eading cotton specialists said on Thursday that the increase in world prices from record lows registered in December 1999 would continue as consumption rose and China continued to run down stocks.

But plentiful supply from the world's top two exporters -- the United States and Uzbekistan -- would prevent values from racing higher. Terry Townsend, executive director of the International Cotton Advisory Committee, told a cotton conference in the Uzbek capital Tashkent that the 2000/01 season would see a marked price rise on 1999/2000. "We expect the cotton A index will rise by about 10 cents (per lb) and will be between 60 and 65 cents (in 2000/01)," he said, adding that this would still be well below the 30-year average of 74 cents.

Official ICAC figures released at the conference gave a 2000/01 price forecast of 62 cents/lb from 53 cents in 1999/2000. Global production was forecast to fall to 18.74 million tonnes from 1999/2000's 19.12 million, while consumption, driven by world economic growth, was set to rise to 20.02 million tonnes in 2000/01 from 19.78 million tonnes in 1999/2000.

End stocks would fall to 7.73 million tonnes from 9.0 million over the same period, the committee said. Ray Butler, editor of the specialist Cotton Outlook publication, said that the recovery in prices after a long-term slump may have prevented some farmers from switching to other cash crops, limiting the impact on output.

"In 2000/01 we see a total area of 32 million hectares (sown to cotton), up over one million hectares from last year," he said.

"New supplies prompt us to see big crops. However, market conditions seem likely to continue to register improvements."

CHINA AGAIN KEY TO WORLD BALANCE

Both speakers agreed that China's policy of running down stocks was expected to continue into 2000/01. Townsend said that the net change in Chinese stocks in 1999/2000 was a fall of about 1.0 million tonnes from around 4.0 million previously. This fall was likely to be matched during the coming year, halving the stockpile in just two seasons. Further bullish factors were countries like India, Pakistan and Turkey, where consumption was on the rise, forcing imports.

Imports by India in the 2000/01 season were pegged at around 300,000 tonnes and Turkey would probably import 400,000 tonnes, Townsend said. On the supply side, the United States was likely to cap any price rallies with exports of 1.9 million tonnes in the 2000/01 season from 1.4 million tonnes the previous year. This was based on expectations of a near-record crop of 4.2 million tonnes.

Uzbekistan was also expected to maintain high exports, although Minister for Foreign Economic Relations Elyor Ganiyev warned that rising domestic consumption would severely curtail shipments abroad over the next five years. Butler said the rise in oil prices and strong demand for polyester meant that cotton's main synthetic challenger would not be as price competitive as first believed.

zbekistan, the world's second largest cotton exporter, said on Thursday that domestic consumption of its so-called "white gold" would surge over the next five years, severely denting deliveries abroad. Elyor Ganiyev, minister for foreign economic relations, told an international cotton conference in the capital, Tashkent, that processing of cotton within the former Soviet republic was set to rise three- to fourfold.

"Those expecting an increase in the volume of exports from Uzbekistan should be careful," Ganiyev said.

"Over the next five years the level of processing of cotton within Uzbekistan could reach 500,000 tonnes. Currently it is around 120,000 to 150,000 tonnes," he added.

The Central Asian state of 24 million people exports nearly all of its cotton to raise much-needed hard currency to support dwindling reserves and rising foreign debt.

Banking sources at the conference said they doubted that Uzbekistan could boost internal consumption so quickly, given the importance of ready cash to the economy. Building the infrastructure to process more cotton into semi-finished products like yarn would also take time and require greater liberalisation of the economy, they added.

"This statement is in large part a dream," one said.

Were Ganiyev's targets to be met, exports would fall sharply from last year's estimated level of around 900,000 tonnes from output of 1.1 million tonnes of cotton.

Cotton accounts for 25 to 40 percent of Uzbekistan's foreign currency earnings each year, although revenues from the key cash crop have fallen sharply, to $884 million in 1999 from $1.58 billion in 1997, mainly because of smaller crops and weak world prices. Ganiyev said that the government was looking to make the heavily centralised cotton industry, where the state is the sole exporter, more efficient.

