Federation Council speaker Sergei Mironov said on 1 August that Uzbek officials made the correct decision by giving the United States six months to withdraw its troops from the Karshi-Khanabad air base. \"The Uzbek authorities took an absolutely pragmatic and logical step,\" Mironov said before going on to suggest that the antiterrorist operation in neighboring Afghanistan is over and \"it\'s time for the Americans to leave Uzbekistan.\" Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said last week that Russia set out no timetables regarding U.S. bases in Central Asia and that decisions on such issues are made by \"the Central Asian governments alone.\" China and Russia are pressing regional governments to end agreements allowing for a U.S. military presence, \"Argumenty i fakty,\" No. 30, commented adding that China has pledged to compensate Central Asian countries for any related withdrawal of U.S. economic aid. (RFE/RL)