U.S., Uzbekistan sign program of security cooperation

ASTANA. November 17. KAZINFORM General James Mattis, Commander, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), who is on visit to Tashkent, and Uzbek Defense Minister, General-Major Kabul Berdiev signed the 2011 Program of Security Cooperation between USCENTCOM and the Defense Ministry of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the local media reported, Kazinform refers to Trend News.

The program outlines a series of mutually agreed-upon engagements and training opportunities for fiscal year 2011.

General Mattis came to Uzbekistan on Nov.15 on his initial round of visits to the region to see and hear personally from Uzbek officials. During the visit, General Mattis met with Uzbek government officials and exchanged views on regional security issues, including the situation in Afghanistan.

Having replaced David Petraeus on August 11, 2010, Mattis previously commanded United States Joint Forces Command, Kazinform cites Trend News. See www.en.trend.az