary to renew, a base whose use dates back to the 1960s, and that the US will continue to pay the rent of $1.25 million dollars for the land. The principal function of the Antiguan Air Force base is to track on radar, spacecraft launches from Cape Kennedy, as well as conduct mid-range operations with flying spacecraft. Additionally, as a part of the agreement between the US Envoy and Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer involved a donation of $90,000 to the maintenance of the V.C. Bird International Airport.