He said quality inspections and certifications would become more widespread, transport routes from the landlocked state would be improved and Uzbek trading firms would take a more active role in marketing and exporting the country's most important commodity. Ganiyev added that exports to Russia, which currently account for around 10 percent of deliveries, would rise sharply as the Russian textile industry begins to recover.

ractically all armed grouping from the radical military-political Islamic movement of Uzbekistan, which illegally stayed in Tajikistan, was forwarded to the Afghan province of Kunduz on Thursday.

According to information made available to Itar-Tass from a source in power structures of Tajikistan, the crossing was carried out in compliance with agreements between representatives of Tajikistan and military leader of Uzbek Mujahideen Dzhuma Namangani. The source did not call the exact number of Mujahideen ferried to the Afghan bank of the Panj river, saying that they were some 150-180. It is unknown whether Dzhuma Namangani was among them.

The source informed Itar-Tass that field commander Dzhuma Namangani is an ethnic Uzbek who in 1992-1997 was fighting together with units of the Tajik opposition against the government forces. After the official disbandment of Tajik opposition formations in 1998, Dzhuma's detachment became a "headache" for Tajik authorities.

Last week on instructions from President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmonov a governmental commission was sent to the Pamirs district of the republic, which conducted talks with Dzhuma Namangani. Taking part in negotiations were also leaders of the Tajik united opposition Sayid Abdullo Nuri and Mirzo Zieyev. The first results were positive. However, some observers are so far careful about making final conclusions.

First, they consider that Dzuma Namangani's supporters are still staying in the mountains. Secondly, last summer there were also wide spread reports on the withdrawal of his henchmen to Afghanistan. A month later the detachment of field commander Dzhuma suddenly appeared in Kyrgyzstan from the Tajik mountains.

he Central Bank of Uzbekistan said it lowered its refinancing rate to 2.4 per cent per month from 2.5 per cent as of 1st May. The refinancing rate was reviewed taking into account inflation and demand and supply on the money market, the bank said. Inflation in Uzbekistan was 1.9 per cent in March, down from 2.9 per cent in February. The Central Bank began adjusting the refinancing rate on a monthly basis on 1st April. Until then, the rate had been at 36 per cent annually for 2.5 years.

zbekistan announced an aggressive bid on Thursday to attract multinational companies to explore and extract oil and gas from the landlocked Central Asian state. Deputy Prime Minister Valery Atayev told a news briefing that firms which carried out exploration work would be given major tax concessions, following a decree signed by President Islam Karimov last week aimed at reviving the sector.

"Active work in fulfilling the decree will allow us to attract direct foreign investment in the exploration and production of oil and gas," he said, adding that output would also rise as a result.

Uzbekistan has lagged behind oil-rich neighbour Kazakhstan in attracting overseas funds to develop its energy sector. But Western oil executives familiar with the region said that the bid to lure investment was unlikely to produce a new exploration boom in the Caspian region, because of hard currency restrictions still in force in Uzbekistan and problems with transport.

"This seems to come as much from desperation as anything else," said one, referring to Uzbekistan's worsening liquidity crunch caused by rising debts, dwindling reserves and low foreign exchange earnings from the key cotton crop last year.

Oil and gas from Uzbekistan must also cross at least two other countries to get to the open sea, meaning that significant volumes could not be exported until neighbouring states Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan opened new pipelines of their own. The lack of convertibility of the Uzbek currency, meaning limited access to hard currency for firms operating there, was seen as a further hurdle to the success of the energy sector.

DECREE MAY PROVIDE NEW IMPETUS

Ibrat Zainutdinov, head of the state oil and gas company Uzbekneftegaz, said that $500-600 million would be invested on the government's programme to the year 2005 aimed at exploring and determining hydrocarbon reserves. He expressed hope that talks with Western companies over developing oil and gas in the west of the country, stalled for several years, would receive new impetus from the decree.

"This decree, which has been so long awaited by foreign companies, may encourage them to make their decision whether to go ahead - yes or no," he said.

