05 June 2001

Powell, Uzbek Foreign Minister Sign Threat Reduction Agreement

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov signed a Cooperative Threat Reduction Agreement June 5 at a ceremony in Washington:

U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C.
Secretary Of State Colin L. Powell
Remarks At Signing Ceremony
With His Excellency Abdulaziz Kamilov,
Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of The Republic Of Uzbekistan
Washington, DC
June 5, 2001
[Includes remarks by Jonathan Benton, acting director for Caucasus and Central Asian Affairs]

Mr. Jonathan Benton (Acting Director for Caucasus and Central Asian Affairs): Secretary Powell and Minister Kamilov will now sign the Cooperative Threat Reduction Agreement between the United States of America and the Republic of Uzbekistan. This agreement will enable enhanced defense cooperation and joint work under the Department of Defense Cooperative Threat Reduction Program to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and technology and expertise.

Cooperation will include the dismantlement of Soviet military, chemical and biological weapons facilities left on the territory of Uzbekistan at the time of independence.

Secretary Powell: Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. This is my first treaty as Secretary of State. (Applause.)

Mr. Benton: This concludes the signing ceremony.