| September 23-September 30, 2000 | |||
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| First Uzbek athlete reaches Olympic finals: boxing | |||
 ukhammadkodir Abdullaev from Uzbekistan (Men's Boxing, Lt Welterwt 63.5kg)
became the first Uzbek athlete to reach the finals of the Olympic Games
in Sydney. His seminals fight against Algerian ALLALOU Mohamed was stopped in the seventh second of the second round.
In the finals Abdullaev will face Ricardo Williams Jr. from the United States who beat Cuban Diogenes Luna
in a difficult fight by 42-4. Two other boxers failed to advance into the finals.
Men's Boxing Sup Heavywt +91kg Semifinals
Men's Boxing Lt Heavywt 81kg Semifinals Other Olympic results for Uzbek athletes as of September 29. Women's Athletics 4x400m Relay Round 1 Heat 3
1. NGR, 3:22.99
Men's Wrestling Freestyle 85kg Pool Elimination Match 143
Men's Wrestling Freestyle 58kg Pool Elimination Match 129
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| More Olympic results from Sydney | |||
 eptember 29 resultsWomen's Athletics 4x100m Relay Round 1 Heat 4
1. USA, 42.92 Men's Athletics 4 x 100m Relay Round 1 Heat 4
1. CUB, 38.74 Men's Canoe/Kayak Sprint K1 500m Semifinals Race 3
1. LIWOWSKI Lutz, GER, 1:40.586
Men's Wrestling Freestyle 130kg Pool Elimination Match 115 Men's Wrestling Freestyle 85kg Pool Elimination Match 107 KHADARTSEV Makharbek of Uzbekistan lost to Korean YANG Hyun Mo by 2-3
Men's Wrestling Freestyle 76kg Quarterfinals Match 183
Men's Wrestling Freestyle 58kg Pool Elimination Match 93 | |||
| Russia takes Afghan security concerns to Pakistan | |||
 nterior ministers of Russia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan will meet soon to weigh security fears caused by instability in Afghanistan, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
Sergei Yastrzhembsky said the meeting was arranged during a visit this week to Islamabad. He did not specify when it might take place. Yastrzhembsky, quoted by his spokesman, said Russia and ex-Soviet Central Asian states were concerned that Afghanistan had increasingly become a source of drug trafficking and a training base for radical Islamist fighters. But he said he did not discuss recent military advances by Afghanistan's Taleban forces which took them up to the border of Tajikistan and sent a wave of fear rippling through the region. Russia has accused the Taleban of training Chechen rebels and supplying them with weapons and cash. It says similar assistance is being offered by the Taleban to Islamic guerrillas battling government forces in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, another ex-Soviet state. The Taleban has rejected such accusations. Yastrzhembsky said he had presented to Pakistani leaders, who have a strong influence on the Taleban, a list of five camps in Afghanistan -- one near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif and four along the border with Pakistan. "The Pakistani leadership has treated the information with the utmost seriousness and said it will check it and undertake appropriate action if need be," the spokesman quoted Yastrzhembsky as saying. (Reuters, September 28) | |||
| Uzbek customs officers seize 700 kg of drugs in south | |||
 hree men have been sentenced by the Surkhandarya Regional court, in the
Uzbek south, for an attempt to smuggle 700 kg of drugs, the `Khalq Sozi'
newspaper reported on 26th September. A man offered two drivers 3,000 dollars for delivering eight tonnes of lemons, with 700 kg of drugs hidden inside boxes with the lemons, from the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, to the Russian town of Krasnoyarsk. The drugs were found by Uzbek customs officers as a result of an inspection at the Saryassiya customs checkpoint in Surkhandarya Region, the paper said. "The Surkhandarya Regional court had an open sitting to consider the case of the criminal group which had attempted to smuggle drugs and all the members of the group were punished in accordance with the law," the report said without specifying what sentences were passed on the three men. It also did not say what kind of drugs the three were attempting to smuggle. | |||
| Chinese Communist Party delegation meets Uzbek parliamentary factions | |||
 delegation from the International Liaison Department of the
Chinese Communist Party met members of factions of political parties in the
Uzbek parliament. During the meeting with members of the faction of the People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, the topic of conversation was the work the factions were doing towards drawing up the most important draft laws. In a meeting with the leadership of Fidokorlar [Self-Sacrificers] National Democratic Party and members of its faction in the parliament, the guests received detailed information about the Fidokorlar Party's role in our country's social and political life and its participation in drawing up draft laws. The Chinese guests were also briefed on the work of the Milliy Tiklanish [National Revival] Party of Uzbekistan, which includes the republic's intelligentsia. They were informed about the party's work in restoring the country's ancient history and culture and the reforms under way in the country aimed at constructing a strong democratic and civic society. During the meeting with leaders of Adolat [Justice] Social Democratic Party the guests were informed about the history of the party and its present work. At the meetings opinions were voiced advocating expanding international relations. (Uzbek TV, September 28) | |||
| Japan gives 46m yen grant to Uzbek applied arts | |||
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note was signed between the governments of Uzbekistan and
Japan on the allocation of a grant for the needs of the cultural sphere at
the Uzbek Cabinet of Ministers. Under a resolution by the government of Japan, the government of Japan is to deliver equipment worth 46m yen for the State Applied Arts Museum to revive Uzbekistan's rich cultural heritage and traditions. It was noted at the ceremony of exchanging notes that the effective use of the funds granted by the Japanese government and the developing bilateral relations between the two states will help to further strengthen the friendship between our nations and countries. Earlier the Japanese government gave Uzbekistan 204 million yen to purchase vaccine for children. (Uzbek TV, September 28) | |||
| Man behind terrorist act near Yangiabad sentenced to death | |||
 olvannazir Khodzhayev, an accomplice of the
extremists who committed a terrorist act in Tashkent Region, has been
sentenced to death in Uzbekistan, a representative of the Uzbek Supreme
Court's press service told Interfax on Thursday [28th September].
A 14-member gang committed a terrorist act near Yangiabad, Tashkent Region on 15th November 1999. The act claimed 11 lives. The authorities formed a centre to deal with the extremists and they were consequentially wiped out. The investigation uncovered a number of accomplices led by Khodzhayev. The Khodzhayev group is responsible for several assaults and murders in Tashkent Region. Some of the group members were trained in terrorist camps abroad. (Russian news agency Interfax, September 28) | |||
| Kyrgyz, Uzbek leaders news conference | |||
 n 27th September Kyrgyz radio broadcast a special 40-minute programme on a
news conference given the same day by the Kyrgyz and Uzbek presidents on
the results of the latter's visit to Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz President Akayev
told the news conference that the talks resulted in signing a joint
declaration and a military cooperation agreement. He said he and Karimov
had discussed a wide range of issues and their views coincided almost on
all of them. Akayev said they also discussed the delimitation of the border between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Akayev was upbeat about the Kyrgyz-Uzbek joint actions in the south of Kyrgyzstan and said that the newly signed military cooperation agreement was extremely important for Kyrgyzstan. Uzbek President Karimov said that the military and technical cooperation between the countries was a new page in relations between them, which meant that Kyrgyzstan "would not be left alone with the aggressive forces which are attempting to disrupt peace in Kyrgyzstan, its sovereignty and territorial integrity". Karimov also said that the CIS countries should give priority to bilateral relations, which are more efficient, constructive and easier to monitor. The following are excerpts from the report: [Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev] Dear ladies and gentlemen, respected journalists, yesterday and today there were talks which were of an open, constructive and benevolent nature. The president of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov, and I discussed a wide range of issues of both a bilateral, international and regional character, which were of interest to the two countries. The unity of views and positions has been achieved virtually on all the issues. The issues considered during the talks have fully found their reflection in the final document which we signed today, the joint declaration, where we confirmed fundamentally our aspiration for deepening further mutually advantageous cooperation in line with the agreement of 24th December 1996 on eternal friendship between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Uzbekistan. In the light of the August events associated with the intrusion [into the territory of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan] by bandit formations of international terrorists and extremists, a key issues at the talks was the problem of ensuring regional security, the coordination of efforts for strengthening the southern borders of Central Asia and maintaining stability in the region through joint efforts. Specific measures and joint actions have been reflected in a military and military technical cooperation treaty. I am convinced that this document will give the people of Kyrgyzstan optimism and I believe that we, together with Uzbekistan, can ensure stability and security in our region and a peaceful life for the peoples of the two countries. Another important issue at the talks was the delimitation of the state borders between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Delimitation of the state borders between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will be conducted in the spirit of mutual understanding, on the basis of the principles of international law and world practice. President Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov and I are at one in believing that the border between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Uzbekistan has been and will be a border of peace, friendship and of goodneighbourliness which unites the fraternal peoples of the two states. [President Islam Karimov] I am satisfied with the results of the visit, with the results of the talks with Askar Akayevich [Akayev] and other members of the delegation. I am satisfied with the trustfulness and high constructiveness of our talks. The documents signed today are further evidence that the relations between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are reaching a new level. Our bilateral relations are reaching