Zainutdinov added that the government was flexible in its approach to cooperation with foreign firms.

"We are looking at any form of cooperation -- it could be a joint venture or on the basis of a production sharing agreement, or any other form which suits the foreign partner," he said.

A company finding commercial volumes of oil and gas and wanting to go ahead with production would have privileged rights to do so, he added.

And new legislation on oil and gas, partly aimed at setting hydrocarbons development by multinationals in a clearer legal framework, was likely to be passed by parliament this year. Uzbekistan is currently the second largest gas producer in the former Soviet Union, with output of 55.6 billion cubic metres last year, although until recently Turkmen production was higher than this. Uzbek oil production was around 162,000 barrels per day last year.

zbekistan Tuesday [2nd May] backed India in assailing training and sponsoring of terrorists by Pakistan and Afghanistan and asserted that Tashkent could not support policies of certain countries supporting the Taleban. International terrorism has emerged as one of the most dangerous and explosive threats which no one can deny or set aside, visiting Uzbek President Islam Adbuganiyevish Karimov told reporters here.

Karimov, who signed a joint declaration on the principles of relations between the two countries with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, hailed India's battle against international terrorism, saying New Delhi has been opposing terrorism and extremism in all international fora. He said Afghanistan has become a hot bed and training ground of international terrorism. Such activities are absolutely unacceptable to us. We cannot accept the policies of certain countries supporting the Taleban. Karimov termed India as a natural ally of Uzbekistan but parried a question on the issue of declaring Pakistan and Afghanistan as terrorist states.

Besides the joint declaration, India and Uzbekistan signed far-reaching agreements, including those on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and an extradition treaty, the first to be reached by New Delhi with a central Asian country. Vajpayee and Karimov also held talks for half-an-hour on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern and interest.

The agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters was signed by Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and Home Minister L.K. Advani, while the extradition treaty was signed by External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and the visiting foreign minister in the presence of Karimov and Vajpayee. The two nations also endorsed a protocol on cooperation in the field of information and mass media, with Kamilov and Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley signing the document.

Uzbekistan's national information agency and the Press Trust of India (PTI) also signed an agreement on mutual professional assistance. It was initialled by Uzbek Foreign Minister Kamilov and PTI editor V.S. Chandrasekhar.

Earlier, the Uzbek president, who arrived here Monday [1st May] night on a two-day visit, was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of presidential palace by President K R Narayanan and Vajpayee.

ndia Tuesday [2nd May] assured Uzbekistan of its fullest cooperation in the struggle against forces of extremism and expressed keenness to enhance cooperation between the two countries. Cross-border terrorism is being carried out against our country and yours relentlessly, threatening lands even farther away. Waged by vested interests with a narrow agenda, this campaign needs to be countered effectively, India's President K.R. Narayanan said in his banquet speech in honour of visiting Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

We are resolved to protect our shared values from the forces of medievalism and fundamentalist revivalism armed by modern terrorist-technologies, he said. Expressing confidence that the visit will further enrich bilateral relations and provide a new impetus to bilateral cooperation, Narayanan said economic and commercial cooperation must remain high on the agenda, with certain key sectors being identified for intensive collaboration.

India will be happy to cooperate in the railway sector, in defence and space research and application, he said and pointed out that important agreements have been signed during the visit.

zbek President Islam Karimov, who is continuing his official visit to India, and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee signed a declaration here today on the principles of state relations between the two countries.

The document sets the main parameters for the development of Indian-Uzbek cooperation in the political, trade and economic, cultural and other spheres. India and Uzbekistan voiced therein their support for creating a multipolar world and for strengthening peace and security in Central and South Asia, and also stated their determination to continue the fight against all manifestations of terrorism, religious extremism and the illegal circulation of arms and drugs.

The signing of the declaration was preceded by a 30-minute meeting between Karimov and Vajpayee, at which they discussed the situation in the Asian continent and a number of major international problems. According to the available information, the two men voiced mutual concern at the rising tide of terrorism in the world, which threatens the security of the two countries. They spoke in favour of creating a broad international coalition to counter terrorism, extremism and separatism, the source of which has come to lie on the territory of Afghanistan.

