Uzbekistan not to allow foreign military base deployment in its territory
"The Republic of Uzbekistan does not allow deploying the foreign military bases and facilities in its territory in accordance with the foreign policy concept of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved as a law on September 10, 2012," according to a statement posted on the official website of the foreign ministry. Previously, some online resources disseminated the information that the commander of the U.S Central Command, Gen. Lloyd Austin Jay III during his visit to Uzbekistan was negotiating the possible deployment of U.S. troops and military equipment, primarily the aircraft at the Termez airport located in the immediate vicinity of the border with Afghanistan. The U.S Central Command has denied these reports. "The head of the U.S. Central Command during the meetings in Tashkent did not discuss the plans for the possible deployment of the U.S. base in Uzbekistan," spokesman for the U.S. Central Command Brian Fickel said. It was reported that the commander of U.S. Central Command paid a visit to Uzbekistan in late July. During his visit he met with the foreign minister and defense minister. The General was also received by Uzbek President Islam Karimov. The U.S used the "Khanabad" military airfield in Kashkadarya region, 10 kilometers east of the city of Karshi from 2001 to 2005. Uzbekistan offered the U.S. to leave an air base after Washington criticized Tashkent's actions as part of the anti-terrorist operation in Andijan in May 2005, Kazinform refers to Trend.az. A new agreement on the use of the civilian airport near the city of Termez was signed in April 2010. Its terms were not disclosed. The U.S representatives have been authorized to use it since 2008.