Uzbekistan\'s Defense Ministry, State Customs Committee, and Border Troops received $516,600 in equipment from the United States in a 30 April ceremony. The aid comes from the U.S. State Department under the aegis of the Export Control and Related Border Security program and the Aviation/Interdiction Project. The online newspaper quoted U.S. Ambassador Jon Purnell as saying, \"Cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States is multifaceted, and the military aspect is especially significant. We provide assistance to our Uzbek partners to combat terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal weapons trading.\" Uzbek Deputy Defense Minister Rustam Niyazov noted that the \"high level of military cooperation between our countries maintains stability and security in the region.\" Another shipment of $600,000 worth of equipment is also scheduled for 2004; and in 2005, Uzbekistan will receive two helicopter trainers worth a combined $6.5 million and two patrol boats totaling $5.8 million. (tribune.uz)