Posted on 07/08/2005 8:21:20 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
July 8, 2005
Uzbeks Threaten to Evict U.S. From an Air Base Near Afghanistan
By ETHAN WILENSKY-LANFORD
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 7 - Uzbekistan on Thursday threatened to evict the United States military from an important air base near the border with Afghanistan.
The United States was allowed to use the Soviet-era base, in Karshi-Khanabad after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States and continues to use it to support the continuing military efforts in Afghanistan.
The statement on Thursday from Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry said it had allowed the base, where 800 American troops are stationed, to be established for the sole purpose of ousting Taliban rulers from Afghanistan.
"Any other prospects for a U.S. military presence in Uzbekistan were not considered by the Uzbek side," The Associated Press quoted the statement as saying.
The statement was released two days after a meeting of the Russia- and China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which called for the United States to set a timeline for withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan and Central Asia.
American relations with Uzbekistan have grown increasing strained recently, after a government crackdown in the wake of a prison break and protest in Andijon, in northeastern Uzbekistan, on May 13 in which hundreds of unarmed demonstrators died. Uzbek authorities restricted American military operations at the air base, in June after Washington officials called for an international inquiry into events in Andijon.
The Defense Department, State Department, Drug Enforcement Agency and Central Intelligence Agency have trained Uzbek military, police, and intelligence officers since at least the 1990's, according to American officials and Congressional records.
The relationship between the Bush administration and Uzbekistan, an autocratic and corrupt state with a poor human rights record, has become even more uncomfortable, though, since the May 13 events in Andijon, which human rights ...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I hope we did not spend too much money upgrading these facilities.
Well, U.S. could ship out all expensive stuffs, and blow up the rest.
Load up all on the C-17's and C-5's along with some C-130's and tell them goodbye! I wouldn't leave a bolt there. I would take down the buildings they put up -- they used to be called Red Horse squadrons not sure what they are called now but they put up buildings and they can certainly take them down. Leave the base like we found it! :)
They're still called Red Horse. Worked with them as a USAF cop many times. Amazing Civil Engineers, those Red Horse guys and girls.
Let the Russians back Karimov, let Americans back real democrats like Karzai in Afghanistan and the new Kyrghyz regime -- create incentives for good behavior.
Works for both parties.
Bagram can handle the work.
The Uzbeks by having America out, can continue with their ways, and Bush doesn't have to kowtow and badmouth Karimov for political purposes.
Karimov can try and coopt the secular opposition to his side, leaving jihadis in the dust.
With the combo of a US presence and political repression as things are, the jihadis have a powerful political strike.
Leaving Uzbekistan would help neutralise jihadis, and be benefical for the US.
Sometimes the locals know how handle the influx of jihadis armed with Saudi money and Pakistani training, a lot more better and decisively than America, hamstrung by domestic and geopolitical concerns.
the jihadis have a powerful political strike.
the jihadis have a powerful political STICK.
Thanks! They are fantastic -- figured with all the name changes in recent years someone might have changed their name as well.
This is showboating. If they wanted the US out they would also call for the closing of the NATO base.
They just want more money!
Civil? My dad was USAF Red Horse, two tours in Vietnam as a master electrician. Are the civilian now?
Indeed. We might have passed the word to the Uzbeks that now would be a good time for them to kick us out.
-ccm
No, that's just the name for their career field. They are military still. "CE" or Civil Engineers is the name they go by.
I forgot to add, if your dad is still with us, please give him this veteran's thanks for his service.
Dads gone now, but I still have some of his Red Horse memorabilia, Master Instructor badges....a cool article about the water pumps at Phang Rang (sp?)(apparently he worked on some of those, it's been a long time....). Thank you.
I was USAF and never knew that, thanks for the info.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.