ino Arlacchi, UN under-secretary general, UNDCCP Chairman:

"Although the "cold war" policy is over, today, at the threshold of a new century of regional conflicts, international terrorism and organized crime are becoming a great threat determining the fate of mankind. I feel this more especially when I arrive in Central Asia.

"In fact, the continuing conflict in Afghanistan poses a threat not only to the neighbouring countries, but to general security as well. The fact that 75 per cent of all narcotic substances are produced in Afghanistan and the majority of them are circulated in Europe is an incomparable disaster. It is a real danger today that the poison occupies a place on the European market instead of the development of relations between East and West.

"Therefore, we are already taking steps within our programme of technical aid to Central Asian states. We will also render assistance to the frontier troops and law-enforcement agencies of the countries of the region in their fight against the trafficking of drugs produced in Afghanistan. We are also ready to cooperate within the 6+2 group formed on the initiative of Uzbekistan."

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, OSCE chairwoman in office, Austrian Foreign Minister:

"I remember well that at OSCE summit in Istanbul, Islam Karimov was the first to speak. On that occasion the leader of Uzbekistan expressed forward-looking ideas and proposals and spoke with inner pain and concern about international terrorism and religious extremism, which were becoming more aggressive every day.

"These fears were not groundless, as these particular evils are hampering the development of the entire world and mankind. We can see that this situation also creates various difficulties for the Central Asian states just starting out on the road of development.

"In view of this, we are becoming more active in forming an OSCE regional security system. In addition, our organization is planning to coordinate the efforts of the Central Asian states in their fight against the illegal trade of narcotic substances and international terrorism.

"The present forum in your capital [Tashkent] is also an important step taken in this direction. As you can see, participants from 67 countries and 44 international organizations are making clear and concrete proposals at the forum. A plan of actions for the future is under development.

"I believe all the issues to be considered during the forum will demonstrate once again that all the problems mentioned above are a dangerous threat of global importance."

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he route geography of Uzbekistan Airways is expanding. Another route, from Uzbekistan to Luxembourg, is to be added to the list. This will open up a splendid opportunity to fly cargo and passengers via Luxembourg, situated in the heart of Europe, to the USA and Canada.

A ceremony at which a memorandum of mutual understanding was signed and an intergovernment agreement on air travel between Uzbekistan and Luxembourg was initialled has taken place at Uzbekistan Airways. Luxembourg was represented by the Cargolux air company.

[Charles Klein, the attache of the government of Luxembourg and director of a department at the Ministry of Transport] "We made a thorough study of the possibilities of Uzbekistan Airways and the technical equipment at Tashkent airport. We came to the conclusion that we had solid partners in front of us. This cooperation will open up for us good prospects for access to Southeast Asia."

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x-Soviet Central Asia is on the verge of becoming a key meeting point for terrorism and narcotics trafficking, with drug money funding more violence in an already volatile area, a conference heard this week. The vast oil-rich region, home to 50 million people, is being sucked into a zone of violence and poverty, from Kashmir in India to Afghanistan and the Fergana Valley, experts warned at a conference in Uzbekistan on terrorism and drugs.

"The trafficking of narcotics and the other criminal and terrorist activity it fuels pose a corrosive challenge to the governments in the region," U.N. Under-Secretary General Pino Arlacchi told delegates in the Uzbek capital Tashkent.

"If criminal groups prevail, aided and abetted by drug trafficking and resorting to terrorism as a business tactic, then human development becomes impossible," he said.

"Terrorism and drug trafficking is the worst combination." The region is the main conduit to Europe for drugs smuggled from Afghanistan, source of 75 percent of the world's opium.

Countries in the region -- all of which have been ruled since independence by long-serving, secularist ex-Soviet Communist bosses -- have faced uprisings from Islamic groups they say are linked to Afghanistan's ruling Taleban militia. In August, militants invaded Uzbekistan and neighbouring Kyrgyzstan.

Uzbek Foreign Minister Adulaziz Kamilov told the conference: "It is becoming clear one of the aims behind the invasions was to create drug corridors and maintain political instability as a key condition for successful narcotics business." But critics say regional governments have made the situation worse by clamping down on dissent.

"Lack of democracy or respect for human rights and economic problems have created an environment in which conflicts thrive," said Barnett Rubin, head of New York University's Center on International Cooperation. "This political action is likely funded by drug money."

Rubin said the world had relied too long on sanctions and threats against the Taleban, rather than investing to create alternative livelihood opportunities for Afghanistan's impoverished opium poppy farmers. Kazakh Foreign Minister Yerlan Idrisov said a more urgent approach was needed to address unrest in Afghanistan.

"It is difficult to understand the international community, which has so far largely ignored this problem," he said.

The United Nations' Arlacchi added: "If we do not convert the last 10 years of talk into concerted action we may find that the price to pay later is a much higher one." (Reuters, October 20)

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aliban and Uzbekistan have agreed to exchange high level delegations, a spokesman of the Taliban embassy in Islamabad said on Thursday.

He said consensus to this effect was evolved at a meeting, third of its nature during the past fortnight, between Taliban envoy Mulla Abdul Salam Zaeef and the Uzbek ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Shohrat Qabelov.

"They agreed that the Foreign Ministers and Deputy Foreign Ministers of both sides should visit each other," the spokesman added.

Both sides started contacts when Uzbek President, Islam Karimov, taking a U-turn on his previous stand, said last month that his country no more considered Taliban as a threat to Central Asia. Mulla Zaeef also handed over a message of the Chairman of Taliban' ruling Council, Mulla Mohammad Rabbani to the Uzbek Ambassador for President Karimov.

"In his letter, Mulla Rabbani explained Taliban's position, saying they did not intend to interfere in the internal affairs of neighboring countries," the Taliban spokesman said. He added that Mulla Zaeef also held a meeting with the Ambassador of China in Pakistan, discussing with him matters of bilateral interests. (IRNA, October 19)

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ohir Abdukhalilovich Yoldosh (Muhammad Tohir Farukh, [nicknamed] "Bay" ["Rich"])

A native of Namangan Region in [eastern] Uzbekistan, born in 1968 (2nd October).

Information on this Islamic leader is extremely scrappy and scant. But we have information that in the late 1980s Yoldosh was connected with a Mujadidi-Husayni religious school of [a founder of Sufi Islam in the 14th century, Bakhauddin] Naqshbandi's Sufi [Sufi, an adherent of any Muslim mystic order and teaching which emphasizes direct personal experience of God]. Moreover, there is also information that Yoldosh studied for some time under the supervision of one of the most prominent authorities of this Sufi school in the Fergana valley, Hazrat Ishan [religious title] Ibraim from Kokand.

