20 March 2002
Summary
Uzbek President Islam Karimov came away from a discreet visit to the White House March 15 with enough goodies in hand to be considered Washington's chief proxy in Central Asia. With the U.S. military systematically dismantling what he considers his primary opposition, Karimov now has a free hand to be Central Asia's top power. But this will likely generate more problems for the United States in the long term.
Summary
Uzbek President Islam Karimov came away from a discreet visit to the White House March 15 with enough goodies in hand to be considered Washington's chief proxy in Central Asia. With the U.S. military systematically dismantling what he considers his primary opposition, Karimov now has a free hand to be Central Asia's top power. But this will likely generate more problems for the United States in the long term.
Analysis
During a meeting in Washington last week with Uzbek President Islam Karimov, U.S. President George W. Bush tripled bilateral aid to Uzbekistan to $160 million, called Tashkent a "strategic partner" and warned
During a meeting in Washington last week with Uzbek President Islam Karimov, U.S. President George W. Bush tripled bilateral aid to Uzbekistan to $160 million, called Tashkent a "strategic partner" and warned
that the United States would "regard with grave concern" any threats to Uzbekistan's security. The triple bonus of cash, prestige and American protection is a far cry from the annoyed neglect Karimov received from the Clinton administration.
