ATTACK on AMERICA

Military

ATTACK
on AMERICA

Potential U.S. partners

The former Soviet republics in Central Asia are emerging as potentially key players in any U.S. military action against Afghanistan. Some of the five - Kazakstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan ("stan" means "home of") - have indicated their support for the U.S. - led anti-terrorism effort. Here's a look at each:

KAZAKSTAN
Has said it would allow U.S. forces to use its airspace and military bases
Population: 16,731,303 (July 2001 estimate)
Religions: Muslim 47 percent, Russian Orthodox 44 percent, Protestant 2 percent, other 7 percent
Gross domestic product per capita: $5,000 (2000 estimate)*

KYRGYZSTAN
Has said it would open its airspace to U.S. flights
Population: 4,753,003 (July 2001 estimate)
Religions: Muslim 75 percent, Russian Orthodox 20 percent, other 5 percent
Gross domestic product per capita: $2,700 (2000 estimate)*

TAJIKISTAN
Leaders have met with U.S. officials to discuss use of airfields
Population: 6,578,681 (July 2001 estimate)
Religions: Sunni Muslim 80 percent, Shiite Muslim 5 percent
Gross domestic product per capita: $1,140 (2000 estimate)*

TURKMENISTAN
Has said it would open its airspace to U.S. flights
Population: 4,603,244 (July 2001 estimate)
Religions: Muslim 89 percent, Eastern Orthodox 9 percent, other 2 percent
Gross domestic product per capita: $4,300 (2000 estimate)*

UZBEKISTAN
Has signaled its willingness to allow the use of its airspace, and possibly its air bases
Population: 25,155,064 (July 2001 estimate)
Religions: Muslim 88 percent (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9 percent, other 3 percent
Gross domestic product per capita: $2,400 (2000 estimate)*

*For comparison, U.S. gross domestic product per capita in 2000 was $36,200
SOURCE: Dallas Morning News research