France "is not reducing its assistance. We don't see a threat to Uzbekistan but Uzbekistan knows better about that," General Andre Var, head of the French army's Euro-Atlantic staff, told reporters during a visit to this Central Asian country, which borders war-torn Afghanistan.

"We're interested in Central Asia's security," Var said.

Military donations by France to ex-Soviet Uzbekistan have so far been worth some 600,000 euros and included uniforms, night-vision equipment and mine detection equipment.

The main military threat to Uzbekistan has been from the militant Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) which pursued a violent campaign to unseat secular governments across much of ex-Soviet Central Asia until being brought to its knees by US-led forces in 2001.

Some IMU leaders remain at large, Var said.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov's government has met increasing criticism from Western countries and institutions which have accused Uzbekistan of using strong-armed tactics including torture and indiscriminate imprisonment.

Karimov has voiced support for US plans to attack Iraq provided it can be proved that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is harbouring weapons of mass destruction.

WAR.WIRE