Uzbekistan president hails US admiral's visit

Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov hailed on Thursday a visit by US Admiral William Fallon, head of Washington's regional military command, as a milestone in improving ties that virtually broke off in 2005.

Relations soured when the United States condemned the central Asian country, once an ally its War on Terror, after Uzbek troops fired on demonstrators in 2005. Uzbekistan evicted US troops from an airbase in retaliation.

Fallon, head of the US Central Command, said before the visit he would not bring up the airbase issue.

On state television, Karimov called the visit a "very significant event in the relations between the US and Uzbekistan."

"We see it as a good opportunity to discuss, review and exchange opinions on the issues of mutual interest, primarily in the military and technical areas," said Karimov.

Uzbekistan's ties with the West suffered in 2005 when troops fired on protesters in Andizhan. Witnesses said hundreds were killed. The Uzbek government blamed the violence on Islamic rebels and said only security forces and terrorists died at the time.