Evan A. Feigenbaum of the US Department of State called a press conference to sum up his trip to Uzbekistan
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The US official said he had come to try and normalize the relations between the government of Uzbekistan and the United States.
"The Uzbek authorities signaled their interest in restoration of relations with the United States not long ago. We in turn have always stood for close cooperation," Feigenbaum said. "That is why I do not think my visit could have been timed any better."
The official said that the United States wanted restoration of the relations with Uzbekistan in the spheres they had cooperated in prior to suspension of contacts - first and foremost, in the spheres of education and trade. Development of cooperation, however, requires removal of the existing barriers.
"There may be some differences on some nuances but the United States does not want these differences to interfere with cooperation between our countries," Feigenbaum said. "My visit here is an attempt to decide exactly what cooperation may be established in the nearest future."
The US official recalled the Strategic Partnership Agreement the two countries signed in 2002.
Speaking of the latest talks, Feigenbaum announced that he had met with Foreign Minister Norov, Defense Minister Mirzayev, Deputy Premier Aripov, presidential security advisor, state advisor for religious matters, ombudsman, and other senior officials. Development of the Uzbek-American relations was invariably discussed.
"This signal from the Uzbek authorities concerning their willingness to restore relations," a journalist asked. "Could you please say at what level was this signal received?"
According to Feigenbaum, absolutely all officials of the Uzbek state from ministers of the Cabinet to deputy premiers he met with expressed interest in revival of the bilateral relations and cooperation. He liked this willingness of course, but admitted existence of difficulties in transformation of declarations into actual deeds.
"I have certain specific proposals and offers in this sphere, my hosts had their own ideas," the US diplomat said with a marked lack of enthusiasm.
The next question concerned financial equivalent of the Uzbek-American cooperation and difficulties American businesses were encountering in Uzbekistan (the Uzbek government had had very many of them closed down).
"I cannot give you any exact figures," Feigenbaum admitted. "So far as I remember, however, sum total of American investments in Uzbekistan has been above $500 million for several years. It is not that much in comparison with some other countries of the region. Moreover, American investments in this particular region have been on a decline while in other regions of the world that have been showing a rise. It worries me of course because I'm convinced that the Uzbek-American business relations have a vast potential. Some US businesses encountered serious problems here. They regularly encounter barriers and difficulties. I mean barriers in the spheres of import, licensing and taxation, legal issues. All these barriers must be dismantled or the potential will never be tapped. For example, the American-Chinese trade relations are evaluated at almost $200 billion nowadays. We are not talking state investments, mind you, only private ones. Private enterprise is the basis of US economy. We would like the barriers interfering with our entry removed because we see a colossal business potential here. That's what we discussed with Mr. Aripov.
Asked the traditional question concerning the return of the US military base to Uzbekistan, Feigenbaum firmly said he had not come to Tashkent to discuss military bases.
Actual success of Feigenbaum's mission may be gauged from his answer to a question from the Chinese if Uzbek leaders intended to visit the United States or US leaders Uzbekistan.
"I do not see it happening for the time being," the US diplomat said. "I'd like to emphasize that both sides expressed their willingness to cooperate. The problem is to have deeds instead of declarations. That's the problem that must be solved."