MOSCOW, Dec 16: Russia’s military chief accused the United States on Tuesday of planning to set up military bases in Central Asia, an oil-rich region that Moscow views as its backyard.

“According to our data, (the US) is planning to establish military bases in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan,” Russia’s top military officer, Gen Nikolai Makarov, was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.

Officials in Washington have repeatedly denied such plans.

The Manas air force base in Kyrgyzstan is currently the only US military base in Central Asia.

Following the Sept 11, 2001, terror attacks, Russia welcomed the US military presence in Central Asia, but later grew nervous over the growing number of American troops in the oil-rich region.

In 2005, Uzbekistan shut down a US military base used to support missions in Afghanistan. However, both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have recently sought closer ties with the United States.

Gen Makarov said America’s growing military presence in Europe and Washington’s support for Georgian and Ukrainian bids to join Nato was threatening for Russia.

“The US has encircled all the world’s regions with military bases, including Europe,” he said, speaking at the Academy of Military Sciences.

He also expressed doubt that ties between Russia and the United States would improve under the Obama administration, which takes over from President George Bush next month.

—AFP