I could be wrong.....but I think Rumsfeld just confirmed our support for democratic regimes over undemocratic ones

I think the emphasis of this story in the WaPost is important today. No visit to Uzbekistan, comment that we can do without their help.

"Rumsfeld described relations with Uzbekistan as "good" but said the U.S. military could do "fine" without the base. He said he had no plans to visit Uzbekistan and repeatedly declined to answer questions about the relationship, referring them to the State Department."

In contrast, warm words for Kyrgyzstan and understanding words for Tajikistan

"In an earlier meeting, Rumsfeld congratulated Kyrgyzstan's president-elect, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, on his landslide victory in a July 10 election -- the first vote in a former Soviet republic that has won "passing grades" for fairness from international observers, Rumsfeld said. "Both you and your country had a victory in that election," he told Bakiyev, who has led the nation of 5 million people since widespread protests forced the former president to flee in March."

"The deployment of American forces in the Kyrgyz Republic fully depends on the situation in Afghanistan," Ismail Isakov, Kyrgyzstan's defense minister, said during a news conference with Rumsfeld at the presidential palace in Bishkek. "The air base in Manas will stay as long as the situation in Afghanistan requires."
Isakov implied that U.S. forces would leave after security conditions in Afghanistan improve. "Once there is stabilization, there will be no need" for U.S. troops, he said. "But now I agree with Mr. Secretary, who mentioned that the situation in Afghanistan is far from stable."


"Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov confirmed Tajikistan's position at a joint appearance with Rumsfeld before reporters on the lawn of the presidential dacha. "We intend to continue our active cooperation with the United States and other anti-terrorist coalition in terms of the anti-terrorist struggle," Nazarov said through an interpreter.
He specifically mentioned Tajikistan's continued willingness to grant the United States overflight rights and access to ground facilities. The U.S. military stations no troops in Tajikistan, but it has emergency landing rights and a "gas and go" agreement that permits U.S. planes to refuel at Tajik airfields on their way to Afghanistan.
Rumsfeld and Tajik leaders also discussed bolstering U.S. military and government aid to help Tajikistan secure its rugged frontiers. The U.S. offer comes after Russian forces that guarded Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan completed a withdrawal this month. They had been stationed here since the end of a bloody civil war in 1997."