02-09-2010 09:56:37

U.S.: No military base in Tajikistan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States will not open a military base in Tajikistan despite media reports to the contrary, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake said Wednesday following a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Itar-Tass agency reported.

The announcement dispels media reports that the United States wanted to establish a base in Central Asia to transport cargo to Afghanistan. While the U.S. military does not intend to open a base in Tajikistan, the United States wants to cooperate with the Central Asian country on security issues, the advancement of democracy, observance of human rights, counternarcotics trafficking and border security with Afghanistan, Blake said.

TAGS: United States, military base, Tajikistan, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake, meeting, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Central Asia, transport cargo, Afghanistan, advancement of democracy, observance of human rights, counternarcotics trafficking, border security