In the late 1980s and very early 1990s, Yoldosh came under the strong influence of Umarkhon Qori [religious title, a person who can cite the Koran from memory] Namangani, the former Qazi [cadi, a judge in a Muslim community] of Namangan city in Fergana valley (subsequently arrested by the Uzbek special services). Yoldosh became the leader of an Islamic movement of Namangan called Adolat Uyushmasi (Society of Justice) in 1991. He took an active part in the setting up of a more extremist Islamic organization, Islom Lashkarlari (Forces of Islam, Namangan), approximately at the same period. Apart from this, Yoldosh was also a founder of the Tovba (Tauba) [Repentance] Islamic militant organization in the town of Namangan, within which he established a close relationship with J. [Jumaboy Namangoni] Khojiyev.

In 1996, he became the political leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU). He established broad relations with many Islamic organizations as the IMU's political leader and was also engaged in raising funds for the Uzbek Islamic opposition. He visited most often Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates within the framework of his international activity.

Yoldosh was one of the main organizers of a coup attempt in Uzbekistan in February 1999 (he was in Tehran during the terrorist acts in Tashkent).

In late 1999 and early 2000, Yoldosh started to work actively to unite all forces in opposition to [Uzbek President] Islam Karimov. He is currently on the territory of Afghanistan under the protection of the Taleban leadership.

He keeps in close touch with many active members of various regional and international Islamic organizations. Three of Tohir Yoldosh's brothers: Madamin, Muhammad and Zohidjon were arrested by the Uzbek special services in 1997. (Kyrgyz newspaper `Argument')

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n international conference on strengthening security and stability in Central Asia and jointly fight against drugs, organized crime and terrorism finished its work at the Intercontinental Hotel in Tashkent today.

Representatives from 67 countries and 44 international organizations attended the conference. Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov was elected the chairman of the above conference. The OSCE chairwoman, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner opened the conference. She expressed her support for the Uzbek leadership's struggle against international terrorism, religious extremism and organized crime, and said that the above maladies were barriers to mankind's development.

Under Secretary-General of the United Nations Pino Arlacchi also took the floor and said that 75 per cent of the world's drugs were produced in Afghanistan and most of them were reaching Europe. Which, he said, was an incomparable disaster.

The United Nations expressed its readiness to cooperate in a comprehensive way within the framework of the six-plus-two group [Uzbekistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, China, plus Russia and the USA], which was set up under Uzbekistan's initiative.

The foreign ministers of the five Central Asian republics [of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan] are also attending the conference. Speaking about narcotics' negative impact on the region, the Uzbek foreign minister, amongst other things, said:

[Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov] People sitting here know well that hundreds of millions, billions of dollars are being received in Europe and North America from the sale of Afghan drugs which are being used to implement the plans of international criminal organizations. According to the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, a total of 3,275 tonnes of raw opium was produced in Afghanistan this year, which was further processed into about 327 t of heroin. The export of this "commodity" from Afghanistan, quite obviously, means poisoning the lives of millions of drug addicts, as a rule, in rich and developed countries in Europe, North America and in other regions of the world, and [means] the suffering of the families and relatives of the above people. (Uzbek Radio, October 20)

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he United Nations is working out a new strategy for dealing with Afghanistan, UN Under Secretary-General Pino Arlacchi said at a Thursday [19th October] news conference in [the Uzbek capital] Tashkent.

While in Tashkent, Arlacchi is taking part in an international conference on security and stability in Central Asia, as well as efforts against drugs, organized crime and terrorism. The conference was organized by the UN Office for Drug Control together with the OSCE and is being attended by representatives of 76 countries and 44 international organizations.

Arlacchi said returns from the illegal drug trade in Afghanistan used to come to somewhere in the neighbourhood of $230m, but according to expert estimates they are expected to fall to $90m this year due to a drop in prices for the drugs.

As an example of successful assistance, Arlacchi noted the cooperation between the Tajik Drug Control Agency and the Russian troops deployed in Tajikistan, who have blocked the northern drug transit route.

He also said that "sufficient" information has been accumulated concerning drug trafficking. "We have a detailed map of where the drugs are grown, produced and the exact routes along which they are transported," he said. (Russian news agency Interfax, October 19)

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he president of Turkey [Ahmet Necdet Sezer] is making a tour of the Central Asian countries. On Monday [16th October] he arrived in Tashkent, yesterday [17th October], in Ashkhabad and today he heads for Bishkek. The purpose of the visit is to restore Turkey's influence in Central Asia that it had just three years ago. This is not to be counted on as yet, though the Turkish leader was accorded a cool reception in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Turkey's relations with the Turkic-speaking states of Central Asia are shaping up in a complex fashion. The enthusiastic friendship at the start of the 1990s has been replaced by wariness. Turkish-Uzbek relations are a graphic example. Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the former Soviet republics, and the leadership of Uzbekistan even spoke openly of its intention to introduce in the country the Turkish economic model.

But following the explosions in the centre of Tashkent in February 1999, it was suddenly learnt that leaders of the Uzbek opposition had found refuge in Turkey and that lectures to Uzbek students sent for schooling in Ankara and Istanbul were being delivered by people close to the emigre circles, and the teachers at the Turkish lycees that had been opened in many Uzbek cities had a better grasp of politics, than arithmetic. The lycees were closed therefore and the students recalled, and Turkey's image in the eyes of the Tashkent authorities was tarnished considerably.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem paid a visit to Tashkent at the start of October described by Turkish diplomats as a "breach of the blockade". The main driving force of the revival of relations were essentially the arms trade and Uzbekistan's desire to bring its armaments in line with those of NATO. It is for this that the past grievances may be forgotten.

In addition, both countries have an interest in stabilizing the situation around Afghanistan. They recognize the need for a dialogue with the Taleban. And although the Turkish and Uzbek presidents, Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Islam Karimov, in breach of the tradition did not hold a concluding news conference, it is clear that the Afghan topic was one of the most important ones at the negotiations.

The Afghan problem was also aired at the Turkish president's talks in Ashkhabad. And whereas some correctness on the part of Uzbekistan towards the Taleban regime is something that is relatively new, Turkmen President Saparmyrat Niyazov has long been known for his neutrality in respect to the events in Afghanistan, which has unequivocally been interpreted as a sign of goodwill towards the Taleban.