Other Indian-Uzbek documents were also signed today, including agreements on mutual legal assistance in criminal cases and on the extradition of criminals, protocols on information and cultural cooperation, and others.

isiting Uzbek President Islam Abduganievich Karimov said Wednesday he was "fully satisfied" with his discussions with Indian leaders, which touched bilateral issues, regional security and "acute" international problems. He told reporters that 10 bilateral agreements, including an extradition treaty and an accord on mutual assistance in criminal matters, were signed between India and Uzbekistan.

However, he said that both nations were "not satisfied" with the 39 million U.S. dollars annual trade turnover, which required to be substantially raised. Both countries could strengthen trade links in several areas like information technology, textile and cotton processing and civil and military aviation, he added.

Meanwhile, he said that Uzbekistan sought an end to arms supply and external "interference" in Afghanistan and that India and Uzbekistan should coordinate efforts to fight the "threats" common to both nations and the security of the Central Asian region. Karimov, who arrived here Monday night on a two day state visit, is scheduled to leave here Wednesday.

he U.S. State Department on Monday added three new groups to its list of what it calls terrorist organisations -- two Protestant groups from Northern Ireland and one Islamist group from central Asia. But the groups were not on the narrower list of ``designated foreign terrorist organisations'' -- a definition that would freeze the groups' assets, make members ineligible for U.S. visas and outlaw financial support to the groups.

The Northern Irish groups are the Orange Volunteers and the Red Hand Defenders, extreme Protestant organisations with about 20 hard-core members each, many with bomb making experience. In its annual report ``Patterns of Global Terrorism,'' the State Department said the Orange Volunteers had carried out bombings, acts of arson, beatings and possibly robberies.

``(It) seeks to prevent a political settlement with Irish nationalists by attacking Catholic civilian interests in Northern Ireland,'' the report said. The Red Hand Defenders, who take their name from the red hand on the flag of the northern Irish province of Ulster, have staged numerous pipe bomb and arson attacks on civilian targets such as houses, churches and private businesses, it said. The group claimed responsibility for the car-bombing murder of Catholic nationalist lawyer and human rights campaigner Rosemary Nelson in March. None of the groups with links to Northern Ireland's conflict were included on the ``designated'' list, a result of what U.S. counter-terrorism chief Michael Sheehan described as a long and intricate process.

This decision goes back to late 1997, when 30 guerrilla groups were designated just a few months after the Irish Republican Army (IRA) called a truce and in the run-up to the Good Friday peace agreement which was struck in April 1998. ``We were asked ... both by the Irish and the British sides, not to designate the IRA or those other groups because the ceasefire was in place and holding,'' Sheehan told a news conference. Sheehan said both pro-Irish, Catholic-backed and pro-British, Protestant-backed splinter groups were or could be under review for designation but declined to say which ones. Splinter groups include the self-styled Real IRA, a group estimated in the report at about 70-strong and made up mainly of former IRA members which blew up a car bomb in the town of Omagh in August 1998, killing 29 people.

NEW CENTRAL ASIAN GROUP LISTED

The central Asian group is the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), described as a coalition of Islamic militants from Uzbekistan and other central Asian states opposed to the secular government of Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

``(Its) goal is the establishment of (an) Islamic state in Uzbekistan. recent propaganda also includes anti-Western and anti-Israeli rhetoric,'' the report said. The IMU is thought to be responsible for five car bombs in Tashkent in February and instigated two hostage crises in Kyrgyzstan late last year, including one which four Japanese and eight Kyrgyzstanis were held for two and a half months.

The IMU probably has thousands of militants and most of them spent the winter of 1999/2000 in Afghanistan, though some may have stayed in Tajikistan, the report said. The group receives support from other extremist groups in central Asia and the leadership broadcasts statements over Iranian radio, it added. Organisations on the list of ``other terrorist groups'' are not subject to any special measures. The State Department includes them in the report for the sake of completeness.

zbekistan asked India on Wednesday [3rd May] to jointly set up banks and insurance companies in the Central Asian republic to provide better credit and insurance facilities to export and import activities between the two countries.