a qualitative level of constructiveness, and comprehensive cooperation with regard to such an important issue as increasing the defence efficiency of the two countries' armed forces so that we are capable of repulsing any attempts at creeping expansion and aggression, attempts on the territorial integrity of both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, any attempts such as we saw last year and this year which were aimed at disrupting the peace and stability of our people. The document which we signed today - we call it military and military-technical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan - is a new page in our relations. It is a new guarantee that Kyrgyzstan will not be left alone with the aggressive forces which are attempting to disrupt peace in Kyrgyzstan, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. And I also hope that Uzbekistan in turn may also receive the help which Kyrgyzstan can give. Taking this occasion, I would like to stress before journalists that apparently it was necessary to review relations within the CIS from the angle of the need for giving priority to bilateral relations against multilateral ones. I have said this before and would like to repeat today that bilateral relations are currently more efficient, constructive and easier to monitor. [Akayev] Islam Abduganiyevich has given detailed information about how the document [newly signed Uzbek-Kyrgyz military cooperation treaty] works, what its main aims are. I would like only to say that the document has come to light from real life, from our successful actions, joint efforts to fight terrorism and extremism in the Fergana Valley [southern Kyrgyzstan] this year. Since then, Islam Abduganiyevich has given detailed information about this, we have been exchanging reconnaissance data and information, [we conducted] operations planned by our Defence Ministry secret services and other law-enforcement structures. These measures were very effective. They were tested out. The treaty will serve as a legal basis for such instances in the future. We have given a good legal basis for those experiences and actions which were tested out this summer. I can say, for example, that following Islam Abduganiyevich call, I summoned the Defence Council in August. In our telephone conversation, we also had information that, and Islam Abduganiyevich confirmed that the bandit formations were going to cross the Kyrgyz border. We got prepared and the following day. Or take another example, the latest successful operation in [the Kyrgyz southern District of] Chatkal, where special services of the two countries were very well coordinated and literally followed in the bandits' footsteps and wiped out the whole group. I think that we should take such preventive measures in the future, too, and widely practice this form of cooperation. This will enable us to achieve good stability and results and most importantly to cut short the terrorists's intention to test our countries once more. Thank you. [Uzbek TV correspondent] My question is to Akayev. Has Kyrgyzstan concluded a military cooperation treaty with another country? [Akayev] Only with two countries, with the Russian Federation and now with Uzbekistan. I think that this treaty is very important for Kyrgyzstan, because, above all, we are waging a war with new threats on a regional level. I think that it is an extremely important treaty, which will currently be a firm guarantee of peace, stability and security both in Kyrgyzstan and in the region as a whole. [Russian Interfax correspondent] Would you tell us what first steps should be taken in principle for strengthening regional security and in this respect, what should Russia's stance be because Russian border guards are deployed at the Tajik borders? [Karimov] The issue of regional security is a matter of concern for all the countries, peoples and ethnic groups living in the region. If we fail to ensure regional security ourselves, if we fail to ensure the security of our children, women and our population as a whole, then nobody, I am sure, will come from abroad to offer us his assistance. | |||
| Olympic results as of September 28 | |||
|
eptember 28 results
Men's Wrestling Freestyle 76kg Pool Elimination Match
Men's Wrestling Freestyle 63kg Pool Elimination Match
Men's Wrestling Freestyle 54kg Pool Elimination Match Men's Canoe/Kayak Sprint K1 1000m Semifinals Race 3
1. MERKOV Petar, BUL, 3:38.217 | |||
| US increases military aid to Uzbekistan | |||
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he United States has said it will increase military aid to Uzbekistan.
General Tommy Franks, who's on a visit to Uzbekistan, said the United States was concerned that the fighting in Afghanistan could destablise the whole of Central Asia. General Franks said the aim of the US was to ensure security, peace and development in the region. Central Asian leaders have said they're worried about the fighting in Afghanistan. The conflict between the Taliban and opposition forces has moved close to the border with Tajikistan. (BBC, September 27) | |||
| Uzbek president warns of "creeping expansion" from Afghanistan | |||
 xcerpt from report by Russian NTV International television on 27th
September[Presenter] President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov today expressed his attitude to the war in Afghanistan that is threatening to spill over onto the territory of the CIS. Anton Khrekov continues: [Correspondent] Only yesterday the countries bordering Afghanistan froze as they watched the Taleban's tanks hit targets right next to the Tajik border. Today the politicians are discussing the effect produced by these salvos. In this sense, the Taleban have won: they have drawn attention to themselves. They are being talked about in Moscow, Pakistan, the UN and in Bishkek. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, who is continuing an official visit to Kyrgyzstan, once again demonstrated today that he is adept at not taking sides. Yesterday he took the press to task for inducing a state of psychosis. Today there was a definite change in the rhetoric. The Taleban's seizure of Northern Afghanistan does not in any way mean peace for that area: I'm quoting Islam Karimov. [Karimov] We can see that basically the threat is becoming permanent and in this regard if we talk about the forces behind it we are very well aware that they have not yet abandoned their plans to violate frontiers and create tension. [Correspondent] According to Karimov, it is naive to suppose that extremists are no longer a threat to the countries of Central Asia. It is only recently that they were driven out of the Fergana Valley by force. As for the main topic of Afghanistan, Karimov explained that it was not incursions by columns of tanks that was to be feared but something entirely different. The enemy could appear at home. [Karimov] Today's warfare, today's aggression is not the same kind of war as the Great Patriotic War [World War II] or, say, the Vietnam War of the war in Afghanistan. Aggression takes completely different forms today, above all creeping expansion and fighters, bandit formations get in, creep in, to places you can't even imagine. [Correspondent] Yesterday perhaps Karimov was still under the influence of his Turkmen counterpart, [Saparmyrat] Niyazov who has learnt how to negotiate with the Taleban. The mood in Bishkek and Dushanbe is completely different and Karimov also changed his tune. | |||
| Uzbek court sentences criminal group leader to death | |||
 oint efforts of the Uzbek power-wielding agencies have resulted in solving
crimes by individuals involved in a terrorist group. Last November a group of
14 armed militants led by Vyacheslav Kim secretly crossed to Uzbek
territory from Tajikistan. A skirmish took place in the Ugam-Chatkal
national park near Yangiabad between the militants, the police and the park
workers, resulting in the death of 11 innocent people and other serious
consequences. An operations headquarters was set up to wipe out this
criminal group and the armed to the teeth terrorists were destroyed.
A special group comprising officers from the prosecutor's office, the Internal Affairs Ministry and the National Security Committee investigated the incident and passed the case to the court. The people sitting in the dock are criminal partners of terrorists. The bandits underwent training, including military, in special foreign camps. The criminal group committed several assaults, robberies and murders in Tashkent Region. From September 1999, a member of the group, Polvonnazir Khojayev, carried out instructions of Vyachelsav Kim. According to the investigation and court documents, firearms and drugs were found in the defendants' homes. Their crimes were fully proven by forensic evidence and witnesses' testimonies. The following verdict was passed on the group members after the Tashkent Regional court's commission for criminal cases, the court's chairman, Nizom Rustamov, public councilors, prosecutors and defence lawyers had thoroughly studied the criminal case: Ismoil Hasanov is sentenced to 24 years in prison, Ikrom Khidirov to 20 years, Akrom Khidirov to 19, Gani Khidirov to 18 years. The other members of the criminal group were given various prison terms, with confiscation of their property. The leader of the criminal group, ferocious militant Polvonnazir Khojayev, who had been arrested in Russia, was sentenced to death by firing squad. The republic's Supreme Court considered the verdict and left it unchanged. Thus the fate of the 14 young people is decided. (Uzbek TV, September 27) | |||
| Uzbeks housing families displaced from areas hit by militants | |||
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total of 530 ha of land have been allocated in [southern Surkhandarya
Region's] Denau District for 400 displaced families from Uzun and
Saryassiya Districts [in the same Region], victims of terrorists. The
construction of 160 cottages is in full swing there. Over 200 families from remote mountain villages of Uzun District alone have been temporarily accommodated in a kindergarten. Housing for them is being built by local and foreign construction teams. Employment and social issues are being promptly dealt with. Dozens of buildings are being constructed in the Istiqbol farm in Sherabad District [the same Region] for the 300 families removed from the north of Surkhandarya. Of them, 20 buildings - half the total number - will soon be ready for use. Builders of the Surkhanvodstroy [Surkhandarya water construction] trust promised that all the displaced would be provided with accommodation before the onset of cold weather. A new social and industrial centre is being built in Sherabad's virgin lands so that the displaced can become farmers and work independently. People in Surkhandarya are continuing charity actions to help out the victims. Apart from donations from private individuals and groups of people, the charity account has received money from a Regional action of volunteer labour. ('Pravda Vostoka' newspaper, September 27) | |||
| Uzbek leader meets top US military commander | |||
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n Wednesday, President Islam Karimov received the visiting
Commander-in-Chief of the US Army Central Command, Thomas Franks.
