Tajikistan Says No Need For Western Military In Region

19 July 2005 -- Tajik Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov said today that since the threat of Afghanistan for Central Asia has declined, the presence of Western military in the region is not needed.

Speaking to journalists in Dushanbe, Nazarov said there was no need for the permanent presence of military troops of the U.S.-led coalition in the region as Afghanistan is stabilizing.

Some 200 French Air Force personnel and two transport aircraft are currently based at Dushanbe airport to support operations in Afghanistan.

Elsewhere in Central Asia, the U.S. military is using the Khanabad air base near the southern Uzbek city of Karshi and the Ganci air base near the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek

Tajik Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov said today that since the threat of Afghanistan for Central Asia has declined, the presence of Western military in the region is not needed.

George Bush wishes to differ with your misled opinion.

Thus, you may as well go pound sand and make a couple of bucks doing so Tajik.

Some 200 French Air Force personnel and two transport aircraft are currently based at Dushanbe airport to support operations in Afghanistan.

Now they can go home for they and their cargo of sheets won't be needed.

Surrender isn't an option.

We can't sustain a presence in Central Asia without the invitation and permission of the Stans and the Russians, both.

While I have nothing against helping people overthrow governments we don't like, its always good to remember that if you try, and fail, that there may be repercussions.

Maintaining a base in a country does not make you responsible for the quality of that country's government. If its a dictatorship, its not your fault and you aren't necessarily honor-bound to overthrow the very government that invited you in.

Do the job you came to do, and keep your focus there. Don't actively help that government repress the people, but don't make it your business to get involved either way or you may be reminded that you are a guest. You may suddenly find it increasingly difficult to do business there, your logistical connections may become impossible, you may even be forced out.

Russia and the Stans are reminding us that we are guests. If we can afford to do without these bases, if their functions can be shifted to Bagram, then fine. Otherwise, its hat in hand time. Take the president's parents to dinner, and give his kid a scholarship to Harvard. And keep your eye on the prize.

Few understand the logistical constraints of prosecuting a war 800 miles from the SPOD. Sounds like you do.

I've seen those French aircraft. They support the French Commandos, who have been out prosecuting the war pretty well. I'm no apologist for Chirac, but the French on our side here, and good guys to have around.

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