DUSHANBE, January 22, Asia-Plus — President Emomali Rahmon today received visiting head of the US Central Command, Admiral William Fallon. In the course of the talks the two discuss issues related to regional security bilateral military cooperation between Tajikistan and the United States.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with President Rahmon, Fallon said that he had expressed gratitude to the Tajik head of state for Tajikistan’s support for the US efforts in Afghanistan.
According to him, he also thanked President Rahmon for giving Afghan cadets an opportunity to study at the Military Institute in Dushanbe. Training of Afghan cadets will start already this month.
The US Central Command head also told journalists that from Tajikistan he will go to Islamabad, then Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
Asked about the purpose of his tour of the region, Admiral Fallon said that he should be aware of the situation in the region.
We will recall that before that Admiral Fallon visited Tajikistan in November 2007. That time, on his one-day visit Fallon met with President Rahmon and Defense Minister Sherali Khayrulloyev. The US Central Command chief reaffirmed that the United States is ready to provide assistance of every kind to Tajikistan, including helping to train Tajik Army’s peacekeeping force.
