USA does not want Uzbekistan to withdraw from non-viable regional organization

The George Bush administration hopes that the Uzbek government will re-consider its decision to withdraw from the regional GUUAM organization, which also includes Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldavia, the US State Department's press-service has said.

The statement, in particular, says that the US administration continues to believe that GUUAM is a hopeful initiative to improve regional ties and cooperation between the organization's member states.

GUUAM was established several years ago by the then leaders of its member states as a counter-balance to Russia's policy in the region. However, this organization has proved to be ineffective since its inception.