The president sincerely welcomed Mr Thomas Franks and congratulated him on
his new appointment. Thomas Franks thanked Karimov for the reception and said that the first thing that had impressed him after his arrival in Tashkent this morning was the beauty of Tashkent. The purpose of the visit is, of course, to study reforms in the Uzbek armed forces and, in general, various other reforms in the country, he said. He said that it was an important tasks to continue cooperations between the armed forces of the two countries. Mr Thomas Franks highly assessed Uzbekistan's initiatives and policies aimed at guaranteeing security in the region. During the meeting the sides exchanged views on the issues of expanding Uzbek-US relations and effectively using the opportunities in both countries to develop mutually advantageous relations. The sides also expressed views on security in Central Asia. The republic's minister of foreign affairs, Abdulaziz Komilov, minister of defence, Yuriy Agzamov, the US ambassador to Uzbekistan, Joseph Presel, were present at the meeting. | |||
| Three Uzbek boxers in semifinals | |||
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hree Uzbek boxers advanced into semifinals in the Olympic Games in Sydney.
Men's Boxing Sup Heavywt +91kg Quarterfinals
Men's Boxing Lt Heavywt 81kg Quarterfinals
Men's Boxing Lt Welterwt 63.5kg Quarterfinals | |||
| Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan sign military cooperation agreement | |||
 zbek President Islam Karimov's official visit to
Kyrgyzstan was crowned with the signing of an intergovernmental agreement
on military cooperation between the two countries.
Karimov's visit to Bishkek has laid a solid foundation for the development of Kyrgyz-Uzbek cooperation, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev told the press on Wednesday [27th September] as he commented on the results of the talks. Because of the recent international terrorist invasion of both countries, the two sides put great emphasis on security matters in the course of the talks, Akayev noted. This military cooperation agreement is the first document of its kind to be signed between two Central Asian states, the Kyrgyz president said. It consolidates the two countries' aspiration to provide stability and security at the level of both the countries and the region and is bound to have a positive effect on increasing the combat-readiness of the army and other power structures, "setting up a reliable barrier in the path of possible aggression", he said. (Russian news agency Interfax, September 27) | |||
| Uzbek leader urges joint security in Central Asia | |||
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t is the Central Asian countries that should for
the most part beef up the security of the Central Asian region, Uzbek
President Islam Karimov told Interfax on Wednesday [27th September] in
Bishkek in response to a question on possible measures to strengthen
regional security. "If we are not able to provide security for our populations and the countries of the region ourselves, no one will help us from the outside. We must look to our own resources," Karimov said. Reinforcing the armed forces and border guards is a concrete step towards strengthening regional security, the president said. He also called on the populations of countries bordering Afghanistan to be vigilant. The Uzbek leader pointed to the need for the region's countries to cooperate in security issues so that they are able to repulse any form of aggression. Karimov described as a "big mistake" the position of those countries that believe they are not in danger because they do not share common borders with Afghanistan. "The aggression today is taking the form of a creeping expansion, and bandit formations can pop up anywhere, especially as the matter involves drug corridors that actually run through the whole of Central Asia," the president said. It is important that the world community and human rights organizations should realize what is going on in Central Asia and "not heat up the situation in connection with (alleged) prosecution for religious beliefs", he said. "Those who go abroad to study at a madrasah learn religion for three months and spend another six in guerrilla camps in Pakistan and Afghanistan," he charged. The UN Security Council should convene an urgent session to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, Karimov said. If the Taleban seize complete control of the country, it will not mean that peace will come to Afghanistan, the Uzbek president continued. Peace will be reached in that country only when all ethnic and religious groups receive seats in a coalition government, and the Taleban should agree to this when forming a government, he said. The UN Security Council has to express its opinion on the current developments in Afghanistan, Karimov argued. "Unfortunately, the UN Security Council is very closely following the situation in Kosovo and Bosnia, while no measures are taken in relation to Afghanistan other than sanctions that do not frighten anyone." The Central Asian region, which "could become an object of aggression tomorrow", and the situation in Afghanistan itself urgently require that the UN Security Council work out measures with the support of the leading world powers, so that a further escalation of events both inside Afghanistan and outside is prevented, Karimov said. (Russian news agency Interfax, September 27) | |||
| Uzbek president favours bilateral basis in CIS ties | |||
|
zbek President Islam Karimov has urged that the
relations between the CIS countries should be reviewed and that these
relations should develop further on a bilateral basis.
Analytical work shows that, at present, a great many documents on cooperation are being signed within the CIS and other regional communities, but only a few of these agreements are actually implemented, Karimov said in Bishkek, where he arrived for an official visit. "The relations between the CIS should be revised in order to give priority to bilateral relations between the CIS countries, because it is much easier to exercise control over the implementation of bilateral agreements," the Uzbek president said today. Karimov suggested that all the CIS states should conclude bilateral agreements with Russia and then "model these agreements on a multilateral basis" so as to link the CIS states by concrete activities. (Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, September 27) | |||
| Kyrgyz, Uzbek presidents issue joint statement on talks | |||
 yrgyzstan and
Uzbekistan advocate a peaceful settlement to the conflict within
Afghanistan, a joint statement signed in Bishkek today by the leaders of
the two countries says. Askar Akayev and Islam Karimov, who is on an
official visit here, called upon the warring sides to take measures "to
achieve national reconciliation in the country".
The statement also says that Kyrgyzstan supports Uzbekistan's initiative on setting up an international anti-terrorist centre within the framework of the UN. In addition, the statement says, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan "will view hostile actions against either state as a threat to both and will take all possible measures to oppose them effectively". Both sides consider "stepping up cooperation within the framework of the agreement between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on joint action to combat terrorism", signed in Tashkent on 21st April, a priority in ensuring regional security. (Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, September 27) | |||
| Uzbek president says Russia should consult over interests in Central Asia | |||
|
f peace is to be ensured in Central Asia, Russia
should dovetail its policy with the interests of the Central Asian states,
Uzbek President Islam Karimov told Interfax in Bishkek on Wednesday [27th
September].
"As president of Uzbekistan, I recognize Russia's interests in Central Asia. These interests have to be protected, but they also need to be discussed with the leaders of the Central Asian states. If we are to ensure peace and stability in the region, Russia, as a great power, should coordinate its policy with our interests," Karimov said. "We must know what Russia will be doing tomorrow in our region and how it will defend its interests. Russia has to pursue a serious and well thought-out policy as regards Central Asia," the Uzbek president said. (Russian news agency Interfax, september 27) | |||
| Over 30 "dishonest" Uzbek customs officials sacked in 2000 | |||
|
ore than 30 dishonest and unsuitable people have
been sacked from the Uzbek customs service this year. An analysis of
administrative work showed that entrepreneurs committed 11,430 wrongdoings,
most of which were premeditated. Out of them, 9,300 wrongdoings were
committed by corporate bodies and 176 by officials in order to avoid paying
customs dues. In all, 1,319 wrongdoings are associated with smuggling and
drug trafficking. This information was provided at a sitting of the Customs
Committee of Uzbekistan devoted to comprehensive discussions of problems
which hinder the development of private business in the country.
A number of organizational and structural changes have taken place lately in the customs system of Uzbekistan, and its work has improved. In all 14 norm setting documents have been drawn up and approved. About 100 calls on issuing customs documents, customs payments, and, most importantly, about wrongdoings by customs officials have been received on confidential telephone lines. (Kyrgyz news agency Kabar, september 26) | |||
| Uzbek, German military academies discuss terrorism, emergencies | |||
|
scientific conference on handling and averting emergencies
opened at the armed forces academy in the Uzbek capital September 26.
It is being attended by men from the German federal armed forces academy. A military attache at the German embassy in Tashkent, Mr Burkhard Kunapsel, said that the conference was dealing with questions of terrorism and drug smuggling, which are pressing issues facing most countries. There is a need to combine efforts to settle the existing problems positively, he said. The conference is taking place as part of Uzbek-German military cooperation. | |||
| Chinese Communist delegation visits Uzbekistan | |||
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delegation of the Chinese Communist Party has
arrived in Uzbekistan to discuss cooperation with local political
organizations, ITAR-TASS learned on Wednesday [27th September].
The delegation is expected to hold negotiations with the four official political parties of Uzbekistan in the next five days. It will first visit the headquarters of the National Democratic Party, Uzbekistan's major political force, numbering some 500,000 members. The Chinese communists will also visit the state and public development academy, the institute of strategic and interregional research and the Uzbek parliament. No communist delegations have visited Uzbekistan since it gained independence in 1991. (Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, September 27) | |||
| Uzbekistan fears contamination from Soviet bacteriological warfar site | |||
|
fficials in northwest Uzbekistan
fear serious contamination at the site of a former Soviet military base
allegedly used to develop bacteriological weapons, a senior Uzbek official
told UPI Monday.
The officials in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic in the Central Asian state, said specialists from the United States Central Intelligence Agency had visited the island of Vozrozhdeniye, in the Aral Sea, to take samples of contaminated soil. Uzbek scientists were awaiting their findings but did not think there was an immediate danger to the Uzbek population. Bekbergen Bekturdiev, first deputy chairman of the Karakalpakstan Council of Ministers, who has visited the island three times, said "Visual inspection reveals -- yes, some experiments were carried out there." He said he had seen skeletons of animals despite an abundance of fodder, and noted that the Russian military had tried to cover up the test ground before it left the base. "We don't know what was tested there," Bekturdiev told UPI. The Russian army did not provide any information on the experiments when it left the island, he said, and was not forthcoming now. The island, some 550 miles (900 km) northwest of the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, has become a peninsula as the Aral Sea continues to shrink. It is impossible to drive on the old seabed and the island can only be reached by helicopter flying 30 miles (50 km) from the former shoreline. This isolation effectively precludes the immediate threat of a spread of any contamination to the mainland. (UPI, September 25) | |||
| Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan to focus on road construction, energy | |||
|
he road construction and the development of hydro power plants are key economic projects of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, Uzbek President Islam Karimov, now in Kyrgyzstan on an official visit, said on Tuesday.
