The top U.S. military officer accused Russia and China on Thursday of ``trying to bully\'\' smaller Central Asian nations that host U.S. troops and cooperate with Washington in fighting terrorism. Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was asked by a reporter what he thought of a statement last week by a regional alliance, led by China and Russia, calling on the U.S. to set a date for withdrawing forces from bases in the former Soviet republics of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. U.S. forces have used a base in each country since the early days of the war in Afghanistan. Both governments recently have questioned the need for continued U.S. access. Uzbekistan has imposed new limits on U.S. use of its Karshi-Khanabad air base, after the Bush administration spoke critically of Uzbekistan\'s handling of anti-government rioting in May that killed 200 or more people. The statement last week by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was interpreted by some as an attempt by Russia and China to push the U.S. out of a region that Moscow regards as historically part of its sphere of influence and in which Beijing seeks a bigger role because of the region\'s extensive energy resources. “No, I don\'t think the Shanghai memo or communique or whatever came out was particularly useful,” Myers said. “Looks to me like two very large countries were trying to bully some smaller countries. That\'s how I view it.” Myers said the U.S. has much to offer that region. “Security and stability in Central Asia is an important concept, and those who can bring security and stability ought to be welcome in Central Asia,” he said. (AP)