ANALYSIS: Central Asia became a new arena for USA and Russia rivalry

/Almaty bureau REUTERS, Sebastian Alison, Jan 22, 02/ - Central Asian countries, that have been unknown by recent time, now are in headings of world news and became an arena for USA and Russia diplomatic rivalry. Five former Soviet Union republics of Central Asia, three of which border upon Afghanistan transformed into Mecca for high rank officials and servicemen as of Russia as well as of USA. Commander of military operations in Afghanistan American general Tommy Franks on Monday flew in Tashkent where recently the state secretary of USA Colin Powell, the minister of defense Donald Ramsfeld and several American congressmen were. Americans and their partners on antiterrorist coalition are attracted mainly by the region geography ideally suitable for army and divisions allocation for the support of military operation in Afghanistan. Thousands of military men and aviation of allies are already in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzia, Tajikistan also will offer its territory to military men and Kazakhstan - the uttermost from Afghanistan country of Central Asia - offered to USA not demanded yet help. At the same time having received an access to airbases close to afghan border, USA faced the whole range of problems as of internal as well as of geopolitical type. About half of population in most countries of Central Asia lives below poverty line, economies of these countries are far from the market one, and management methods are often criticized by right protection organizations and democratic institutions. Besides, an appearance of Americans in central Asia causes a trouble of Russia that has strong position in a region, and disturbs China that has borders upon Tajikistan, Kyrgyzia and Kazakhstan. RUSSIA WORRIES Beginning from the war starting in Afghanistan the president of Russia Vladimir Putin gave to Central Asian countries card-blanche for collaboration with United States, however, with a time Moscow position became more cautious. "We didn't want an appearance here for a long time of American or NATO bases...Americans, of course, are eager to it. They can declare their geopolitical interests in any country", said the speaker of State Dumas Gennady Seleznev during the recent visit to Tajikistan. The head of Federal frontier service of Russia Konstantin Totskii was like any military man strict. "I as a military man think that further placement of American or any military part in Central Asia after the end of antiterrorist operation in Afghanistan is not appropriate", said Totskii during his visit to Dushanbe after Seleznev. Moscow position causes almost allergic reaction of former neighbors of USSR. Central Asian countries already receiving from the West a payment for the usage of airdromes hope for significant dividends in nearest future. Therefore, they insist on a right to define by themselves terms of military placement taking into account own interests. "All these issue will be decide based upon interest of each state. Concerning this issue nobody should decide issues connected with that where these airdromes should be placed and for what time they will be offered", said the head of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov after the meeting with colleagues from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgysia in Tashkent on the eve New Year. Karimov underlined that he says on behalf of all four [presidents called disturbance of Russia "eructation of last stereotypes". In their turn, USA is not in a hurry to leave the region. On e of American congressmen that visited last time central Asia, a leader of Senate majority, democrat Tom Dashl told journalists last week in Tashkent that "our presence and interrelations with Uzbekistan nation and region countries are not of short-term". At least 1,500 American military men have been placed in Uzbekistan that has borders with Afghanistan and became a key ally of USA in the region. Terms of Khanabad airbase usage have not been determined yet. Kyrgyzia allowed placement of Americans and their allies in a capital airport Manas during the year; however, it doesn't exclude the possibility of prolongation of agreement. 3,000 military men and about 40 planes have to arrive to the country. HUMAN RIGHTS President so Central Asian countries are glad to new American friends hoping for the immediate and long-term gain. United States in this situation is in a favorable position than Moscow which doesn't have significant financial resources and a desire to spend it in Central Asia. Meanwhile, Washington understands that a prospect to stay in the region will put them before a need to deal with heads, which are accused by the West in human rights breach, insufficient society democratization and an absence of progress in economic reforms field. Senator Dashl mentioned about the human rights problem during the meeting with Islam Karimov last week. "I think everyone will agree that we do not observe such progress as we would want", said Dashl about situation on human rights in Uzbekistan, where a disappearance of current authorities opponents didn't cause USA disturbance. However, Karimov doesn't seem to worry about his image of democrat. On Saturday in Uzbekistan the referendum on a prolongation of last constitutional president term of Karimov which was reappointed in 2000 for five years, up to seven years. No one of high rank guests hasn't mentioned yet about the referendum the result of which is predictable.