Comments on: Out of Uzbekistan http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/ Open discussion about current issues in Uzbekistan Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:40:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: uzbekistan.neweurasia.net » Blog Archive » Uzbekistan’s European Friend http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/#comment-347 uzbekistan.neweurasia.net » Blog Archive » Uzbekistan’s European Friend Tue, 28 Mar 2006 12:32:51 +0000 http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/#comment-347 [...] As this blog has covered the German-Uzbek relations before (here, here, here and here), I thought it was only right to add my two cents to her points. All in all, there is a lot to agree with in her article, but as Bukharbayeva is no expert in German internal politics, she might overestimate certain points. [...] […] As this blog has covered the German-Uzbek relations before (here, here, here and here), I thought it was only right to add my two cents to her points. All in all, there is a lot to agree with in her article, but as Bukharbayeva is no expert in German internal politics, she might overestimate certain points. […]

]]> By: Ben http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/#comment-48 Ben Sat, 26 Nov 2005 16:38:04 +0000 http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/#comment-48 <blockquote>But the German FM has never been very in tune with Uzbek realities.</blockquote> We'll see whether this will change with the new minister. It's quite interesting to see that the deplorable state of German military equipment will leave the Bundeswehr in need of a third-country airbase, preferably in Central Asia. It's really about time to get the new Airbus as yan says. It's a plane that is able to cross the Hindu Kush and will have some self-defense mechanisms onboard. So why even bother having a base in Central Asia... Kidding aside - I reckon the Uzbeks would really like to have the Germans remain at Termez. It's a pity I have lost the contact details of a chap I met in Tashkent who was working for the German embassy. He'd probably have some interesting bits to add here.

But the German FM has never been very in tune with Uzbek realities.

We’ll see whether this will change with the new minister.

It’s quite interesting to see that the deplorable state of German military equipment will leave the Bundeswehr in need of a third-country airbase, preferably in Central Asia.

It’s really about time to get the new Airbus as yan says. It’s a plane that is able to cross the Hindu Kush and will have some self-defense mechanisms onboard. So why even bother having a base in Central Asia…

Kidding aside - I reckon the Uzbeks would really like to have the Germans remain at Termez. It’s a pity I have lost the contact details of a chap I met in Tashkent who was working for the German embassy. He’d probably have some interesting bits to add here.

]]> By: David http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/#comment-47 David Sat, 26 Nov 2005 16:23:39 +0000 http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/#comment-47 Given that most smart people seem to have been kicked out of the Uzbek FM, its not inconceivable that they got a bit confused about who's in NATO/EU. NATO has imposed no actual sanctions as far as I can see - Uzbekistan is still a partnership for peace member, although presumably it won't get much training this year. As for the Germans, you might think niavely that anybody with a base in a country as unstable as Uzbekistan would have developed a plan B. But the German FM has never been very in tune with Uzbek realities. I would have thought Tajikistan would be happy to help in exchange for a few Euros Given that most smart people seem to have been kicked out of the Uzbek FM, its not inconceivable that they got a bit confused about who’s in NATO/EU. NATO has imposed no actual sanctions as far as I can see - Uzbekistan is still a partnership for peace member, although presumably it won’t get much training this year. As for the Germans, you might think niavely that anybody with a base in a country as unstable as Uzbekistan would have developed a plan B. But the German FM has never been very in tune with Uzbek realities. I would have thought Tajikistan would be happy to help in exchange for a few Euros

]]> By: Ben http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/#comment-46 Ben Sat, 26 Nov 2005 11:27:36 +0000 http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/#comment-46 Thanks for your comments. I guess Nathan is right - all the EU members that are banned from Uzbek airspace happen to be NATO members as well. There is still a great sense of uncertainty in German politics. It is quite a difficult situation for Germany's new government. I wonder what other EU and NATO allies seem to suggest. 'Should we stay or should we go' - difficult question, not only with regards to the ISAF mission. The Germans could be the last EU country with a working relation to Uzbekistan. The German opposition is confused: http://www.fdp-fraktion.de/webcom/show_websiteprog.php/_c-649/_lkm-84/i.html?wc_id=5533&bis= Thanks for your comments. I guess Nathan is right - all the EU members that are banned from Uzbek airspace happen to be NATO members as well.

There is still a great sense of uncertainty in German politics. It is quite a difficult situation for Germany’s new government. I wonder what other EU and NATO allies seem to suggest. ‘Should we stay or should we go’ - difficult question, not only with regards to the ISAF mission. The Germans could be the last EU country with a working relation to Uzbekistan.

The German opposition is confused:
http://www.fdp-fraktion.de/webcom/show_websiteprog.php/_c-649/_lkm-84/i.html?wc_id=5533&bis=

]]> By: Nathan Hamm http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/#comment-45 Nathan Hamm Sat, 26 Nov 2005 01:36:12 +0000 http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/#comment-45 I think that the NATO thing is causing confusion and only came up because of a press fudge. Some of the stories I've read recently suggest that Uzbekistan served notice to particular EU members because of their EU membership, not their NATO membership. I think that the NATO thing is causing confusion and only came up because of a press fudge. Some of the stories I’ve read recently suggest that Uzbekistan served notice to particular EU members because of their EU membership, not their NATO membership.

]]> By: yan http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/#comment-44 yan Fri, 25 Nov 2005 09:35:04 +0000 http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2005/11/25/out-of-uzbekistan/#comment-44 ISAF is originally an UN mission, maybe that's the key here? According to <a href="http://www.faz.net/s/Rub28FC768942F34C5B8297CC6E16FFC8B4/Doc~E5EA61E162A9F4865872A8BBBEC749A93~ATpl~Ecommon~Scontent.html" rel="nofollow">the FAZ</a>, the problem is not as much flying over Afghanistan with Transalls as having a base for the Medevac Airbus. Long distances to Afghanistan or high mountains on the way seem to be mayor obstacles as well. Anyway, it's about time to get the Airbus A400M. No idea why the categorize Sweden as NATO member either. ISAF is originally an UN mission, maybe that’s the key here?

According to the FAZ, the problem is not as much flying over Afghanistan with Transalls as having a base for the Medevac Airbus. Long distances to Afghanistan or high mountains on the way seem to be mayor obstacles as well. Anyway, it’s about time to get the Airbus A400M.

No idea why the categorize Sweden as NATO member either.

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