U.S. to Open 4 Embassies in Central Asia
The United States will immediately establish formal diplomatic relations with the Central Asian states of Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the White House said Wednesday.
It said President Bush decided on the move after meeting with Secretary of State James A. Baker III, who is just back from a visit to the four former Soviet republics.
“The United States will open embassies in these countries by March 15. In addition, the U.S. will support their membership in relevant international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund and World Bank,” a statement said.
The announcement means that Washington now has, or soon will have, diplomatic ties with 11 of the 12 republics that once formed the Soviet Union. The sole exception is Georgia. The reason for U.S. hesitancy is the uncertain political situation in that former Soviet republic.
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