But in Ashkhabad President Sezer's visit also failed to acquire the form of specific bilateral documents. And the reason here is not political, but rather economic. The contradictions between the countries interested in a trans-Caspian pipeline are all too complex. At the end of the summer the Shell company, which has the lion's share in the consortium for its construction, warned Turkmenistan that if it really wanted to run the pipeline, it needed to act quickly. Otherwise Turkey would be taking gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field. (Russian newspaper 'Kommersant', October 18)

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he formation of the Eurasian Economic Community by Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan has prompted a sharply negative response from the leaders of CIS states which are not part of the new organization. In particular, the prospect of the existence of a Eurasian regional association has agitated the presidents of Uzbekistan and Ukraine, who devoted quite a lot of time to the subject of the Eurasian Economic Community during their talks in Tashkent. Islam Karimov described it as a "stillborn child", while Leonid Kuchma said it was a "time bomb under the CIS". The explanation the presidents gave for their stand is that the Customs Union, on which the new economic association is based, has shown itself to be an organization that can only create new problems. Mr Karimov even explained what would need to be done in order to avoid this: To form a single economic union, you first have to create a free trade zone.

Leonid Kuchma developed this idea, working on the basis of historical analogy: It took 50 years to form the European Union, and all the countries went through the first stage of creating a free trade zone.

Another subject of the talks between the presidents of Uzbekistan and Ukraine also has direct bearing on their partners in the CIS, as it concerns security problems. Unlike the majority of CIS capitals, echoes of the conflict in Afghanistan have not yet reached Kiev, but Leonid Kuchma "decisively" supported the actions of Tashkent and of Islam Karimov personally, which aim to combat international terrorism. The Uzbek president himself traditionally did not conceal his respectful attitude to the Taleban. He said that, whoever gains power in Kabul, a settlement must be achieved by peaceful means. It remains unclear how this can be done, considering the present events in Afghanistan. Admittedly, during a recent meeting with his Turkmen colleague, Mr Karimov proposed forcing the mojahedin to lay down their arms in exchange for the implementation of economic projects in Afghan territory.

It is not known whether the Uzbek president suggested that Kiev take part in similar projects. It has only been reported that Karimov proposed that Ukrainian businessmen begin developing and exploiting new oil and gas fields in Uzbek territory, promising them favourable terms. (Russian newspaper 'Nezavisimaya Gazeta', October 14)

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resident Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan received the deputy UN secretary-general, UNDCP Chairman Pino Arlacchi, October 19. The Uzbek head of state thanked Mr Pino Arlacchi for his visit to Uzbekistan and stressed that the international conference which opened in Tashkent today under UN auspices was apposite. He said that the Uzbek government supported a widescale fight against drug addiction, which had become the problem of the millenium.

The deputy UN secretary-general, Pino Arlacchi, also highly praised the Uzbek government's policy in this direction. Views were exchanged at the meeting on the situation in the region and on the joint fight against drugs.

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zbek President Islam Karimov held talks with the current OSCE chairwoman, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, in Tashkent on Thursday, on measures to counter drug offences and terrorism, Uzbek radio reported.

"The head of our state sincerely welcomed the guest and highly assessed OSCE's role in Central Asia, the organization's efforts in preserving peace, fighting drug addiction, religious extremism and terrorism, and Ms Benita-Maria Ferrero-Waldner's personal efforts in this direction," the radio said.

Ferrero-Waldner thanked Karimov for her reception and said she would "make her contribution to further strengthening cooperation ties in fighting terrorism and drug addiction in Central Asia", according to the radio.

The radio said other issues on reinforcing mutual cooperation between Uzbekistan and the OSCE were discussed in the meeting.

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fficial Tashkent is maintaining its contacts with the leaders of the Taleban movement in Afghanistan, Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov said at a Wednesday [18th October] news conference in Tashkent.

"Peace in Afghanistan is extremely important to Uzbekistan, so we will do our best to promote the start of a peace process in that country," Komilov said. "All our neighbours have similar contacts," he said. Talks with the Taleban movement are aimed at making the movement aware of Uzbekistan's intention to live in peace with Afghanistan, Komilov said, and the two sides have confirmed that they will not interfere in each other's affairs.

"Our meetings with the Taleban have been held between border guard commissars as well as on the ambassadorial level," the foreign minister said. The Afghan people must "themselves, without interference by outside forces, determine their future and Uzbekistan is prepared to cooperate with those authorities that come into power legally," he said.

Komilov declined to comment the recent successes of the anti- Taleban Northern Alliance, saying only that "this has already happened not just once".

Taleban officials have asked Uzbekistan to open a bridge on the Amu-Darya border river, Komilov said. "Uzbekistan is prepared to do so provided that peace and stability are assured and Afghanistan poses no threat, in particular from terrorists who have taken refuge there," he said. (Russian news agency Interfax, October 18)

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he People's Democratic Party (PDP) of Uzbekistan was among the first to be formed after Uzbekistan had gained its independence. In this sense, it is considered a real fruit of independence. Within a short period of time, the PDP has turned into the largest and most popular political party. The secretary of the PDP Central Council, Asliddin Rustamov, told a Turkiston-press correspondent about the party's place in Uzbekistan's political arena and the prospects for its development.

[Q] Asliddin aka [term of respect], will you tell us more about the aims and tasks of the People's Democratic party?

[A] The aims and tasks of our political organization are reflected in its programme and charter and other major documents. Our party's political status is determined by its eagerness to achieve a modern political and state structure, based on the principles of political and economic freedom that are developing in Uzbekistan, democracy and primacy of the law, equality and social justice.

The objective of the People's Democratic Party, according to our party programme, is to create equal opportunities for every family and working person, irrespective of their nationality, religion, faith, social status and origin, to lead a materially and spiritually good life, to guarantee people's constitutional rights and human freedoms and to reliably protect their honour and dignity and peaceful way of life.

In the field of politics, it is a major question for us to try to further deepen the current democratic transformations. The main goal is to bring about a situation in which the influential state potential is supported by active citizens observing the law and taking part in state and social management through the various institutions of a civil society.

In the economic sphere, our party is in favour of achieving a level of economic freedom matching the standards adopted in the developed countries. This means freedom of the economy from ideological dogmas and from social Utopia, freedom of producers from arbitrary administrative practices and direct interference by government bodies, equality of all forms of ownership, and the freedom of initiative, enterprise and competition.

In the field of social policy, it is a central aim in our work to bring about the practical realization of our citizens' right to achieve the standard of living set out in the universal Declaration of Human Rights, which provides for a good standard of living and health for the citizens, including their [supply with] food, clothing, housing, medical care and social services.

