DUSHANBE, November 23, 2013, Asia-Plus – On Friday November 22, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met here with General William M. Fraser III, Commander of U.S. Transport Command (USTRANSCOM).
According to the Tajik president’s official website, the sides discussed state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral political, economic and military cooperation between Tajikistan and the United States.
Issues related to providing regional security and the situation in Afghanistan after 2014 were also discussed during the meeting.
On the transit of NATO’s cargo from Afghanistan through Tajik territory, President Rahmon reportedly noted the Tajik government would provide support for that process in accordance with an agreement signed with NATO.
For his part, General Fraser noted a strategic location of Tajikistan in the region and stressed that the United States will provide assistance to Tajikistan with strengthening border control and improving facilities and equipment of border guards, law enforcement and power-wielding structures as well as customs service in the future as well, the president’s website said.
It was the fourth visit of General Fraser to Tajikistan.
General Fraser made his first visit to Tajikistan in February 2012. In February, General Fraser met with Tajik defense minister and border troops commander. General Fraser formally introduced himself and personally thanked them for Tajikistan’s continued support and cooperation.
Fraser’s second visit to Tajikistan took place in May 2012. In May, General Fraser visited the Nizhniy Panj Border Crossing Point on the Tajikistan border with Afghanistan. At Nizhniy Panj, General Fraser met with Tajik border troops commander and toured the U.S. government-financed Nizhniy Panj Border Crossing Point.
USTRANCOM commander’s third visit to Tajikistan took place in October 2012. He visited Tajikistan on October 22, 2012 as part of his third tour to Central Asia. During his visit, General Fraser met with officials from the Government of Tajikistan and the U.S. Embassy to discuss cross-border security and counternarcotics issues.
The United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) is one of nine unified commands of the United States Department of Defense. The mission of USTRANSCOM is to provide air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense, both in time of peace and time of war.