The two countries, which have large water ponds, can supply cheap electricity to the whole Central Asia. Yet they have not used their economic potential in full, Karimov said. "It is time for our countries to grow wiser" and to use natural resources for the benefit of both republics, he noted. The construction of a highway from Tashkent to China via Andizhan and Osh is also very important, Karimov said. The road "will bring millions every year" to Kyrgyzstan and give Uzbekistan an access to the markets of China and Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, "little has been done, so it is time to solve the important questions at a high bilateral level," he said. (ITAR-TASS, September 26) | |||
| Boxing: Uzbek heavyweight Chagaev goes out | |||
 uslan Chagaev, the Uzbek heavyweight who won the 1997 amateur boxing world title and was then stripped of it for fighting previously as a professional, went out of the Olympics without a medal on Tuesday.
Chagaev lost 18-13 to Georgian Vladimir Tchantouria, who qualified for the semifinals and is assured of at least a bronze.
The Uzbek was seen as a contender for Olympic gold after he beat Cuba's Felix Savon in a controversial 1997 world championship final in Budapest. That win ended Savon's winning streak at five successive titles and dealt him his first championship loss since 1986. But the Cuban was later reinstated as champion after Chagaev was found to have fought twice as a professional and was suspended for two years. Double Olympic champion Savon took his revenge over Chagaev by beating him in last year's championships. (Reuters, September 26) ...But Rustam Saidov advances to semifinals and guarantees at least the bronze
September 27 Men's Athletics Decathlon Summary
1. HUFFINS Chris, USA, 2773 Women's Athletics 200m Round 1 Heat 4
1. GAINSFORD-TAYLOR Melinda, AUS, 22.71 Men's Canoe/Kayak Sprint K1 500m Heats Race 4
1. KOTOWICZ Grzegorz, POL, 1:40.204 | |||
| Uzbek president: Taliban poses no danger to Central Asian states | |||
|
zbek President Islam Karimov does not think that
the Taleban poses any danger to Central Asian republics.
"I do not think that the Taleban, which is presented as a strong force by some mass media bodies, is sure to cross the CIS boundary tomorrow," he has said. Afghanistan will need much time to solve "domestic problems. They need to foster economics and to develop, and that cannot be done quickly without countries of the Central Asian region," Karimov said. The president thinks that "panicky rumors and psychosis are being stirred up" artificially in the region and the whole world. That plays into hands of "certain forces to keep investors away from regional countries", he said. Yet there will be danger to the security and stability of Central Asia until the war in Afghanistan stops, Karimov said. "As long as that country remains the leading supplier of narcotic drugs to the world market, there will be a threat to stability in Central Asia," he said. (Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, September 26) | |||
| Uzbek president describe Afghanistan "cancerous tumour" | |||
|
eace can be reached in Afghanistan by setting up a
coalition government in that country, Uzbek President Islam Karimov has
said.
"Afghanistan is a cancerous tumour whose metastases are spreading too far," Karimov told the press upon arriving in Bishkek for an official visit on Tuesday [26th September]. The negotiations started by Russian presidential aide Sergei Yastrzhembsky in Islamabad show that the situation in Afghanistan is not only of concern to the Central Asian countries, Karimov noted. However, if the Taleban movement establishes control over all Afghanistan's northern provinces, this does not mean that they will immediately cross the southern CIS boundaries and provoke confrontation in Central Asia, the Uzbek president said. A new Afghan leadership will have to resolve the problems of restoring the economy and developing industry, and this will be very difficult to do without cooperation with the Central Asian republics, Karimov pointed out. (Russian news agency Interfax, September 26) | |||
| Uzbek leader plays down Taleban threat to Central Asia | |||
|
don't believe that the Taleban movement, which
some of the mass media present as a mighty force, will definitely cross the
CIS border tomorrow," Uzbek President Islam Karimov stated at Bishkek
airport today.
He said that Afghanistan would have to deal with "its internal problems" for a long time to come. "They now have to improve their country's economy, to develop, and without the countries of Central Asia they won't be able to do that very quickly." Karimov believes that "panicky rumours and psychosis are being artificially whipped up" among the population of the region and the whole world as a result of the latest events in Afghanistan. All of this is advantageous to "certain forces", so that they can in such a way "frighten off investors from the countries of the region", he noted. Meanwhile, he continued, the threat to security and stability in Central Asia will remain until the "20-year war" in Afghanistan ends. "As long as this state remains the main supplier of drugs to the world market the threat to stability in Central Asia will remain," he said. (Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, September 26) | |||
| Dutch university confers honorary degree in economics on Uzbek president | |||
|
ceremony took place at the Oqsaroy presidential residence for the Fontis
University of the Netherlands to confer on Uzbek President Islam Karimov
an honorary professorship of economics. This grand occasion was attended by senior education and culture officials, public figures, and representatives of the creative and scientific intelligentsia. Addressing those present at the meeting, President of Fontis University Morbert Verbrak pointed out that direct contacts between the peoples of cooperating countries were inevitable when cooperation in education was established, as they will exchange new views and ideas between themselves. A nation needs to understand itself and learn the experience of others before advancing forward. The executive committee of one of the most prestigious universities granted the head of Uzbek state an honorary doctorate of economics for his great part in the development of Uzbekistan on the path of deep economic reforms and towards a free, democratic society and also for his great contribution to education and research activities and publishing. In so saying, the Dutch university president highly rated the Uzbek head of state's own initiative and involvement in drafting and implementing the National Personnel Training Programme. He emphasized that Uzbekistan had been allocating substantial budgetary funds for the development of its education sector. Foreign intellectual circles think that on the soil of a large number of schools and colleges, Islam Karimov has developed a unique home of education in which science and creative work harmonize with one another and which will definitely serve the nation's interests. This is the first such experience in international practice, the guest said. Then a ceremony followed to confer on Islam Karimov a doctorate of economics. This added to the list of scientific degees the Uzbek president has been awarded. The fruitful work by President Karimov has been highly assessed by quite a few authoritative scientific establishments. Meanwhile, today's event obliges one to further advance the interests of the national education system in harmony with international practice. Speaking about this, the Uzbek president, Islam Karimov, said the following among other things: [Karimov] Cooperation is a process that takes two. In this process students and lecturers can change places. We are greatly pleased to have something to learn from you and, naturally, you from us. Today, few disagree that investment in education is the most beneficial and profitable type of investment. What is at issue is that the expertise of the world's most advanced countries, notably the USA, Japan, European countries, including Holland, suggest that the intellectural wealth these countries have are the fundamentals on which everything is built - industry, modern technologies and the standard of living you enjoy today. I repeat once again that only the intellectual potential and intellectual wealth which every state has and can acquire, can give the impetus to ensure a high standard of living for every country, nation and state in the 21st century. We are firmly convinced that investment in the development of education can produce the explosive impact that Uzbekistan needs. I would like to underline that education and the reform in education has another important aspect on which I would like to lay special emphasis. Whatever we come up against on the path of creating a democratic and law-based state and civil society - [sentence incomplete]. Everywhere we face and need to tackle one problem - we are thoroughly convinced, not merely think, that the only problem we have to begin to deal with - is education, training new personnel and a generation that can use their own initiative and have a modern outlook on things, people that can continue passing on the heritage our great ancestors left us, and who can keep up with the achievements of today's intellectual world. (Uzbek TV) | |||
| Uzbek president leaves for talks in Kyrgyzstan | |||
|
zbek President Islam Karimov left for Kyrgyzstan
on a two-day official visit today. Karimov will hold talks with Kyrgyz
President Askar Akayev. A number of documents, such as a joint declaration
by the two presidents and an Uzbek-Kyrgyz agreement on military and
military-technical assistance are to be signed on the results of the talks.
