TASHKENT, June 18 (RIA Novosti) - The Uzbek Foreign Ministry does not rule out that the riots in Andizhan might be caused by the Uzbek authorities' decision to restrict flights of U.S. planes from Karshi-Khanabad airfield.The Pentagon has used this airbase to support U.S. military operations in Afghanistan since 2001.
Some American media alleged that restrictions on the flights of U.S. planes from Karshi-Khanabad were Uzbekistan's response to the U.S. position on the events in Andizhan.
Such statements do not reflect the real state of affairs and distort cause and effect relations in this situation, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.
"Another conclusion may be drawn from U.S. media statements: the turmoil in Andizhan might be a consequence and not a cause of the Uzbek decision to restrict flights of U.S. aircraft," the ministry said.
The decision to restrict flights was made three months before the events in Andizhan for the reasons, which are known to the U.S. side, the ministry added.
On May 13, insurgents seized a prison and a number of government buildings in Uzbekistan's fourth largest city Andizhan. Troops ousted the insurgents later. According to official data, 170 people were killed.
