Rice: US not out to undermine Russia in Central Asia
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-10-11 09:48

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, heading to Central Asia on a four-nation tour, said the United States was not attempting to undermine Russia in the strategic region.

"In no way are our relationships in Central Asia aimed at anyone," said Rice, who was en route to Kyrgyzstan for the first leg of her trip.

"In other words, we want these countries to have good relations with their neighbors, especially good relations with Russia," Rice said.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) stands next to a Kyrgyz falconeer during a visit to Bishkek October 11, 2005. Rice arrived in Kyrgyzstan on the first leg of her Central Asia tour. [Reuters]

After traveling to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Rice was due to visit Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan this week.

Rice said Washington recognized that Central Asian countries had strong ties to Moscow.

"They have longstanding ties with Russia -- economic and other ties -- and it's only natural that those relationships are going to continue," Rice said.

The US State Department has described Rice's visit as an effort to promote democratic and economic reform in states threatened by Islamic extremism.

"The United States looks forward to broader, deeper, stronger relations, to being a partner as they reform economically, politically and as we fight the war on terror," Rice said.

Washington also is anxious to secure access to air bases in the region for operations in Afghanistan, where a US-led invasion toppled the Taliban regime four years ago.

The United States is due to lose access to Uzbekistan's Karshi-Khanabad air base, which has been used as a staging area and supply center.

Uzbekistan decided to evict the US military in retaliation for Washington's criticism of a bloody crackdown on protests in May.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov said on Friday he wanted to explore a new post-Soviet "alliance" with Russia, which could significantly strengthen Moscow's presence in his country.

Uzbekistan was left off Rice's itinerary.

To make up for the loss of the air base in Uzbekistan, the US hopes to increase operations at a base in Kyrgyzstan. US officials are also seeking to seal a deal for overflight and refueling privileges granted by Tajikistan.

Washington also faced challenges in trying to balance its strategic concerns with its goal of promoting democratic change among friends and foes alike.

In Kyrgyzstan, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was struggling to push through reforms six months after a popular revolt brought him to power.

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) greets his Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after he delivered a speech on the war in Iraq and the war on terror at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington October 6, 2005. [Reuters/file]

In Tajikistan, the leader of the main opposition party has been sentenced to 23 years in prison, prompting expressions of concern from the US administration.

Rice urged Kazakhstan to hold free elections in December when President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who has ruled the country since the Soviet era, will seek another seven-year term.

"We believe that the relationship with Kazakhstan can be even stronger than it is. It's already a strong relationship, but it can deepen.

"It's important that the elections that take place there are elections that are free and fair and that meet international standards," Rice said.

Rice may add Pakistan to her schedule after a massive earthquake struck in the north of the country on Saturday, killing 30,000 to 40,000 people.