In the field of the spiritual renewal of society, it is most important for us to observe moral norms and rules of behaviour that embrace striving for such universal human values as freedom, equality, humanity, respect for the elderly, a willingness to trust young people, honesty, uprightness, justice and goodness, as well as the centuries-old traditions of the Oriental peoples.

We also regard it as a significant task of nationwide importance to unite all the members of society and all its citizens into a single nation, to develop and strengthen stability, peace and an atmosphere of civil and human accord and to prevent such evils as terrorism and religious extremism.

On the basis of these principles, the People's Democratic party has tabled an initiative to unite the country's sociopolitical forces in the fight against international terrorism and religious extremism. The initiative has been supported by all political parties and leading public organizations within the country. As a result, a joint action programme was adopted by the country's political parties and NGOs on 12th September for the fight against international terrorism and religious extremism, entitled "Uzbekistan is our Common Home".

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zbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov announced on Wednesday that Uzbekistan was ready to open the border with Afghanistan and forge friendly ties with the Taleban authorities if the security situation in that country stabilized.

But he warned the border remain shut if any forces inside Afghanistan threatened Uzbekistan's domestic affairs.

"The issue of opening the border, notably the bridge over the Amudarya River which has always been the main link between Central Asia and Afghanistan, has been raised on several occasions by the Afghan side, Komilov told a news conference in Tashkent, broadcast by Uzbek radio.

"We have also issued a statement more than once that, if the situation in Afghanistan stabilizes and that country strictly observes the principle of noninterference in [Uzbekistan's] domestic affairs, and if they do not create some kind of problems for us on the border, and if there is no threat not only from the Afghans themselves, but certain mercenaries from Central Asia who have been holed up there and set up their own bases and who have been attempting to undermine our stability from Afghan territory - if all these are removed unconditionally - we are ready to open the bridge as well as trade with them, and are ready to deal with the traditionally kind and friendly neighbour which Afghanistan had been until the Soviet forces invaded this country in 1979."

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he Uzbek Prosecutor General's office has completed its investigation into the recent cases of Islamic rebel insurgency on Uzbek territory and identified the leaders of the banned group held responsible, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, 'Khalq Sozi' newspaper reported on Wednesday.

It said the investigation covered the militants' activities this year in the Uzun and Saryassiya Districts in southern Uzbekistan's Surkhandarya Region, in the Bostanlyk District of Tashkent Region and the February 1999 bomb blasts in Tashkent itself.

The report said that "criminal and subversive activities carried out in various parts of the republic between 1991 and 2000 had been committed under the leadership of the leaders of banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Salay Madaminov, known as Mohammad Solih, Jumaboy Khojiyev, known as Juma Namangoniy and Tohir Yolshoshev, known as Tohir Yoldosh, currently hiding abroad".

"Under the mask of Islam they set up several religious extremist organizations and established contacts with international religious-extremist organizations," the paper said. Tohir Yoldosh and Jumaboy Khojiyev fled into Tajikistan in 1992, "where they took part in combat operations against the Tajik government forces".

Seeking to set up an Islamic caliphate, they forged contacts with Saudi dissident Usamah Bin Laden and Chechen field commander Khattab, the report went on.

"As a result of 17 attacks committed in Namangan Region by an armed group set up by Tohir Yoldosh and his supporters, eight people were killed, 24 received injuries of various degrees. The victims lost goods worth over 3,891m soms.

"Armed groups consisting of Tohir Yoldosh and his accomplices committed robbery attacks against 12 families in Andizhan Region, as a result of which seven people were killed and 19 received injuries of various degrees," the report said.

"Documents and evidence gathered as a result of urgent operations have proved that 19 murders and 35 assaults carried out between 1991 and 1999 in Tashkent, Samarkand and Khorezm Regions, bomb explosions carried out in February 1999 in the city of Tashkent, subversive activities in November of 1999 in Yangiabad, in July and August of this year in Surkhandarya and Tashkent Regions were committed by armed groups under the leadership of Tohir Yoldoshev, Juma Khojiyev and Salay Madaminov," the paper said.

The report went on to say that the leaders of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan - Tohir Yoldoshev, Jumaboy Khojiyev and Salay Madaminov - and those who directly carried out bomb explosions in Tashkent, and other members of the group detained during combat operations in Surkhandarya and Tashkent Regions' mountainous areas, were charged under the republic's Criminal Code.

The court verdict was submitted to the republic's Supreme Court for consideration on 10th October this year, the report said. During investigation over 15,000 witnesses and victims were questioned, more than 2,000 expert examinations were made, the report said.

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n international conference in [the Uzbek capital] Tashkent today will examine issues of strengthening security and stability in Central Asia. Delegates from 70 countries and 44 international organizations will be taking part in its work. The forum is being held under the auspices of the UN and the OSCE. (Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, October 19)

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amangan Region's law-enforcement agencies in eastern Uzbekistan have been doing a great deal to make people more vigilant. In an interview published in the Regional newspaper, 'Namanganskaya Pravda', on 7th October, the deputy head of the Region's police directorate, named as police Lt-Col U. Mashrapov, said: "This year, we have uncovered and registered 544 supporters of religious extremist tendencies. The criminal deeds of 170 people directed against the constitution have been widely discussed at their places of residence."

"The leadership and experts of the law-enforcement agencies have organized meetings at all 722 neighbourhoods, 200 enterprises and 723 educational establishments in the Region. The meetings draw people's attention to the need for the public to remain vigilant," the report added.

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e have written before about the agreement signed in Dushanbe between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan on the visa regime. The introduction of the regime has been postponed several times. It has been indefinitely postponed again. However, we will not speak about this subject now.

The document's aim is to control the movement of the two countries' citizens in adjoining areas. That is how the initiator of the agreement, Uzbekistan, explains it. This means that a citizen from either of the two countries will have to pay four dollars so that the authorities can monitor his movements so that he does not commit any offence in the neighbouring country.

Moreover, a resident of Khujand [centre of the northern Leninobod Region in Tajikistan] will have to go to Dushanbe [capital of Tajikistan] (80 dollars return) in order to get a visa at the Uzbek embassy to enter Uzbekistan. It would be cheaper to buy a flat in Qayroqqum [in Leninobod Region, bordering on Uzbekistan] and to be registered there (residents of Qayroqqum may stay in Uzbekistan without a visa for five days).

The document is unique in that it gives privileges to one-third of the inhabitants of both countries. In order to avoid other people's feeling offended, one could sign agreements on a non-visa regime for them with other countries. Let us say, with France for citizens of Tajikistan, taking into account the fact that our country's president, Emomali Rahmonov, received the credentials of the ambassador of France to Tajikistan, Claude Blanchemaison, in Dushanbe on 5th October 2000, as well as bearing in mind the interest shown by France in Tajikistan.

