DUSHANBE, February 25, 2004. (RIA Novosti) - The USA does not plan the deployment of major permanent bases in Central Asia, US ambassador to Tajikistan Richard Hoagland said in Dushanbe on Wednesday. However, the USA is to preserve its military presence in the region while the counter terrorist fight goes on.
Our coalition partners and we shall have military forces in the region until the war on terrorism continues in the region," the American diplomat said.
According to him, the United States would like to hold joint exercises with Tajikistan and is ready to train Tajik personnel.
Speaking about the US position on Russia's plans to deploy a military basis in Tajikistan, the ambassador said that the USA is not going to be Russia's rival in Central Asia.