There are no joint banks or branches of Indian banks in Uzbekistan to ensure quicker credit clearances. We also need to establish joint insurance companies to offer insurance to the export-import trade, visiting Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov said addressing a meeting organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here.

We propose to create a joint insurance company with India for Indian businesses coming to our market and we are ready to provide the initial capital necessary for this, Karimov said inviting Indian banks to start operations in his country. On problems faced by Indian industries in transporting goods to Uzbekistan, Karimov said only an international corridor between the two countries could solve the problem.

However, he admitted that unless Pakistan agreed and the situation improves in Afghanistan, it would be difficult to extend the existing railroad connecting Uzbekistan with other Central Asian countries beyond the Afghan border. At present, Indian goods take a circuitous route from Mumbai port via the Middle East to reach Uzbekistan.

We are absolutely unsatisfied with the bilateral trade of about 39m US dollars in 1999, given the potential that exists to expand trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, Karimov said. Agreeing that barter trade in oil and gas, cotton and pharmaceuticals could be explored, the Uzbekistan president said that clearing would be a better option.

We are ready for limited barter but believe that it should be phased out as clearing is a more progressive form of trade, he said. The two countries could also explore trading opportunities in cotton and textiles, given that Uzbekistan was the second largest exporter of cotton but only processed 25 per cent of the produce, while India was one of the largest processors of cotton, he said.

Other possible areas of trade were gems and jewellery, precious metals, agricultural products, computer software and information technology, he said. A memorandum of understanding was also signed by CII and the Uzbekistan ministry of foreign economic relations to expand cooperation in the field of investments and transfer of technologies on the occasion.

zbekistan posted a state budget surplus of 8.4bn soms (36.4m dollars at the current rate) in the first quarter of 2000, the head of the parliamentary Committee on Budget, Banking and Financial Issues, Abdurafik Akhadov, said at a committee meeting today.

State budget revenue in 1999 exceeded the target by 0.3 per cent and spending was 1.3 per cent below target. The share of direct tax in overall revenue dropped from 31.2 per cent to 29.4 per cent, reflecting an easier tax burden on producers. Most revenue from indirect taxes came from excise duties and land tax.

State budget revenue in 2000 is predicted at 650bn soms, or 29.2 per cent of GDP. Spending is set at 712.4bn soms, or 32 per cent of GDP, with a deficit of 2.85 of GDP. The official exchange rate on 3rd May stood at 231 soms to the dollar.

zbekistan on Wednesday [3rd May] sought an end to arms supply and external interference in Afghanistan and said New Delhi and Tashkent should coordinate efforts to fight the threats common to both nations and the security of the Central Asian region. If there was no interference, peace (in Afghanistan) would have come a long time ago, Uzbek President Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov told reporters here.

Charging the Taleban with launching military action three weeks after it had agreed to stop it during a Tashkent conference some time back, Karimov said confrontation prevails in Afghanistan between Taleban and the Northern Alliance .... [ellipsis as received] We are aware of who is backing whom. Arms are being supplied (to warring factions in that country) and there is external interference.

Referring to the Tashkent conference attended among others by representatives of United States, Russia and China, Karimov said the Tashkent declaration (arrived at in this meet) on peace in Afghanistan was approved by the United Nations General Assembly. This upgrading of the level of discussions may lay the foundation for peace in Afghanistan.

I am of a very firm conviction that a broad-based coalition government, having representation from all regions and national ethnic strata, will bring peace in Afghanistan. He said India was a natural partner of Uzbekistan in combating common threats of international terrorism, religious extremism and drug trafficking.

Asserting that Taleban was being supported by some neighbouring countries, the Uzbek president said they claim they should dominate the government, have total command and rein over Afghanistan. Referring to the common approaches of India and Uzbekistan, he said if we do not tackle these threats, then the consequences will be grave.