Certain media reports say that the Uzbek leadership is seeking talks with the Taleban in Afghanistan. They may come to an agreement on this subject [i.e. of visa-free entry] with the Afghans. If they want to be original, they may as well go the whole hog.

In the meantime, the rest of the world will be amazed at the oddness of an agreement signed between two countries that are scarcely noticeable on the map. (Tajik newspaper 'Leninabadskaya Pravda')

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zbekistan will reopen its border with Afghanistan if it gets assurances the Taliban will pose no threat to the former Russian territory, Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov told United Press International Wednesday.

The foreign minister said Uzebkistan demands include: stabilization of the political situation in Afghanistan; strict observance of principle of non-intervention in domestic affairs; absence of problems on the border; and absence of threat emanating from Aghanistan and emigrants from Central Asia who "entrenched themselves there, established bases" and have tried to shatter quiet and stability of Uzbekistan.

If Afghanistan can meet these conditions, Uzbekistan is ready to open the bridge across the Amu Darya River, allow trade, and deal with "our traditionally good and friendly neighbor, which Afghanistan was before 1979, before incursion of the Soviet troops into this country," Komilov said.

The Taliban earlier this month asked the Uzbek side to reopen the Uzbek-Afghan border. Iranian Radio reported in early October that the Taliban envoy in Pakistan said reopening of the Afghan-Uzbek border would improve relations between the two countries. The Taliban ambassador met with the Uzbek ambassador in Islamabad.

Russia has troops in Tajikistan, but Komilov said Uzbekistan did not intend to participate in any regional force to struggle against terrorism and extremism in the region. He said that appearance of a handful of bandits, a small group of terrorists is not a cause for creation of military-political blocs in the region.

During recent talks in Bishkek, the heads of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Russia, Belarus and Armenia signed an agreement to set up a collective security system for 2001-2005. Russian commentators said that the Collective Security Treaty was essentially a Eurasian military bloc, and emphasized that the newly formed organization was a force aimed against the Taliban.

Iran Radio reported analysts emphasized that, despite a lengthy postponement, Russia had strengthened its position in central Asia policy. Starting from the east Russia, has direct political, military and economic influence through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which border Afghanistan. Russia also is strong in the Caucasus and Armenia. At the same time Russia has friendly political relations with Iran and India. All these factors indicate that a new union is being formed in the areas of Asia and Europe with the participation of states who have close interests.

On Monday in Tashkent, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Uzbek President Islam Karimov signed a declaration on cooperation to struggle against terrorism, drugs smuggling and organized crime. Sezer said Turkey, which had suffered from terrorism, perfectly understood the situation, in which Uzbekistan and other countries of Central Asia had found themselves. He said Turkey intends to cooperate "very closely" with Uzbekistan in this field.

Uzbekistan and Turkey also signed an agreement on military and military and technical cooperation. (UPI, October 18)

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Cabinet of Ministers resolution "On additional measures to attract foreign investment in setting up joint ventures [JVs]" has approved proposals for setting up enterprises with foreign partners in the Regions in 2001-2005, which were made by the Ministry of Macroeconomics and Statistics, the Department for Government Investment Programmes, the Council of Ministers of Karakalpakstan, and the administrations of the Regions and the city of Tashkent.

Appendices to the government resolution set specific proposals for every Region on the number and type of such joint ventures. Over the five years, it is planned to establish a total of 343 JVs all over the republic. The largest number - 39 enterprises with foreign investment - are to be set up in Fergana Region, 37 in Kashkadarya Region, 34 in Andizhan Region and 33 each in Karakalpakstan and Samarkand Region. More than 20 enterprises with foreign capital are expected to be set up in Bukhara, Dzhizak, Namangan and other Regions.

Proposals on their establishment were made directly to the local administrations by businessmen, joint-stock companies, corporations, private firms and small enterprises, which themselves decided on the suggested sphere of activities of these JVs. They will mainly produce tomato paste, yarn, leatherwear, clothes, confectionery, ceramic items, medical cotton wool, silk thread, dairy products, household electric meters, special electrodes, bricks, rock wool and polythene tubes, besides processing marble and granite, vegetables and many other things.

The resolution says that, starting from the time of their formation, production enterprises involving foreign investment in rural areas are exempt from profits tax for a three-year period. When that term expires, the income tax rate for these JVs is set at 50 per cent of the operative rate for a further two years.

The adoption of the present resolution is intended to further stimulate the attraction of foreign investment in the creation of export-orientated enterprises in the country's Regions.

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meeting has taken place to review the working of the [Uzbek] Cabinet of Minister's denationalization and privatization bodies during the first nine months of 2000. It was chaired by Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister and State Property Committee chairman O. [Oktam] Ismoilov, and dealt with the training of more competent specialist staff for the bodies in question, raising their efficiency to suit modern requirements, and involving more young and dynamic specialists in the system.

As is known, serious attention is currently being paid to the recruitment of college graduates and those who studied in advanced foreign countries under the Umid [state-funded] scholarship programme, and to the enterprises and organizations controlled by these bodies. The meeting criticized a number of their sectors for adopting a superficial attitude to the issue. This indicates that the heads of these organizations are dealing superficially with the issue of educating, training and giving responsible posts to young specialist personnel.

The meeting also thoroughly discussed developing the securities market and stepping up the attraction of investment in local firms and organizations. (Uzbek newspaper 'Khalq Sozi')

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he commission for realizing the social and economic policies of the party:

Function: Working out a mechanism for carrying out the party's socioeconomic policies and finding ways of implementing them on the basis of the programme of the Fidokorlar National Democratic party. Working out a mechanism for implementing the party slogan that "reform is not for the sake of reform but for the sake of people". Carrying out practical undertakings within the country to support entrepreneurship.

Commission chairman: Nematilla Ibrohimov, secretary of the Central Council of the Fidokorlar National Democratic party.

Commission secretary: Habibulla Olimjonov, deputy editor-in-chief of the newspaper 'Fidokor'.

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he ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mola Abdol Salam Zaif, met the ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Shuhrat Qabilov, in Islamabad today [18th October].

Bakhtar Information Agency reported from Islamabad that during the meeting the Uzbek ambassador promised to deliver a message from the chairman of the the Council of Ministers of the Islamic Emirate, Mola Mohammad Rabbani, to Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

He said that Uzbekistan sought friendly relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and did not want any conflict to exist on the borders between the two countries.

