Uzbekistan pursues only its own interests in cooperation with USA


Uzbek TV
December 6

Uzbek President Islam Karimov has said that, in cooperating with the USA against terrorism, Uzbekistan pursues only its own interests and the interests of securing a peaceful future for its people. Addressing the Uzbek parliament on 6 December, he said:

"I would like to say the following: First, Uzbek-US legislation provides an answer to the question `For what purposes will the USA use this air base and within what limits?'. There are no grounds for doubts and assumptions in this respect. Second, any independent and sovereign country and its leader who is responsible to that nation have the right to make a decision in pursuit of the interests of the state and people. I must reiterate that the decision taken in this respect pursues only the interests of Uzbekistan, the interests of securing a peaceful future, calm and stability for Uzbekistan."