The USA will hold its possible negotiations on the terms of the US bases stay in Central Asia only on bilateral basis. John Ordway, US ambassador to Kazakhstan, has stated this today, 6 July, at a press conference in Almaty.

Commenting on the statements made by the Uzbekistani president yesterday, 5 July, at the SCO summit in Astana concerning the US bases, J. Ordway has observed that the bases were set there in accordance with bilateral agreements and the USA is going to stick to this principle further.

He has also said that the talks on the terms of stay are still continued. "In the case that the Uzbek authorities want to express their dissatisfaction with the partnership they know how to find us," - he has stressed.

J. Ordway has noted that the USA does not regard Central Asia "as a territory at which a competition the USA and other "external powers" is possible. We have excellent relations with Russia and good ones with China, so we don't see any problems in our good relationship with the Central Asian states."

The US bases will be withdrawn from Afghanistan "as soon as the peacemaking mission is over," - he has assured.