He also said Uzbekistan hoped that peace would be established all over Afghanistan. Afterwards Zaif spoke on the issues of peace and stability in the region and about the peaceful policy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and peaceful coexistence with neighbouring countries.

He added that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan hoped to strengthen and expand friendly relations with Uzbekistan and that these relations are in the interests of both countries and the expansion of economic ties between our countries has a great and important role. (Afghan Taleban Radio, October 18)

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reaty between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan on delimitation of the state border

Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan, hereinafter referred to as the high contracting parties,

[acting] in a spirit of friendship and good neighbourliness, mutual respect and equality,

embracing the principles of respect for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of the border between the two states, mutual understanding and non-interference in each other's affairs,

proceeding from the terms of the treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan and the agreement between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan on cooperation to protect the state borders, signed in the town of Chardzhou [renamed Turkmenabat, eastern Turkmenistan] on 16th January 1996,

recognizing the inalienable right of all sovereign states to take the necessary steps to reliably protect their state borders,

taking into account the need to maintain the international legal regime on the common border so as to provide the border, customs, health and other universally accepted forms of control,

have agreed on following:

Article 1
The high contracting parties confirm that they have no territorial claim against each other, and all issues relating to the line of the state border between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan have been settled.

The high contracting parties affirm that the state border of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan from now on and forever shall be a border of peace and accord between the states of two fraternal peoples.

Article 2
The high contracting parties approve in full and completely the documents of the joint Turkmen-Uzbek intergovernmental commission on delimitation and demarcation of the state border, verified and compiled in August-September 2000, concerning the description of the state border between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Article 3.
The high contracting parties confirm that the line of the state border between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan is positioned in full accordance with the description and the topographical charts of the line of the state border between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan (appendices No 1 and 2), which form an integral part of this treaty.

Article 4
The high contracting parties appoint the joint Turkmen-Uzbek intergovernmental commission on delimitation and demarcation to start talks on demarcation of the state border between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan with further description of certain sectors in areas of intensive farming and cultivation zones.

Article 5
Any issue relating to commenting on, or use of, the terms of this treaty shall be settled through consultations and talks between the high contracting parties.

Article 6
This treaty shall be used on the day it is signed, is subject to ratification and shall come into force on the day on which the instruments of ratification are exchanged.

This treaty has no term of expiry.

Done in the city of Ashgabat on 21st September 2000 in two original copies, each in Turkmen, Uzbek and Russian, with all texts being authentic and of equal validity.

The text in Russian shall be used for comments on the stipulations of the present treaty.

On behalf of Turkmenistan:
President Saparmyrat Niyazov of Turkmenistan

On behalf of Uzbekistan
President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan.

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apan confirmed their role as favourites to win a second Asian Cup annihilating the 1994 Asian Games champions Uzbekistan in the Group C match by a record 8-1 scoreline.

Hat-tricks from Akinori Nishizawa - who also missed a penalty - and young strike partner Naohiro Takahara plus one apiece from Hiroaki Morishima and Hideaki Kitajima gave the 1992 Asian Cup champions their second successive romp following the 4-1 defeat of Saudi Arabia - also a record win - on Saturday. Their French coach Philippe 'the white witch doctor' Troussier talked about trying to find a magic potion for motivating his players on Monday and it appears that somebody delivered it to him early on Tuesday morning.

The Japanese, whose squad is largely made up of the team who played so creditably at the Olympics going out on penalties to the USA in the quarter-finals, turned in an almost flawless performance outclassing a hugely disappointing Uzbek side who were regarded as one of the dark horses for the trophy.

Hiroaki Morisihima started the rout off just three minutes after Nishizawa had missed his penalty when he shot into an unguarded net after Shunsuke Nakamura had his shot blocked. From then on it was the Nishizawa and Takahara show as the latter's low cross set up his partner for the second goal. Takahara got off the mark with a header in the 18th minute and added his second - Japan's fourth - speeding onto Toshihro Hattori's perceptive long ball and lashing it into the far corner.

Five minutes later the shellshocked Uzbek 'keeper Pavel Bugalo - who had been fortunate to stay on the pitch when he was only booked for bringing down Takahara for the earlier penalty - was picking the ball out of the net again as Morishima's cross was headed home by 24-year-old Nishizawa.

Sergei Lushan pulled one back before half-time with a header. Both Nishizawa and Takahara quickly sealed their hat-tricks in the second-half the former producing a spectacular diving header for number six and then an unmarked Takahara turned and shot past Bugalo into the far corner.

Kitajima, who came on for Takahara just after the latter had completed his hat-trick, wrapped it up after waltzing through the Uzbek defence to round the keeper and score. The Uzbeks rarely threatened to disturb this regal procession and ended up with the scant consolation of four bookings from over-zealous Singaporean referee Shamsul Maidin.

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apan rolled into the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup on Tuesday after a record 8-1 victory over Uzbekistan. Akinori Nishizawa and Naohiro Takahara both scored hat tricks. It was the biggest offensive outburst at an Asian Cup tournament. In 1980, Iran beat Bangladesh, 7-0.

After crushing defending champion Saudi Arabia, 4-1, in its opening match, Japan produced another high-scoring display, blasting five goals in the first 25 minutes. And it could have been worse for Uzbekistan had Nishizawa converted a fifth-minute penalty.

The Uzbekistan goalkeeper Pavel Bugalo brought down Takahara in a vicious flying tackle to draw the penalty and earn a yellow card. Nishizawa took the spot kick, sending a chest-high shot to the left, but Bugalo turned the ball around the post. Two minutes later, Japan began the rout. Japan, the 1992 Asian Cup champion, now has six points in Group C after scoring 12 goals in two matches. Uzbekistan has one point.

Saudi Arabia 0, Qatar 0 Qatar held defending champion Saudi Arabia to a scoreless draw with a determined defensive effort in the Asian Cup in Sidon on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia can still qualify for the quarterfinals if it next beats Uzbekistan. Kuwait 1, South Korea 0 A first-half goal by the striker Jasem Huwdi gave Kuwait a stunning victory over South Korea in the first round in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Monday.

