Uzbek Senate backs US base eviction

The Uzbekistan Senate gave approval to an order evicting the US military from the country with many lawmakers demanding compensation for alleged environmental damage caused by the US military.

Lawmakers say the base is no longer in Uzbekistan's interests

The eviction order was approved after two hours of debate and the decision was announced by Sarrukhka Mukhuddinova, deputy Senate speaker. Senate approval marked the final step needed to make the eviction notice law.

“The presence of the US airbase has become against our interests,” said Muriddin Zayniddinov, a senator representing the constituency where Karshi Khanabad, site of the US airbase, is located.

“A man with two faces cannot be a friend of Uzbekistan,” Zayniddinov said in a speech before the assembly.

Another senator said the government of Uzbekistan had spent $168 million in building infrastructure to support the US base but had received no financial compensation for the expenditures from the United States.

“We have the right to demand not only the eviction of the US military from Uzbekistan but to demand compensation for environmental, economic and health damage” caused by the American military presence in the country, he said.

Source: AFP