U.S. Central Asian ambassadors hold consultations in Uzbek capital
Associated Press
September 6The U.S. ambassadors to the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia discussed American policy in the region in two days of talks in Uzbekistan's capital, the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent said Friday.
The United States has become increasingly involved in Central Asia since beginning its military campaign in Afghanistan, which borders three of the former Soviet republics. About 2,000 U.S. troops are currently deployed at bases in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and the coalition forces are allowed to use airspace over Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
The meeting, an annual event aimed at coordinating the U.S. policy in Central Asia, was attended by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State B. Lynn Pascoe, who is in charge of relations with Central Asia, the Caucasus and Southeast Europe.
On Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan John Herbst, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Franklin Huddle, U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Larry Napper, U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan John O'Keefe and U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan Laura Kennedy discussed the regional situation with Uzbek President Islam Karimov.
On Friday the diplomats discussed the region's security and economic and political development and issues of promoting cooperation between the five Central Asian nations, the embassy said.