Asked whether Taleban regime and Pakistan be declared 'terrorist states', he said despite a lot of efforts, Taleban has not been able to garner support or recognition from the international community so far. It is recognized only by two countries. It is not recognized by others. The United Nations has also clamped sanctions against it. This is the principled position of the international community.

Referring to his discussions with Indian leaders, he said he was fully satisfied with the meetings which touched bilateral matters, regional security issues and acute international problems. Karimov said 10 bilateral agreements, including an extradition treaty and an accord on mutual assistance in criminal matters, were signed between India and Uzbekistan.

On the economic sphere, he said both nations were not satisfied with the 39m dollars annual trade turnover which required to be substantially raised. Both countries could strengthen trade links in several areas like information technology, textiles and cotton processing and civil and military aviation.

ndia and Uzbekistan Wednesday [3rd May] decided to cooperate with each other in combating terrorism and narcotic drug trade and Tashkent sought an end to arms supply and external interference in Afghanistan.

New Delhi would also respect the status of nuclear free zones like the one in Central Asia, which was an arrangement arrived at by states of the region, a joint declaration on principles of relations signed by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and visiting Uzbek President Islam Adbuganiyevish Karimov said. Vajpayee, during delegation-level talks with Karimov, pointed to the importance India attached to Central Asia and said its stability and security was of direct concern to New Delhi, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said.

Addressing a press conference here before leaving for Agra on the last leg of his three-day visit to India, Karimov today said India and Uzbekistan should coordinate efforts to fight the threats common to both nations and the security of the Central Asian region. If there was no interference, peace (in Afghanistan) would have come a long time ago, the Uzbek president said.

Charging the Taleban with launching military action three weeks after it had agreed to stop it during a Tashkent conference some time back, Karimov said confrontation prevails in Afghanistan between Taleban and the Northern Alliance... [ellipses as carried] We are aware of who is backing whom. Arms are being supplied (to warring factions in that country) and there is external interference.

ndia and Uzbekistan will sign nine agreements including an extradition treaty during a visit this week by Uzbek President Islam Karimov, a foreign ministry official said on Monday.

Karimov who arrives later on Monday will, along with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, sign a declaration setting out a roadmap for ties between the two countries. The declaration will include plans to cooperate in tackling terrorism that both countries face. "Terrorism, fundamentalism is really the focus of the visit," the foreign ministry official said in a background briefing ahead of Karimov's visit.

India has battled a 10-year-old rebellion in Jammu and Kashmir, its only Moslem majority state and blames arch rival Pakistan for keeping it alive.

Uzbekistan along with other Central Asia states has faced religious extremism and a rapid growth in drug trafficking. Karimov narrowly escaped death when a series of bombs went off in the capital Tashkent in February 1999, an attack which he blamed on extremist Islamic opponents operating from abroad.

"There is a convergence of interests, worries and concerns between the two states," the foreign ministry official said. The other agreements expected to be signed during Karimov's visit are a treaty on assistance in criminal matters, a credit agreement, protocols on cooperation in agriculture, culture, and information.

ndia and Uzbekistan will discuss ways to jointly combat terrorism during a two-day visit by Uzbek President Islam Abduganievich Karimov to India, which formally begins Tuesday, an Indian External Affairs spokesman said here Monday.

The two countries will also sign 10 agreements, including an extradition treaty, a joint declaration on principles of relations and a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, during the Uzbek leader's visit, the spokesman added.

Among the 10 agreements are also one on India's granting of a 10-million-dollar credit to Uzbekistan and another on mutual professional cooperation between Uzbekistan's National Information Agency and the Press Trust of India, he said. Karimov, who is arriving here late Monday night, will hold wide- ranging talks with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern, with a special focus on terrorism and religious fundamentalism, the spokesman noted.

