Rumsfeld Hints at Bases in Uzbekistan

The United States would consider using Uzbekistan for temporary military bases, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Tuesday during a visit to this Central Asian country, where there is growing pressure to end human rights abuses.

The Pentagon is considering moving bases from Western Europe as part of a global realignment of troops. Rumsfeld said there were no plans to establish permanent bases in Uzbekistan, but he suggested that “expeditionary bases” -- temporary sites for use by U.S. and allied troops -- might someday be situated there.

“We have been discussing with various friends and allies the issue of operating sites ... a place where the United States and coalition countries periodically and intermittently have access and support,” Rumsfeld said, singling out Uzbekistan as a “wonderful” ally in the administration’s war and reconstruction effort in Afghanistan. “What’s important to us is to arrange [it] in a way and in places that are hospitable, where we have the possibility of using these facilities.”

Even as Rumsfeld appeared to show U.S. gratitude, the Uzbek defense minister canceled a joint appearance hours after an appeals court freed the mother of a Muslim dissident following criticism by human rights groups. The case highlighted the often difficult balance the Bush administration faces in fighting terrorism and seeking greater democracy in countries that are far from democratic.

The Uzbek court overturned a six-year prison sentence for Fatima Mukadvrova for possession of banned Muslim pamphlets that police found in her family home. Human rights activists said the arrest was designed to silence the 62-year-old woman after she accused prison authorities of torturing her son to death. She was released with a fine equivalent to about $280.

“We’re certainly glad that the decision was made,” Jon R. Purnell, U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan, said of the court action. At least three inmates of Uzbekistan’s Zhaslyk prison were beaten or tortured to death last year, Associated Press reported recently. Such incidents have spurred scrutiny by U.S. State Department officials of potential human rights abuses.

“Needless to say, the United States and other NATO countries are always interested in seeing reform, not just in the military area, but also in the political and economic area,” Rumsfeld said.

Uzbekistan has emerged as a key nation in counter-terrorism efforts in neighboring Afghanistan and Central Asia. About 1,000 Uzbek troops are at the Karshi Khanabad base, from which U.S. special operations troops and others have launched operations in Afghanistan.

Uzbekistan has long had its own problems with Muslim extremist groups, including Al Qaeda.

Rumsfeld visited Uzbekistan as part of a multination tour to thank U.S. allies.