The leaders of the two states will also discuss matters linked with security in Central Asia, concerted actions against international terrorism and religious fanaticism and the current situation in Afghanistan, ITAR-TASS learned from official sources. (Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, September 26) Uzbek Radio Uzbek president leaves for Kyrgyzstan, backs incumbent Uzbek President Islam Karimov left Tashkent on an official visit to Kyrgyzstan today. Speaking to journalists before his departure for Bishkek, Karimov said that the way Kyrgyzstan reacted to the hostage-taking in Batken Region last year cooled bilateral relations a little, but "no such events can ruin our eternal relations". He said he and his Kyrgyz counterpart would sign two documents, in particular a statement on reinforcing bilateral relations and one on reinforcing military and military-technical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Besides that other documents, such as improving relations between customs organizations, improving consular relations, improving bilateral relations on legal issues and others will be signed during the visit. Concerning the presidential elections to be held in Kyrgyzstan on 29th October, he said: "If I was a Kyrgyz citizen, proceeding from the past and present situation, thinking of the future, without any hesitation, I would vote for Askar Akayev." The following are excerpts from the report broadcast on Uzbek radio on 26th September: [Karimov] We remember last year's events in [southern Kyrgyz] Batken well. At that time we concentrated our forces on that area in order to guarantee our peace. It was quite an alarming time. We all know that very well. At that time, we must say this openly, the leadership of Kyrgyzstan, if you like, certain forces which disseminated various subversive rumours circulated unfair reports. It would be wrong to say that they treated the invaders, terrorists, militants in a friendly way. However, they [Kyrgyz authorities] found a common language with them and satisfied or observed their demands in order to secure the release of the hostages. I think it is worth mentioning that policy now. You know well a proverb which says that a friend in need is a friend indeed. No matter that the events of last year made a kind of contribution to cooling bilateral relations, such events cannot affect the eternal friendship [between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan]. No forces with weapons in their hands and terrorist acts are able to do anything. Taking this opportunity, I would like to say this clearly to our public and people. Let people not only in Uzbekistan but also Kyrgyz and Uzbek people in Kyrgyzstan hear me: I say once again, no such events can ruin our eternal relations. We have a common history, religion, language and we are an open-hearted people. This year we witnessed the repeat of last year's events. Last year it began in August and this year also it began in August, that is, there were incursions both in Kyrgyzstan and in Uzbekistan's Saryassiya [District southern Surkhandarya Region] and Tashkent Region. We really admired this year's efforts by the Kyrgyz people, above all, by the president of Kyrgyzstan, its armed forces, in general, the leadership, public and the whole nation in eliminating such attempts, repulsing the militants. I think Kyrgyzstan, and, if you like, certain people here, have drawn the proper conclusions from the negative events of last year. We have united our efforts to repulse the invaders and monsters, and this gives us fresh power. This serves as good grounds to reinforce the eternal friendship that you have mentioned and bring our people closer. During this visit we are planning to sign five documents. Together with my friend, Askar Akayev, we will sign two documents, above all a statement on reinforcing bilateral relations, and one important document, a resolution on reinforcing military and military-technical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. We will sign these two documents. Other documents, on improving relations between customs organizations, improving consular relations, improving bilateral relations on legal issues and bringing legal documents closer to each other will also be signed. Presidential elections will take place in Kyrgyzstan at the end of October this year. Each country carries out good preparatory work for this process, of course. Taking this opportunity, the Uzbek president said the following: [Karimov] A great deal of preparatory work is being carried out for these elections. We even can say that six candidates are struggling for the presidential post. The incumbent president of Kyrgyzstan, Askar Akayev, is also among them and has started his election campaign. Our people and public are interested in this. These elections are the internal affair of the Kyrgyz people and state. One should be far from influencing this process, because these are the internal affairs of an independent country, and I think that the multinational Kyrgyz people will make their choice. If I am asked, if I imagine myself as a Kyrgyz citizen, if they ask me whom I will vote for, without hesitation, proceeding from the situation in the past and present and thinking of the future, taking into account our joint efforts, I would vote for Askar Akayev above all. Let people hear me and I think they will draw conclusions from this. I think that this is not interference in the internal affairs of Kyrgyzstan. I am saying this as a representative of a fraternal state and a fraternal people. | |||
| Russian business centre opens in Uzbekistan | |||
|
he Uzbek Justice Ministry has registered the Russian Business
Centre republican association, a nonstate non-profit-making organization.
On this occasion a news conference for local and foreign journalists was
held at the Russian embassy in our country.
Generally speaking, there has long been a need for such an organization. It is no secret that quite a few Russian businessmen come to our country sincerely wishing to set up a joint business. They sometimes succeed in establishing a joint stock company (incidentally, even the Russian embassy does not know exactly how many Uzbek-Russian joint stock companies there are), but often fail to run it efficiently. Yet Russia and Uzbekistan have great potential in their current trade and economic relations, not to mention those in the past, including at a regional level. What is stopping this potential from being realised? It was noted at the news conference that because of their poor knowledge of Uzbek business legislation and failure to keep up with the general situation and present-day realities, Russian businessmen often fail to adapt to the market. The establishment of the Russian business centre, or the RBC (one should get used to this abbreviation now), it is believed, will help bring about a fundamental change in the current state of affairs. At present the centre is at the phase of coming into being, so to speak, "groping for" links and approaches to solving specific problems. But its ultimate objectives have, of course, already been set. These, as the chairman of the RBC board, Viktor Pasyuta, says, are the implementation of permanant programmes for providing information and marketing support for Russian firms in Uzbekistan; to arrange consultations for them on the legal and investment climate for them and establish mutually beneficial partnership relations between Russian and Uzbek Regions. Of course, these are merely the main aims of the newly born RBC. These create many opportunities, and the main thing here is determine what businessmen need for efficient business. It is for this end that negotiations are already under way between the Russian association of entrepreneurs and the Federal Council's bodies for regions, and with the Uzbek Chamber of Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs. In a word, there is a great deal ahead to be done and we hope that RBC will successfully carry out its mission of promoting trade and economic ties between Russia and Uzbekistan, which will for its part serve the successful development of the whole field of interstate relations. | |||
| US military aid to former USSR countries aimed against Russia | |||
 y giving military assistance to former Soviet republics, the USA is boosting the territorial
independence of those republics, but this military cooperation is to some extent anti-Russian in
nature, according to a report published by the Russian newspaper 'Kommersant' on 23rd September.
The following is the text of the report:The US Congress yesterday allocated 45.5m dollars to fund a programme of military assistance for a number of countries of the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States]. The money will go to Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Moldova, which are united in the GUUAM organization, and also to Armenia. Washington says that it is trying in this way "to boost the territorial independence of republics of the former USSR". GUUAM (up to 1999, the GUAM, since Uzbekistan joined the organization only in April of last year), which was formed several years ago with Washington's most lively participation, was initially created to the slogan of strengthening economic cooperation. But economic topics were gradually replaced by military cooperation, of an anti-Russian nature to some extent. At yesterday's vote Benjamin Gilman, the chairman of the House International Relations Committee, did not even make any secret of the fact that the document is aimed against Russia, which he accused of attempts "to weaken and undermine the fledgling democracies" in neighbouring countries. The amount of 45.5m dollars that has been allocated is for a period of two years. Of these, 25m dollars are being allocated within the framework of foreign military funding, 12m dollars within the framework of the export control programme, 5.5m dollars for the programme of international military training and instruction, and only 3m [dollars] for the fight against terrorism. What is more, a large part of the money - 37m dollars - will be transferred only in 2002. The American legislators are evidently afraid that their wards would spent the money that has been allocated at their discretion and want initially to satisfy themselves as to their obedience. However, this is a comparatively small amount of money. Georgia alone, for example, has in the past three years received via various American agencies and programmes military assistance totalling approximately 200m dollars, and this despite the fact that Georgia's annual military budget in this time has not once been in excess of 30m dollars. In addition, the United States has bestowed on Georgia several military patrol craft and helicopters and has for a symbolic fee trained dozens of Georgian officers and military specialists of all arms of the service. The United States has repeatedly rendered Georgia's armed forces assistance with fuel, uniforms and auxiliary equipment. Nonetheless, the GUUAM countries, which are experiencing a want of resources, are extremely interested in American assistance. Specifically, Uzbek President Islam Karimov recently told `Kommersant' that the republic is sorely in need of the building of a modern air defence system and is prepared to make use of any support for this. Even today Uzbek border guards are wearing American boots and driving around in American Hummer jeeps, communicating by means of American radio sets, and employing transatlantic night-vision instruments. Armenia will also get its share. It is not a member of GUUAM and remains Russia's sole ally in the Transcaucasus. But, in rendering military assistance to Azerbaijan, the Americans cannot bypass Armenia, the point being that the United States is a part of the OSCE Nagornyy Karabakh Minsk Group and must not, therefore, give preference to either party to the conflict. (Russian Newspaper "Kommersant", September 26) | |||
| Latest Olympic results for Uzbek athletes (September 26) | |||
|
en's Boxing Bantamweight 54kg Quarterfinals Uzbekistan's RAHIMOV Alisher lost to Russian MALAKHBEKOV Raimkoul by 16-10
Men's Wrestling Greco-Roman 85kg Pool Elimination Match
Men's Wrestling Greco-Roman 69kg Pool Elimination Match
Men's Wrestling Greco-Roman 58kg Pool Elimination Match Men's Canoe/Kayak Sprint K1 1000m Heats Race 4
1. LIWOWSKI Lutz, GER, 3:36.404 | |||
| UNICEF is preparing to launch an appeal for Uzbekistan | |||
|
he United Nations Children's Fund is preparing to launch an appeal for Uzbekistan, where ninety
per cent of the rice crop has failed because of drought.
UNICEF says the main focus will be on the provision of drinking water and other health needs.
Similar international appeals have already been launched for neighbouring Tajikistan, which has also
been hit by drought. The BBC Central Asia correspondent says the climate is not the only reason for the crisis. She says irrigation channels built during the Soviet era have been poorly maintained, owing to a lack of funds, insufficient expertise and years of civil war. (BBC, September 25) | |||
| Uzbek wrestler gets the fourth place in Sydney | |||
 ormer greco-roman world champion Alfred Ter-Mkrtchyan of Germany bowed out of the
Olympics 54 kg division with a win on Tuesday but without a medal.