Like India, Uzbekistan is a victim of cross-border terrorism, he asserted. During his stay in the country, Karimov will also meet Indian President K. R. Narayanan, Vice President Krishan Kant and a group of leading figures in India's business community, the spokesman said, adding that the Uzbek president had visited India twice, in 1991 and 1994 respectively.

ndia and Uzbekistan plan to announce new security and anti-terrorism initiatives during Uzbek President Islam Karimov's two-day official visit to New Delhi that began on Monday. Karimov will meet Prime Minister Bihary Vajpayee to discuss security in Central and South Asia, the fight against terrorism and religious extremism, and the situation in Afghanistan. India is expected to reaffirm its support for Uzbekistan's efforts to strengthen peace and stability in Central Asia and call for the expansion of bilateral cooperation in ensuring each other's security, the Foreign Ministry told Itar-Tass.

The ministry attaches great significance to the April 21 summit of the presidents of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan in Tashkent, where they signed an agreement on joint fight against terrorism, political and religious extremism and international crime. New Delhi has also noted Russia's active role in the security dialogue in Central Asia as evidenced by its recent participation in a large-scale anti-terrorist exercise code-named Yuzhny Shchit-2000 (Southern Shield-2000) in the region.

Karimov's visit is connected with the new efforts by Central Asian states to create a broad-based international coalition capable of isolating radical Islamic forces, primarily the Afghan movement Taleban. The threat of terrorism coming from Afghanistan makes Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries to seek closer interaction with Russia, China, the United States and India, the ministry said.

During his meetings and talks in New Delhi, Karimov will discuss prospects for the development of trade and economic relations with India and the implementation of decisions adopted at the 4th session of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1991. Uzbekistan and India have signed 30 interstate, inter- governmental and inter-agency documents, including an agreement on the mutual protection and encouragement of investments.

Economic, industrial and trade cooperation between the two countries gains momentum with every passing year. Twenty-five Uzbek-Indian joint ventures operate in Uzbekistan now. They produce, among other things, medicinal drugs and confectioneries and maintain trade mediation activities. An Indian cultural centre has been functioning in Tashkent for seven years.

The Uzbek-Indian joint commission on trade, scientific and technical cooperation meets on a regular basis. There have been already four sessions. The latest one was held in New Delhi in February 1999 and next one will take place in Tashkent later this year. During the Uzbek president's present visit, the sides are expected to sign a package of documents on cooperation between the two countries.

resident Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan begins his three-day visit to India on Monday. This is his second visit to the friendly country. The first one was made in August 1991. The two countries established diplomatic relations the same year. Uzbekistan and India have signed 30 inter-State, inter-governmental and inter-agency documents, including an Agreeement on the mutual protection and encouragement of investments.

Cooperation in the fields of the economy, industry, and trade gathers momentum with every passing year. Twenty-five Uzbek-Indian joint ventures operate in Uzbekistan now. They produce, in particular, medicinal drugs and confectioneries and maintain trade mediation activities. An Indian cultural centre has been functioning in Tashkent for the seventh year.

The Uzbek-Indian mixed commission for trade, scientific and technical cooperation meets regularly. There have been already four sessions. The latest one was held in New Delhi in February 1999 and next one will take place in Tashkent later this year. During the Uzbek president's present visit, the sides are expected to sign a package of documents on cooperation between the two countries.

three-day visit of Uzbek President Islam Karimov to India will start on May 1. It will be the second visit of the Uzbek leader to that country. The first visit of August 1991 laid down a basis for the Uzbek-Indian cooperation in politics, economics, technology and culture.

Uzbekistan and India have 30 interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents that regulate the bilateral relations in various spheres, Itar-Tass has been told at the Uzbek Foreign Ministry. The countries have formed 25 joint ventures to make medicines and confectionery, to pack tea and coffee, and to trade. The Uzbek-Indian Commission for Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation was formed to boost the bilateral relations. It had the first sitting in July 1993 and resulted in the signing of documents.

The Commission's fourth sitting took place in New Delhi in February 1999. The Uzbek delegation to the sitting also attended a seminar together with members of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The sides signed an agreement on a Business Committee of the Uzbek Chamber of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

zbekistan on Tuesday [2nd May] assailed training and support given to terrorists by Afghanistan and Pakistan and hailed India's battle against international terrorism, which has emerged as an explosive threat to mankind.

