VOA News
January 13
awmakers from the U.S. House of Representatives visiting Central Asia are in Uzbekistan to assess its
military and
economic needs.
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Delegation members praised the former Soviet republic for agreeing last October to let U.S. troops use an airbase in Khanabad for the U.S.-led military campaign in neighboring Afghanistan. Representative Jim Kolbe said the United States has approved $100-million in aid to Uzbekistan, mostly for military training and security needs. The congressman, who is leading the delegation on a nine-day trip through central Asia, said he discussed future economic aid and cooperation with Uzbek President Islam Karimov. Meanwhile, a U.S. Senate delegation headed by majority leader Tom Dashle arrived in Uzbekistan Sunday for a four-day visit as Mr. Kolbe's group was to depart for Tajikistan. |
Diplomatic sources said Mr. Daschle's delegation plans to visit the Khanabad airbase, as well as the town of Termez on the Uzbek-Afghan border. Senator Daschle is also set to meet Wednesday with President Karimov.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and General Tommy Franks, who commands U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan, have all visited Uzbekistan since the beginning of the war.