The US special envoy announced his intentions to increase the potential in Kazakhstan in connection with the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan
The United States announced that it was going to consider "strengthening its potential in the countries of Central Asia" in connection with the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan. Earlier, the Pentagon heard statements that part of the American contingent from Afghanistan could be withdrawn to the Central Asian republics, for example, to Uzbekistan. Tashkent made it clear that the US military was not expected in the country.
Now the United States began to talk about its readiness to "increase the potential in Kazakhstan." This statement was made by US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad, special envoy for Afghanistan (the official title of the position is US special envoy for Afghan reconciliation).
Khalilzad made it clear that the United States views Kazakhstan as a country in which, after the withdrawal from Afghanistan, one or another part of the American military contingent could be deployed. This is what, according to the American diplomat, would allow "to increase the potential in terms of security."
Mr. Khalilzad made his statement after a question about whether negotiations are underway with the authorities of the Central Asian republics on the possibility of deploying an American contingent on their territory.
The American diplomat said that negotiations "with individual representatives" are under way.
Zalmay Khalilzad, while in Kazakhstan:
According to Khalilzad, he "would like" to meet with the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Officially, Kazakhstan did not comment on the statements of the American diplomat.
Earlier, Khalilzad met with representatives of the Uzbek authorities.
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