Around 1,500 US troops in Uzbekistan waiting relocation


Russian AVN Military News Agency
December 6

As many as 1,500 US servicemen are staying at the Khanabad aircraft base near the Uzbek city of Karshi but none of them have crossed the Afghan border, Uzbek President Islam Karimov told reporters on Thursday [6 December] after a regular session of the republic's parliament. the republic.

"At least the US party did not ask for their permanent stationing in Uzbekistan," Karimov said. Karimov once again confirmed that the Uzbek troops would not be sent to Afghanistan to maintain law and order. Uzbek specialists are working at the Friendship Bridge over across the Amudarya River near Termez preparing it for transit of humanitarian cargo to Afghanistan. However the bridge will be closed until the security of Termez and nearby territories is guaranteed.

"Opening of the bridge opening is a political action," Karimov stressed. Speaking about the factors that explain the quick victory of the Northern Alliance forces over the Taleban, Karimov mentioned the cancellation of Pakistan's support to the Taleban regime and its refusal to let Islamic volunteers into Afghanistan. Among other important factors are cancellation of financial aid to the Taleban from Middle Eastern countries, US Air Force strikes that destroyed airfields, ordnance and stocks, restoration of combat capacity of the Northern Alliance and finally support of the anti-terrorist coalition by the Afghan people who have got tired of the Taleban regime, he said.