The result means South Korea, which drew in its first game, against China, faces elimination from the competition. Huwdi took his goal with skill after slipping past two defenders. (Internatioal Herald Tribune)

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zbekistan and Turkey have pledged to cooperate in preventing and investigating acts of terrorism, organized crime and crimes related to the illegal cultivation, production and circulation of narcotic substances, psychotropic substances and precursors. In a joint statement on cooperation published in `Narodnoye Slovo' on 18th October, Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Turkish President Ahmet Sezer also pledged that their countries would to join efforts to counteract extremism and international terrorism. They also agreed to expand trade and economic cooperation "on the basis of mutual benefit" and to give each other most-favoured nation treatment in all areas of economic cooperation. The statement was signed during a two-day visit to Uzbekistan by the Turkish president. The following is the text of the statement:

Uzbekistan and Turkey, hereinafter to be referred to as the "Parties", pointing out that mutual respect and cooperation between the Parties correspond to the interests of the two states' peoples and serve to promote peace, security and stability throughout the world,

wishing to build their bilateral relations on the principles of equality, justice and mutual understanding,

seeking qualitatively new bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, scientific and technical, ecological and other fields, and to strengthen its legal base,

state the following:

1. The Parties confirm that they intend to continue developing their friendly relations on the basis of the principles of the UN Charter, respect for one another's independence and sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in one another's domestic affairs, and also on the basis of the recognized principles and norms of international law.

2. The Parties, on the basis of the positive nature of bilateral relations, confirm their desire to develop and broaden the political dialogue by holding bilateral consultations at various levels to exchange opinions on issues of bilateral interest.

3. The Parties, in an effort to set up a stable international system and create favourable conditions for the steady development of all members of the international community, underlined the importance of constructive cooperation within the UN, the OSCE, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and other international organizations.

4. The Parties confirm that supporting peace, stability and security in the Central Asian region is of fundamental importance in maintaining peace and steady development in Asia and throughout the world.

5. The Parties are of the opinion that ensuring the earliest possible peaceful solution to the Afghan conflict serves the interests of regional and international stability and security.

6. The Parties unequivocally condemn and oppose all forms of extremism, international terrorism and challenges to the states' territorial integrity and sovereignty.

7. Turkey continues to support the initiative launched by Uzbekistan at the OSCE summit in Istanbul to set up an international anti-terrorism centre within the UN.

8. The Parties shall ensure close cooperation between their law-enforcement and defence departments and other competent bodies in preventing and investigating acts of terrorism, organized crime and crimes related to the illegal cultivation, production and circulation of narcotic substances, psychotropic substances and precursors.

9. The Parties, in an effort to combine their efforts to counteract extremism and international terrorism as part of the joint statement between Uzbekistan and Turkey on cooperation in fighting terrorism, drug smuggling and organized crime, have agreed to form a joint working group from amongst their law-enforcement staff.

10. The Parties, stressing the need to form a legal basis for military and military and technical cooperation, attach paramount importance to the signing and implementation of the accord on military and military and technical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkey.

11. The Parties, emphasizing the serious state of the ecology of the Aral Sea basin, shall look into the possibilities of further developing bilateral cooperation in resolving the issue.

12. The Parties underlined the need to step up the work of the Uzbek-Turkish intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation and of the Business Council in order to ensure the promotion of economic cooperation.

13. Trade and economic cooperation between the Parties shall continue to expand on the basis of mutual benefit and of ensuring equal economic and legal conditions.

The Parties are to take the necessary measures to ensure that they, under international obligations, give one another most-favoured nation treatment in all areas of economic cooperation.

14. The Parties shall offer incentives to all forms of bilateral trade, ensure the active involvement of small- and medium-sized businesses in economic cooperation, exchanges of commercial, economic and financial information, and shall help education and joint ventures and also assist the development of other progressive forms of cooperation in the industrial, investment, banking and commercial fields.

15. The Parties shall broaden cooperation in passenger and freight transport and shall create favourable conditions on their territory for passenger and freight transportation, including transit transportation, and, in every way possible give incentives to cooperation between the relevant departments in this field.

16. The Parties shall attribute great importance to meetings between the leaders of the Turkic-speaking states with regard to cementing historically established, cultural, humanitarian, trade and economic links, and also to ensuring peace and stability as a whole in the region.

17. The Parties shall continue cooperating to expand and strengthen friendly ties in the interests of their peoples and shall seek to maintain peace and stability in the 21st century.

[Signed] President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on behalf of Uzbekistan

President of Turkey Ahmet Sezer on behalf of Turkey

the city of Tashkent, 16th October 2000

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zbek President Islam Karimov on Tuesday defended cutting the numbers of Uzbek students studying in Turkey over recent years, blaming the exposure of the students to radical groups operating in Turkey.

Speaking to reporters in Tashkent after the departure of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, he said the Turkish side understood his position, and it also supported the scaling down of educational exchanges.

"Once we sent about 2,000 students to Turkey to study at their colleges and universities. Today this number has been reduced. There were many Turkish colleges in Uzbekistan. They also have been reduced," Karimov said, in comments broadcast by Uzbek TV.

"Over two or three years we analysed the situation and arrived at the conclusion that our children who study in Turkey, their knowledge, their world view should be high, they should meet world standards, they should not forget out national traditions, if necessary they should not forget the Uzbek people's national values.

"And if we look at this issue of contact with various dogmatic trends, negative, radical and evil groups from a critical point of view, our Turkish friends should recognize that we analysed these issues in depth, and came to a conclusion that many problems have arisen," Karimov stated.

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he "Joint statement on the cooperation between Turkey and Uzbekistan" signed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Uzbek President Islam Karimov was announced on Monday [16th October].

The statement stressed determination of the two countries to improve the bilateral relations and the sides pointed out to the importance of the protection of peace, stability and security in the Central Asia in respect of the lasting peace and development in the whole world. The sides also confirmed that the immediate solution of the problems in Afghanistan by peaceful ways will serve the regional and international stability.

The Turkish side reiterated its support for the proposal of Uzbekistan to found an "international centre to struggle with terrorism" during the OSCE summit in Istanbul and the UN meetings. The two sides stated that their judiciary, security and other officials will have close cooperation in terrorism, organized crimes and drug trafficking.

The two sides also agreed on the idea of forming an expert group to coordinate the efforts carried out against international terrorism. The joint statement on cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime noted that the two sides condemned terrorism in a resolved way.

The statement pointed out that the two countries have the right and responsibility to protect their citizens and other persons against terrorist attacks. Besides, the sides reached an agreement to found an expert group which will exchange views and which will decide to take measures to cooperate against terrorism.

The statement also noted that the two sides will make cooperation in detention and extradition of criminals, adding that the terrorist actions should not be considered as political crime.

The statement stressed that no rights to take shelter, found training camps, transfer guns and military ammunition, collect money, rest, organize and propagate should be given to terrorists. The sides also underlined the importance of taking measures to prevent the terrorist organizations' accession to bank and other finance and economic institutions.

Meanwhile, Uzbek President Islam Karimov praised President Ahmet Necdet Sezer in the dinner hosted in Sezer's honour the same night and described Mr Sezer as a "great jurist and state leader".

