18
TheUnited States and its NATO Allies have also benefitted tremendously from the
cooperation of the Central Asian states, five of which border on Afghanistan and all of which
have provided support to Operation Enduring Freedom in various forms, including bases,
overflights, and re-fueling facilities.
30
Tajikistan has allowed coalition aircraft to refuel at
Dushanbe International Airport
31
and, along with Turkmenistan, facilitated the transfer of
humanitarian aid into Afghanistan. For its part, Krygzstan permitted the Manas civilian airport
to be used as a primary base for coalition air support for troops in Afghanistan.
32
Kazakhstan
also made its territory available for supply purposes.
Uzbekistan, in particular, has been key to the United States’ efforts against al Qaeda and
the Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Approximately 1,500 U.S. troops are based at the Karshi-
Khanabad military installation, which the government offered rent-free. The U.S. also engages
with the Uzbek government on military-to military-cooperation, antiterrorism efforts, border
30
A. Elizabeth Jones, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Testimony before the
subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia, House International Relations Committee, Washington, DC,
October 29, 2003 (http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/2003/25798.htm)
31
Garamone, “Central Asia, Crucial to War on Terror,” June 27, 2002.
32
U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet, “Frequently Asked Question about U.S. Policy in Central Asia,”
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Washington, DC, November 27, 2002
(http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/fs/15562.htm).
Convention