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Russian general says US plans bases in Central Asia: report
Moscow (AFP) Dec 16, 2008 Russia's military chief accused the United States on Tuesday of planning to set up new military bases in ex-Soviet Central Asia, an oil-rich region that Moscow views as its backyard, Interfax reported. "According to our data, (the US) is planning to establish military bases in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan," Russia's top military officer, General Nikolai Makarov, was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency. US officials have repeatedly denied such plans. The Manas Air Force Base in Kyrgyzstan is currently the only US military base in Central Asia. Following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, Russia welcomed the US military presence in Central Asia but later grew nervous over the growing number of American troops in the oil-rich region. In 2005, Uzbekistan shut down a US military base used to support missions in Afghanistan. However, both Uzbekistan and neighbouring Central Asian giant Kazakhstan have recently sought closer ties with Washington. Makarov said America's growing military presence in Europe and Washington's support for Georgian and Ukrainian bids to join NATO was threatening for Russia. "The US has encircled all the world's regions with military bases, including Europe," he said, speaking at the Academy of Military Sciences. He also expressed doubt that ties between Russia and the US would improve under the Barack Obama's new administration which takes over from President George W. Bush next month. "If someone thinks that the situation in the world principally changes with the arrival to the White House of the new administration, then he will make a grave mistake," Makarov said. Share This Article With Planet Earth
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