Uzbekistan: Centcom Commander Petraeus Visits Tashkent

Gen. David Petraeus, the chief of US Central Command, was in Uzbekistan on April 6 for meetings with Uzbek leaders, including President Islam Karimov.

"Gen. Petraeus routinely visits the countries in his area of responsibility to better understand these nations' various perspectives. Gen. Petraeus will meet with President Karimov to discuss areas of mutual interest," a spokeswoman for the US embassy in Tashkent told EurasiaNet on April 6.

Prior to visiting Tashkent, Petraeus held a series of meetings with Kazakhstani officials in Astana.
Speaking at a news conference in Astana, Petraeus reiterated that the United States has no plans to open new military facilities in either Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan. Both countries however play important roles in the Northern Distribution Newtork, a supply line for US and NATO troops serving in Afghanistan.