Germany is upset by the news that it may be compelled to bid adieu to the AF base on the territory of Uzbekistan (near Termez). Following the tragic events in Andizhan last May, official Tashkent told the US to close its military base in Uzbekistan. These days, Germany is the only Western country with an AF base on the territory of Uzbekistan.

Der Spiegel reports that the Uzbek Foreign Ministry "all of a sudden" announced that the base lease accord might be annulled because "along with its own servicemen, Germany airlifted over 400 men from the United States, Hungary, and Denmark via Termez, this year".

The threats to close the base for good preceded the demands that Germany build a hotel, hospital, and a recreation center in Termez. All of that will cost German taxpayers 20 million euros. Germany has already invested 12 million euros in modernization of the base. It pays Tashkent 240,000 euros for its 300 servicemen in Termez every month and 600 euro for every use of the ladder.

A German delegation will set out for Uzbekistan one of these days - with much more reasonable suggestions.