U.S. to increase aid for Uzbekistan

By Elise Labott
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush administration will ask Congress for a hefty increase in aid for Uzbekistan to help the nation defray its costs in the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism, the State Department said Friday.

The administration will ask Congress for roughly $100 million for the new package, officials said.

The proposed request follows a meeting earlier Friday between Secretary of State Colin Powell and Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov. Their talks centered on their continuing cooperation in the war against terrorism, officials said.

"We discussed the regional situation and especially the latest in Afghanistan, and (what) would be the new level of relationship between Uzbekistan and the United States," Kamilov said following the meeting.

COUNTRY PROFILE At a glance: Uzbekistan Provided by CountryWatch.com    CNN.com Asia More news from our Asia edition

Deputy State Department spokesman Philip Reeker called Uzbekistan a "key coalition partner" in the U.S. campaign against Afghanistan. Uzbekistan borders Afghanistan, and more than 1,000 U.S. troops are currently based there.

The new aid package, which would cover humanitarian, economic and security assistance, "reflects our intention to maintain a long-term relationship with the government and people of Uzbekistan," Reeker said.

"There have been economic costs for Uzbekistan for its participation so we intend to help them with a significant increase in assistance," Reeker said.