Uzbekistan Bans Some NATO Use of Territory, Airspace

Radio Free Europe, NATO said today that the Uzbek government has told the alliance it can no longer use Uzbekistan's territory or airspace for operations in neighboring Afghanistan. 
 
The decision comes after U.S. forces vacated a military base in southern Uzbekistan this week at the request of the Uzbek government. 
 
Germany still uses a base near Termez, along the Uzbek-Afghan border, that is expected to be affected by today's decision. 
 
However, NATO spokesman James Appathurai said alternatives would be found and the Afghanistan mission would not be hurt. 
 
Ties between Uzbekistan and the West were strained after Uzbek troops fired on protesters in the Uzbek city of Andijon in May. 
 
The Uzbek government said most of the 187 people killed were militants or police and soldiers. Western rights organizations put the figure far higher, and said many were peaceful demonstrators.