The 1995 world title holder, narrowly beaten in Monday's quarter-finals, took fifth place after crushing Wang Hui of China 6-0.
Fourth, fifth and sixth places were settled on Tuesday morning, with losers from Monday's two quarter-finals fighting over the
minor placings.
In the 63 kg category, Bakhodir Kurbanov of Uzbekistan was a convincing winner against Kevin Bracken of the United States. The dominant Kurbanov led 6-0 before finishing off the American with a three-point throw that also earned a bonus point for good technique. That gave the Uzbek a 10-0 lead and a victory by technical superiority. | |||
| UN envoy tries again to stop Afghan fighting, arms | |||
|
he Afghan Taliban's quest for international recognition and fear of further sanctions
might convince the Islamic fundamentalist movement to negotiate a peace plan, a U.N. official said on Monday.
In addition, Francesc Vendrell, the special representative for Afghanistan, said it was important to persuade the country's neighbours they should stop interfering in the Afghan civil war, presumably with arms to one side or another. "Both the Taleban and the United Front continue to receive assistance from the outside," Vendrell told reporters after briefing the Security Council. Vendrell, who will be in the region next week, said he needed to break the "vicious circle" among Afghanistan's neighbours and others, who fear that if they stop assistance, the other side will continue it. "It's going to take time because of the national interests of many of the 'six plus two' countries...involved." Neighbouring countries Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Iran and China in addition to Russia and the United States make up the "six plus two" group. "The Taleban is extremely interested in obtaining international recognition and this is clearly one weapon," Vendrell said. "I also have a feeling that they would be very unhappy at the prospect of any kind of further sanctions," Vendrell said. After a recent meeting of the group, several members proposed an arms embargo on the Taleban as well as their main opposition, the United Front or Northern Alliance if Vendrell made no progress by November. He sees both sides next week. But Vendrell said that while some council members wanted to increase sanctions "that is not necessarily the view of all members of the council." In a Security Council statement on Monday, members threatened the Taleban with vague unspecified measures as they had done on previous occasions without taking action. The council in October 1999 imposed aviation and financial sanctions on the Taleban for not surrendering Saudi-born dissident Osama bin Laden on charges of plotting the August 1998 bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The Muslim fundamentalist Taleban, which rules nearly 90 percent of Afghanistan but is not recognised by the United Nations, accuses Tajikistan, Russia, Iran and others of aiding the opposition alliance, which in turn says the Taleban receives arms from Pakistan. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in a report issued recently, said Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are grappling with infiltration of extremists believed to be based in Afghanistan. Since early August, militant Uzbek dissidents have infiltrated both countries, apparently through Tajikistan. The incursions, the report said, "highlight once again the danger of further spread of the conflict, and the need for a comprehensive rather than a piecemeal approach to the Afghan crisis." (Reuters, September 25) | |||
| Latest Olympic results | |||
|
eptember 25 results
Men's Wrestling Greco-Roman 85kg Pool Elimination Match
Men's Wrestling Greco-Roman 69kg Pool Elimination Match
Men's Wrestling Greco-Roman 58kg Pool Elimination Match Men's Athletics Long Jump Qualifying Round Group A
1. PEDROSO Ivan, CUB, 8.32 | |||
| Supplying Uzbek eastern regions with own power to be priority | |||
|
he issue of supplying the Uzbek eastern Regions in Fergana Valley with
their own electricity has to be given priority in the new project for
developing the republic's energy sector, Uzbek President Islam Karimov has
said. Speaking at a government sitting on developing the sector, President
Karimov said that the Region's geographic location and its population's
rapid growth required a special approach. He noted that the Region had
enough energy resources of its own and that there was no need to bring
electricity to it through the territory of Tajikistan. President Karimov
also noted that tackling water and power issues jointly with Kyrgyzstan
would be of benefit to the two countries. The following are excerpts from
President Karimov's speech as published in the `Khalq Sozi' newspaper on
21st September:
A sitting devoted to the prospects of developing and reconstructing the energy sector has been held at the [president's] Oqsaroy residence [in Tashkent]. The heads of the relevant ministries, departments, establishments, committees and organizations, as well as experts attended the meeting. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov chaired the meeting. The development of power engineering requires great capital resources, the head of Uzbekistan said. That means we should draw up the most optimal projects before spending the funds, because power engineering is the source of the country's current potential and of its future might. For example, the resolution of many problems of using water from the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers depends on power engineering issues. Obtaining electricity during winter from Toktogul water reservoir in Kyrgyzstan requires the release of a great amount of water there. This leads to a decrease in water during the irrigation period in summer. The evenness of the water flow in the Amudarya river in turn is associated with the Norak water reservoir [in Tajikistan] [the president said]. Most thermal power plants in Uzbekistan are currently using natural gas. Of course, the gas is rather cheap, and it is easy to burn it. But I think that using in this way our natural resources which belong not only to us but also to our future generation is a crime, President Karimov noted. Gas and oil are very valuable technological raw materials, irreplaceable wealth. Such priceless gifts of nature have to be preserved for future generations. Speaking about a project drawn up by the Power Engineering and Electrification Ministry, the head of our country drew the sitting's attention to some other strategic issues on further developing the energy sector. First, the above project fails to include a clear-cut balance of using coal, gas and oil - basic fuels. At the same time, when talking about the prospects of developing the energy sector, it is not clear which fuel we should pay priority attention to. Funds spent on the energy sector should be of benefit and serve the future of the country as a whole. And when talking about the development of the energy sector, which is the bulwark of the economy, strategic fields should be in the focus of attention [President Karimov said]. Fifth, strengthening international cooperation in the energy sector is a priority issue now. In particular, cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in supplying Fergana Valley with electricity may yield good results. One should not forget that in the Central Asian conditions water and power issues are inseparably linked. The joint resolution of these issues could be of benefit to both countries. Sixth, it is necessary that the issue of supplying Fergana Valley with electricity is introduced as a separate article in the project of developing the energy system, the head of our state said. The valley's economic potential, its geographic location and its population's rapid growth demand such a special approach to this issue. Currently, electricity is being supplied to the valley through the territory of Tajikistan. At the same time, the valley has enough energy resources to supply itself with its own electricity. | |||
| U.S. to provide emergency drought assistance to Karakalpakstan | |||
|
n September 22, U.S. Ambassador Joseph A. Presel and the Executive Director of the
American non-governmental organization, Joint Development Associates (JDA) Robert Hedlund
signed an agreement to fund a water project in Northern Karakalpakstan. The agreement was signed at Tashkent's National Press Center. Representatives from the U.S. Embassy, USAID, JDA, international donor organizations and high-level governmental officials attended the signing ceremony. As a result of this new agreement, the U.S. Government will provide JDA with a $25,000 grant to provide safe drinking water for people living in six remote communities in Muynak Rayon. This funding is an immediate response from Washington to Ambassador Presel's request for emergency relief. The water project involves digging 35-40 shallow water wells and providing hand pumps. At present, the only source of safe drinking water in these six communities is from canals that are now almost completely dry due to the drought. This water project has been developed to provide an alternate, reliable source of potable water as soon as possible for the people of these remote communities. JDA has been working in Karakalpakstan for the past five years. During this time, this organization has directed numerous, successful efforts including desalinization filter repair projects that have provided potable water to over 60,000 people. This project is only one step in U.S. assistance to Uzbekistan for drought relief. In the past, the United States through USAID has assisted the Karakalpakstan Autonomous Government with other water projects. These include the U.S. Aral Sea Program. The latter has provided greater access to safe water through water system reliability improvements, reduced bacterial contamination through improved water quality, reduced public health risks through health education, and water management policy improvements through regional cooperation. In October 2000, USAID will begin a child survival program to improve the health of the younger generation of Karakalpakstan. | |||
| Juvenile, serious crime plummet in first half of 2000 in Uzbekistan | |||
|
he overall crime rate in the first six months of 2000 was down 0.49 per
cent year on year in Uzbekistan, with the juvenile crime rate down 12.5 per
cent, Uzbek Supreme Court Chairman Ubaydulla Mingboyev wrote in an article
published in the 23rd September edition of the Uzbek `Turkiston' newspaper.
Uzbekistan now has the lowest juvenile crime rate amongst the CIS countries, Mingboyev added. Serious crime rates dropped significantly over the review period. "As a result of crime prevention measures, the overall number of murders in the period under review fell 60 per cent year on year, the number of rapes halved and there were 60 per cent fewer assaults," Mingboyev said. | |||
| Uzbek football championship results | |||
|
ound 30 matches:
Turon-Pakhtakor 3:1 | |||
| Latest Olympic results for Uzbek athletes | |||
|
lympic men's hammer qualifying round results for September 23 (qualifying standard 77.50 or best
12 to final): Group 1:
1. Andriy Skvaruk (Ukraine) - 79.55 Group 2:
1. Igor Astapkovich (Belarus) 79.81
Boxing: Men's 57kg: Last eight
Boxing: Men's Over 91kg: Last eight
September 24 Boxing: Men's 63.5kg: Last eight
Boxing: Men's 81kg: Last eight Men's Athletics Long Jump Qualifying Round Group A (September 25)
1. PEDROSO Ivan, CUB, 8.32
Men's Wrestling Greco-Roman 85kg Pool Elimination Match
Men's Wrestling Greco-Roman 69kg Pool Elimination Match
Men's Wrestling Greco-Roman 63kg Quarterfinals Match | |||
| Uzbek coach fined for trying to smuggle performance-enhancing drugs | |||
|
n Uzbek track and field coach pleaded guilty Monday to trying to smuggle the
performance-enhancing human growth hormone into Australia before the Olympics.
