DUSAHNBE, July 19, Asia-Plus - “I recently visited your country and met with President Rahmonov and other government officials.  I conveyed to them -- and wish to convey to you -- the appreciation of the American people for your steadfast support in the Global War on Terror,” an open letter by the U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to the Tajik people says.

In his letter, Mr. Rumsfeld says the United States recognizes the importance of the countries in Central Asia “and looks forward to increasing our cooperation in many areas in the years to come.”  “The effort to build a free and stable Afghanistan to your south will lead to increased trade and economic activity between your two nations.  You can count on the friendship and goodwill of the American people.”

We will recall that U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld arrived in Dushanbe for talks with senior Tajik officials on July 10.  On the same day, Donald Rumsfeld met with President Emomali Rahmonov.  Countering the flow of drugs from Afghanistan , protection of the Tajik-Afghan border as well as issues related to post-war reconstruction of Afghanistan ’s economy figured prominently in Rumsfeld’s discussion with Emomali Rahmonov.