India, a natural ally of Uzbekistan, has been opposing terrorism and extremism in all international fora, visiting Uzbekistan President Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov told reporters after he was given a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (presidential palace) here. He said international terrorism has emerged as one of the most dangerous and explosive threats, which no one can deny or set aside.

Karimov, however, skirted a categorical reply on the question of declaring Pakistan and Afghanistan as terrorist states and lashed out at the policy of the Taleban and their supporters elsewhere in providing training to terrorists. Afghanistan has become a hotbed and training ground of international terrorism. Such activities are absolutely unacceptable to us. We cannot accept the policies of certain countries supporting the Taleban, he said.

Besides Indian President K.R. Narayanan, those present at the forecourt included Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and federal External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh.

India and Uzbekistan will discuss ways to jointly combat terrorism during the two-day visit of Karimov, who had toured India in 1991 and 1994. Like India, Uzbekistan is a victim of cross-border terrorism. In 1998, there were bombings in Tashkent and last year there was an incident of hostage-taking.

zbek President Islam Karimov today sharply denounced Afghanistan's support for international terrorists with its territory being used for training groups of extremists for sabotage activities.

"Afghanistan has turned into the main centre for training international terrorists. We absolutely do not accept that. We do not agree with the policy of some countries which support the Taleban movement," Karimov, who is on a visit here, told journalists after the official welcoming ceremony outside the palace of the Indian president by the Indian head of state, Kocheril Rahman Narayanan, and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The Uzbek president said that "international terrorism poses one of the main threats to the international community which cannot be ignored by anyone in the modern world". "India is Uzbekistan's loyal ally in its fight against terrorism. My country's stance enjoys the constant support of India at international forums," Karimov stressed in particular.

ndia and Uzbekistan Tuesday [2nd May] signed far-reaching agreements, including those on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and an extradition treaty, to launch a joint battle against the menace of international terrorism.

Uzbek President Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee signed a joint declaration on the principles of relations between the two countries after half-an-hour bilateral discussions at the historic Hyderabad house.

The agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters was signed by Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov and Home Minister L.K. Advani, while the extradition treaty was signed by External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and the visiting foreign minister in the presence of Karimov and Vajpayee. The two nations also endorsed a protocol on cooperation in the field of information and mass media, with Komilov and Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley signing the document.

Uzbekistan's National Information Agency and the Press Trust of India (PTI) also signed an agreement on mutual professional cooperation. The Uzbek foreign minister and the editor of PTI, V.S. Chandrasekhar, signed the agreement.

The two sides finalized agreements on credit line and mutual assistance between the two customs administrations.

A protocol on cultural cooperation was signed by the visiting culture minister, K. Jorayev, and Indian Tourism and Culture Minister Ananth Kumar.

A memorandum of understanding in the field of agricultural research and education was signed by Deputy Prime Minister M. Usmonov and Agriculture Minister Sunderlal Patwa.

During his two-day official visit, India and Uzbekistan would further discuss ways to jointly combat terrorism.

group of staff of the Tashkent air specialized customs complex has returned from Manchester. It was a reciprocal visit by the Uzbek customs service's staff organized by Tashkent-Manchester twinned airports, set up by European customs within the framework of TACIS.

In November 1999, Tashkent air specialized customs complex staff received their colleagues from the UK. Manchester airport has long been part of the UK customs northwestern district of Her Majesty's Customs and Excises, a Turkiston-press correspondent was told by the head of delegation and the chief of Tashkent air specialized customs complex, Sharifjon Egamberdiyev.

Why did our airports become twinned? Manchester airport is close to Tashkent airport geographically and in the work it does, though it outstrips Tashkent airport in the volume of customs' examinations of passengers and freight. Moreover, we can learn much from the UK customs officers.

Our meetings showed that the Manchester customs' activities are directed mainly towards combating drug trafficking and tobacco and alcohol smuggling which inflict great damage on the state budget.