Sergei Voynov fined $5,500 for trying to bring 15 vials of the banned substance into Sydney. HGH is undetectable using current doping tests. Under Australian drug trafficking laws, Voynov had faced a maximum fine of $55,000. Voynov's attorney, Clive Stern, told the court his client was using the drug to treat a skin disorder and that he did not know it was banned. Voynov, who sat next to an interpreter and did not speak during the hour-long hearing, stood at one point and removed a blond wig to show the magistrate that he was bald. Magistrate Kevin Maughan said the claim that an Olympic track and field coach did not know HGH was illegal "flies in the face of reality." Olympic officials have said they could withdraw Voynov's accreditation if it is determined he was improperly carrying HGH. Uzbek National Olympic Committee president Sabuirjan Ruziev said last week Voynov has a skin disorder called Alopecia capitis totalis, or total baldness of the scalp, and that Voynov had treatment with the drug Somatotropine before coming to Sydney. Prosecutors said Voynov had brought a seven-week supply of the drug to the Olympics, which last two weeks. Customs department spokesman Leon Bedington declined to comment on the severity of the sentence, and neither Voynov nor his attorney spoke after the hearing. It was not immediately clear how Voynov would pay the fine. Stern told the court Voynov earns the equivalent of $330 per year. (AP) | |||
| Turkish foreign minister assesses ties with Uzbekistan | |||
 oreign Minister of Turkey Ismail Cem said efforts were exerted to
overcome the sourness between the two countries. Cem pointed out that they
tried to enliven the relations with Uzbekistan, adding that he will pay a
visit to this country in this respect. Cem noted that President Ahmet
Necdet Sezer will also visit Uzbekistan and expressed wish that relations
will be improved following these developments. (Turkish Anatolia news agency, September 22)
| |||
| Uzbek warlord useful both for Afghan Taleban and Russia | |||
|
ussia has made use of the leader of the banned Islamic Movement of
Uzbekistan, Juma Namangoniy, to strengthen its positions in Central Asian
region, a journalist working for the Kyrgyz Kabar news agency, Turat
Akimov, said in an article published in the Kyrgyz Russian-language
newspaper `Liberalnaya Gazeta' on 12th September. In addition, the Afghan
Taleban need Juma Namangoniy in Uzbekistan's eastern Fergana valley "as a
destabilizer" and to help the Taleban to stop military aid reaching the
commander of the United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan,
Ahmad Shah Masud. At the same time, for Uzbekistan's "fifth column", Juma
Namangoniy is a "Robin Hood" figure and fighter for the faith, the report
said. The following is the text of the report:
Russia has made use of the leader of the banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Juma Namangoniy, to strengthen its positions in Central Asian region, a journalist working for the Kyrgyz Kabar news agency, Turat Akimov, said in an article published in the Kyrgyz Russian-language newspaper `Liberalnaya Gazeta' on 12th September. In addition, the Afghan Taleban need Juma Namangoniy in Uzbekistan's eastern Fergana valley "as a destabilizer" and to help the Taleban to stop military aid reaching the commander of the United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Masud. At the same time, for Uzbekistan's "fifth column", Juma Namangoniy is a "Robin Hood" figure and fighter for the faith, the report said. The following is the text of the report: Juma Namangoniy is a most odious political figure in the [Central Asian] region. He has put a number of questions before the special services, the main one being: "Whom might Juma Namangoniy serve?" The question remains in force today, and against the background of the new events in [Uzbek southern] Surkhandarya and [Kyrgyz southern] Batken it even requires analysis. All Juma Namangoniy's activities in recent years are connected with Tajikistan. It was there that he became established as a political figure. For about seven years he fought on the side of the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) against the Tajik government forces, and by virtue of his services he can quite legally and freely move on Tajik territory. However, as a supporter of the UTO, Juma is undesirable for official [Tajik capital] Dushanbe and [Tajik President Emomali] Rahmonov's regime, being a destabilizing factor. The challenge Juma Namangoniy made to Kyrgyzstan has revealed the weak points of our country's security system and forced the leadership to ask for aid from outside. What Kyrgyzstan has gained from Juma Namangoniy is that his intrusion awakened the national consciousness and dignity of Kyrgyz people and sharpened their sense of unity and statehood. Juma is unfavourable for Uzbekistan because he is managing to unite around himself the entire Uzbek fifth column, which is continuing to grow. For many dissidents, Juma is undoubtedly an authority and a kind of "Robin Hood", a fighter for the faith. However, one should take into account the fact that sooner or later the accumulated negative mass will require decisive steps from its "knight commander", understanding perfectly that whilst President Islam Karimov is alive they can hardly hope for any amnesty or return to their motherland. Besides that Juma Namangoniy has in many respects forced [Uzbek capital] Tashkent to change the direction of its foreign policy. Juma Namangoniy is continuing to undermine Uzbekistan's internal political security both from inside and outside. The point is that many processes inside Uzbekistan simply serve his purposes - these include interethnic conflicts, the vagueness of political moods and people's dissatisfaction with the current economic situation. The growing number of his supporters both inside and outside Uzbekistan prove this. If Uzbekistan recognized the Taleban as the supreme power in Afghanistan, this might to a certain extent secure Karimov against a "jihad" and neutralize the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, but "Moscow is behind us and there is nowhere to retreat". Afghanistan and Uzbekistan view the personality of Juma Namangoniy quite differently. One should take into account that Juma needs the Taleban because he has no other way out. Today only they can give him a political asylum. For this reason the Taleban's influence on Juma is quite considerable and knowing this he tries to deserve their respect. Though Juma can give good support to the Taleban in battles against [Ahmad Shah] Masud [commander of the United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan], the situation in the region reveals something completely different - the Taleban need Juma in the Fergana valley as a destabilizer and a drugs route. The Taleban have managed to snatch away from Masud the strategically important transport corridors which connect him with the Northern Alliance. And if the Taleban manage to dig in in those areas until the winter, and Juma in his turn helps them to wreck the coordination of actions and transfer of military and technical aid from the Northern Alliance to Masud, then the Taleban will be ensured victory in the near future. This is quite realistic, given the Taleban's influence on Juma and the money spent on him. However, the most interesting riddle is the Taleban's geopolitical sweep, which stretches from the Tyan-Shan mountains to the Caucasus, whereas for more than three years they have not been able to gain the upper hand over Masud. One can only guess who stands behind them. The Kremlin's shadow has always loomed over Central Asia since the 18th century. However, its presence was most strongly felt during the [former] USSR period and those years were the most progressive for all young countries around the Fergana valley [Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan]. After the collapse of the USSR they distanced themselves somewhat from Russia and there were overconfident hopes for independence. However, Juma Namangoniy has returned them to their former state somewhat and thereby has turned out to be the most advantageous for Russia. The Kremlin has made excellent use of Juma Namangoniy in its own interests and reinforced the positions it had lost in the region. Meanwhile, certain commentators are inclined to think that Juma Namangoniy is simply "the hand of the Kremlin". For example, an analyst from Tajikistan, Salimjon Ayub (BBC Radio on 27th June) asks why Russian border guards cannot catch Juma Namangoniy on the border? He has travelled from Tajikistan to Afghanistan and back several times, and even with a convoy of buses for his family. A number of other questions arise in this connection. 1. Can Russia actually use Juma Namangoniy to achieve its geopolitical aims? 2. To what extent can Russia control Juma Namangoniy and why did it threaten bomb attacks against Afghanistan, thus increasing the tension in the region? We should also note certain things which could have a place in this context. For example, can Russia influence Juma Namangoniy? The answer is simple - yes, it can, they can catch him or his convoys on the Tajik-Afghan border. How can it be done? With the help of the three Fergana presidents [as received, presumably the presidents of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan], plus the Russian border guards, nevertheless, Russia heads the Northern Alliance and CIS Collective Security Treaty. Nor is Russia the least important member of the Shanghai Forum [China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan]. However, these questions raise another questions: to what extent is it necessary for the Kremlin to fight Uzbek extremism, and can Juma fight on two fronts? ("Liberalnaya Gazeta", Bishkek, September 12) | |||
| Uzbek TV broadcasts special programme on Uzbek-Turkmen talks | |||
|
zbek TV broadcast a special 45-minute programme on 22nd September giving
the highlights of Uzbek President Islam Karimov's visit to Turkmenistan on
21st-22nd September. Before departure for the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat,
Karimov stressed that there were no unresolved problems between the two
countries. On arrival, he told journalists that there were no longer any
militants on Uzbek territory. Interviewed at Ashgabat airport on 22nd
September before returning to Tashkent, Karimov hinted that Uzbekistan had
changed its attitude towards the Taleban movement and he reiterated that
Uzbekistan was able to defend itself without collective forces which would
include Russia. The following are excerpts from the news conference:
What is the main aim of the visit to Turkmenistan by our president, Islam Karimov? [Islam Karimov in Uzbek, video shows him giving interview at Tashkent airport before his departure to Turkmenistan on 21st September] We have been conducting preparatory work for this visit for a long time. The main purpose of this visit is to discuss border issues, proceeding from international requirements, and to conclude agreements which will remove any confusion and misunderstanding. This is important not only for the present but also for the future generation. This agreement is very important in order to maintain peaceful, stable and friendly relations, to bring the two nations together, to deal harshly with any forces from abroad and establish mutually reliable ties. From this point of view we have carried out good preparatory work. There are two Uzbek-Turkmen commissions. The border between the two countries is very long, but nevertheless we should discuss all the details, which settlement is situated where, water problems, issues concerning pastures, and also issues of efficient use of the waters of the Amudarya. I repeat once again, these are the most topical issues and we should settle them. This is the second issue. Speaking about other issues, what agreements we are going to sign, I can say that we will sign three agreements. These are settling problems of taxation, that is regulating laws of the two states in this sector and making the maximum use of the railways and motor roads between the two countries. About your question, above all, if we want to settle problems of trade, we should tackle above all problems of communication. From this point of view, we have prepared an agreement for signing. I would like to take this opportunity to say that during those years when we exported our goods only to the north, Turkmenistan's significance for us was completely different. That is, the issues of entering Europe, Caucasus, or Bulgaria and Romania through Turkmenistan and the Caspian Sea were never considered before. Now, since we have become independent, we are striving to bring it about that Uzbekistan should have not only one but, like Bukhara [ancient city on Silk Route in central Uzbekistan] it should have 11 gates, and our aim is through Turkmenistan and Iran to reach the Persi-an Gulf, Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Black Sea. Turkmenistan plays a great and important geographical and geopolitical role in solving these issues. We draw the relevant conclusions from this, and we would like to settle problems of transit and tariffs. If their tariff and customs regulations are beneficial for us, we should also create the same advantages for them. The head of the customs directorate is also together with us to participate in the discussions on these issues. Another issue is communications. You understand very well that this issue is very important and topical at present. We have been drawing up another big agreement, we have been trying to draw it up. This agreement, that is, improving economic relations, that is, 10 years ago we began to work out a programme for developing economic relations. However, certain official issues have not been solved yet, and I should say that it is not ready for signing yet. Efforts are being made and we will certainly do our best to settle all these issues. The point is that, as Uzbeks say, your close neighbour is your best friend. If you ask me whether there are any misunderstandings, contradictions and unsolved problems between the two states, I can say without any hesitation that there are no problems between us. That is, such issues as mutual support for each other and peaceful coexistence are on today's agenda. I think that this visit will take place at a high level, and I lay great hopes on the meeting with my friend Saparmyrat [Niyazov], and I think the mutual talks, mutual meetings and conversations will certainly bear fruit. Everything should be done in order to make our relations good, mutually trusting, comprehensively advantageous and for the long term, contributing to the development of the two countries. We are always open. We always talk about and raise issues during mutual talks. But it takes two hands to clap. So we are open to everybody. If others had the same aspiration as we have, resolutely stopped some of their games and demonstrat-ed their sincere attitude not just on paper but in reality, we would be only too glad. [Correspondent] After meeting the members of the official delegations the presidents gave an interview to journalists at the airport. [Karimov in Russian] We greatly respect the neutral policy of independent Turkmenistan on issues connected with settling problems in Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan's personal view on this. I stress this, probably this question interests many of you. My answer to this question is simple. Yes, our views on these problems are different. I make no secret of it. However, I personally view with great respect Turkmenistan's position in tackling the Afghan problem and preserving stability in our region. Strange as it might seem, sometimes something which at first glance looks quite inappropriate or even absurd - [changes tack] Today Saparmyrat Niyazov's views are sometimes, taking on a more pragmatic nature from the point of view of the realities of the present day. Replying to a question about the elimination of the group of terrorists which intruded into the territory of Uzbekistan, our president said: [Karimov in Russian] I would, simply, like to reassure you. This is no longer an issue. They pe-netrated [our territory] and we have already eliminated them, wiped them out. They are no longer on the territory of Uzbekistan. [Correspondent] During the talks Uzbek President Islam Karimov dwelt on mutual cooperation and burning issues of the present day. [Karimov in Russian] I completely agree with those warm wards expressed by you [Saparmyrat Niyazov] regarding the peoples of the two countries. When speaking about what linked us in the past and what links us today, then I would like to dwell on four factors. Second. For many centuries, including the present time, we have been tackling common issues. It so happened that in the past our peoples lived in difficult conditions and the Amudarya River fed our peoples, who through their hard work managed to harvest good yields. Conditions were hard when we constantly experienced water shortages, and the fertility of our lands cannot be compared with that of other countries, such as, for instance, Ukraine and Russia. And of course, these were newly developed lands yet even under such circumstances we, our people, manage achieve good results. I think that the tasks we are tackling are similar and all this is an important factor which unites our people and draws them closer together. And the last and most important factor is, I think, my closeness and my friendship with the leader of the Turkmen people, President Saparmyrat Atayevich [Niyazov] of Turkmenistan. I think that this last factor plays a great role in the mutual understanding between the people of our countries and the warmth which we feel today in this hospitable land of Turkmenistan. Concerning the goals of our visit, and those documents which we are going to sign today, I want to say clearly, that is, I want to thank those experts and those top officials who have worked on these documents. The question of determining the border lines dividing the two states has always been a sore one and is not a simple one, rather it is very delicate one and sometimes this issue can grow into a serious problem, where sometimes emotions or artificially created problems may give rise to prolonged disputes and turn this matter into a tug-of-war. Gladly, I have to say that no such phenomena occurred whilst the documents we are signing today were being drawn up. This is further evidence that Turkmen and Uzbeks have indeed lived, are living now and will continue to live using the resources of this land, common land for our people. There were virtually no disputes, though in individual cases there are some villages where it was difficult to draw border lines between them or even within these villages. The process of drawing up these documents showed that there is nothing to be divided between us. I stress this because there are some villages and residential areas where it is difficult to determine on which side of the border they are located, for the border line runs through the village itself. Nevertheless, despite the awkward-ness of the issue we had no unresolved problems. I would like to take this opportunity to say that our other neighbours should follow suit when we work with them, as we are already doing, on the issue of borders, in order not to create artificial problems and to tackle issues proceeding from the realities of the present day. And the most important thing is respect for each other. We should respect Turkmen's interests and Turkmen should respect the interests of Uzbekistan. [Correspondent] During a news conference the presidents spoke about the results of the talks, the documents signed and their significance, and answered journalists' questions. [Unidentified Russian correspondent] Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have different approaches to the Afghan problem. Islam Abduganiyevich [Karimov], were you able to find common points of con-tact? [Karimov] The Afghan problem, above all, stands out by virtue of the fact that for 20 years now there has been war in Afgthanistan. [Passage omitted: background to the Afghan war, both Turkme-nistan and Uzbekistan want peace in Afghanistan but they have different views on tackling this problem] We welcome attempts to find common points of contact between the warring sides. These are not a source of vexation to me at all. I repeat, they do not gall me at all. For goodness sake, any method of resolving the Afghan problem suits Uzbekistan absolutely. During the preparations for the farewell ceremony for the high-ranking guest [President Karimov] at the airport [on 22nd September], a group of journalists interviewed Islam Karimov. In his reply to a Russian correspondent's question about major approaches in the world in tackling the Afghan problem, our president said, amongst other things: [Karimov in Russian] When speaking about the Afghan problem, I would like you, Arkadiy [Bubnov, regional correspondent of Russian Public TV "Vremya" news], to note the transformation which is taking place in the world as regards seeking way for resolving the Afghan problem. I shall not now speak of what clear and unclear, underground and not underground negotiating processes are under way, what elements of softening of some rigid stance exist in regard to the Taleban; and in principle, I think that only recently there was a more rigid stance in regard precisely to the Taleban movement. Today I should definitely say that on the whole, you ask about our relations between the two countries, two governments, I want to summarize, to widen this issue a little, and to say that processes are under way, as Gorbachev used to say, that is, things are changing a bit in the United States today, they are changing in Europe, in France, you know, there some shifts, in China there are individual shifts, I shall not list any more, let alone in Japan, that is why it is natural that we, both Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, I want to talk here about Uzbekistan, cannot fail to consider these shifts, these transformational processes namely in settling the Afghan problem. If I limit myself to this, then it would perhaps be too little, Wouldn't it? But I can say more, namely that I incline to the idea that if the big states, the great powers which in general define this common stance, some, I would say, around which separate blocs are formed, separate group of states which control these vectors - [changes tack] I should say that since the Russian-US joint commission on settling the Afghan problem was set up there have also been shifts under way and, unfortunately, we know little about what issues are being discussed, what changes, or advances in these issueshave been made, but nonetheless all this is to certify one thing, namely that I think that the process started today and should perforce yield results. During my recent speech - [changes tack] Arkadiy, I want to tell you about it separately. Then I was sitting at the UN and before me the Afghan president, Mr [President of the Islamic State of Afghanistan Borhanoddin] Rabbani, was speaking, so I paid attention to his speech, and afterwards I even t | |||