US hints realignment in central Asia in its war on terrorism

In the US war on terrorism, a fresh alignment with five Muslim former Soviet republics, either bordering Afghanistan or in its proximity, is in the offing. As per a reorganisational plan of the US State Department, five republics will be grouped with South Asia. These former Soviet republics include Uzbekistan, Kirgizstan, Kazakhastan, and Tajikistan. These countries came into existence way back in 1991 following the break up of the erstwhile Soviet Union. Just before her tour to some of these countries, the US Secretary of State Ms. Condoleeza Rice rebuked Uzbekistan for spurning appeals from abroad for restoration of human rights. During the reign of the Soviet Union, Population ratio in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, a predominantly Muslim country had undergone a metamorphosis following a heavy influx of Russians.