Karimov stressed that Turkey is the first state in the east which took a step to found a democratic state and he also praised great leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern and secular Turkey. Karimov stressed the importance of improvement of relations between the two countries.

"We consider the Turkish state as an important and reliable partner and we are ready to develop our relations in all fields," he added. (Turkish news agency Anatolia, October 17)

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acan Ildem, presidential cabinet chief and foreign affairs adviser, said on Monday [16th October] that struggle against terrorism was the most important item of the agenda of the meeting between President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Uzbek President Islam Karimov. Tacan Ildem spoke to journalists about President Sezer's contacts in Uzbekistan. He said all dimensions of bilateral relations were discussed during Sezer's meeting with Karimov.

Ildem said Sezer's meeting with Karimov during the "UN millennium summit" formed a turning point for the bilateral relations, adding that issues which are important for Turkish-Uzbek relations were discussed in the meeting in question.

Recalling that Karimov, during the meeting in New York, had said they needed the help of Turkey, which has broad experiences regarding terrorism, Ildem said, "Turkey is aware of the difficulties of friendly countries in Central Asia and is resolved to do its best to help them."

Ildem said related officials started initiatives as a part of the directives of President Sezer in this respect and noted that Interior Minister Saadettin Tantan, Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and a military delegation had contacts in Uzbekistan. Ildem said meeting of the two presidents on Monday took place in a positive atmosphere and noted that Sezer and Karimov discussed improvement economic relations.

Ildem said Turkish entrepreneurs working in Uzbekistan have several problems and noted that Uzbek side should take several measures to overcome these problems and to create new investment facilities. Ildem said struggle against terrorism was an important article of the agenda of President Sezer's meeting with Karimov.

Pointing out that a military delegation from Turkey visited Uzbekistan and found the opportunity to assess the equipment and military training issues required in struggle against terrorism, Ildem said the efforts were intensified to this end.

Ildem said, "Support from Turkey, which will contribute to the reinforcement of Uzbek forces in struggle against terrorism, reached to Uzbekistan last Friday. This aid is symbolic but shows Turkey's will of support. Turkey is aware of the difficulties of Uzbekistan and determined to do its best." Ildem said the two presidents discussed issues which concern the region and in this respect took up the situation in Afghanistan.

Ildem also said President Sezer invited Karimov to the "Turkish-speaking countries head of states summit", which will take place in Istanbul in April and that his invitation was accepted.

When asked about the content of the military reinforcement aid of Turkey, Ildem said it will provide facilities for the Uzbek forces to launch operations under winter conditions. Ildem also said Turkey's aid would continue.

Responding to a question if Turkish schools which were opened but later closed brought to the agenda, Ildem said, "President Sezer stressed that secularism was one of the basic principles of the Republic of Turkey and noted that young people, which grow up with secular thoughts, are the assurances of Turkey's secular order. He said education was an important dimension in relations. Sezer said required facilities will be provided for state schools, linked with the National Education Ministry, to contribute to mutual benefits." (Turkish news agency Anatolia, October 16)

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ollowing the departure of Turkish President Ahmet Sezer, Uzbek President Islam Karimov spoke to Uzbek journalists at Tashkent airport.

[Karimov] "Assessing the results of the visit he said, in particular, thinking of its future, every state pursues far-reaching goals both in its internal and foreign policies. "Speaking about the development of trade and economic relations, Islam Karimov stressed that Mr Sezer was not satisfied with the present state of affairs in this field. The trade turnover has gone down significantly and the two countries have not been fully using the existing opportunities. "The Uzbek president has his own view on the situation. He noted that the issue of increasing the trade turnover with other countries is not the end in itself. We, above all, should fill our market with domestically produced goods, instead of importing them. It is necessary to produce what we do not have and, if there are opportunities inside the country, we should produce the goods which we are importing now. "We launched this policy nine years ago by saying that we did not need finished products, but modern foreign equipment and technologies, Islam Karimov stressed. For instance, we have cotton, we produce raw cotton and export it to many countries. Why don't we develop the production of finished goods from cotton and sell them abroad? It is not always possible to explain this to partners, as they pursue their own interests, that is they are interested in us exporting raw materials and buying finished products. "A number of textile factories have been built jointly with Turkey in Uzbekistan. They produce cotton thread, but further it is necessary to produce fabric and other goods out of the fabric. We could develop the production of finished products, the Uzbek leader thinks. "When we speak about the most modern technologies, they are in the most developed countries, like Japan, Germany, America and France. When we set up factories jointly with Turkey, it would be reasonable to ask from where Uzbekistan will receive equipment. "Now back to the mentioned issue: why has the trade volume gone down? One might draw a conclusion that this is connected with the fact that the structure of the national economy is being changed. Uzbekistan, which mainly used to export raw materials, is now increasing the production of export-oriented finished products. "During his stay in Uzbekistan, President Ahmet Sezer noted that there was no more misunderstanding on certain issues. We will draw right conclusions and will jointly make efforts to build our future. I support him [Sezer] fully."

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eligious extremism and terrorism give rise to understandable alarm and concern throughout the world and generate the need to work out adequate measures to oppose that creeping evil.

The law-enforcement agencies in Uzbekistan, which have practical experience of acts perpetrated by various kinds of extremists and terrorists, are playing an active part in the process. One aspect of that wide-ranging effort is the borrowing of experience gained by other countries in combating terrorism. During the current year alone, specialists from the USA and Germany have conducted a number of educational and method-teaching seminars for members of our country's law-enforcement agencies, covering a wide range of issues in opposing extremism and terrorism.

Under an accord reached previously, a group of US FBI instructors are currently conducting an educational-practical seminar on "Investigating the aftermath of explosions".

Those attending the seminar will be informed about the classification of explosives and their effect, about the structure and design of explosive devices used by terrorists, about collecting, storing and presenting material evidence from the explosion site for analysis. Separate topics relate to how law-enforcement officers should act when there is a danger of explosions, to how buildings and vehicles should be inspected, and to forensic examination. There will be case studies of how American experts investigated the aftermath of the explosions set off by terrorists in Oklahoma City and at US embassies in East Africa.

The very first classes at a shooting range have demonstrated the American specialists' high professional skills and their good technical equipment. Those attending the seminar could see, during demonstration explosions, the effect of various explosives and chemical combinations, gunpowders and detonators.

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passenger train routing between two Tajik cities through neighbouring Uzbekistan has been detained by Uzbek border guards since Monday evening [16th October].

Uzbek authorities held the train, travelling between the southwestern city of Qurghonteppa to the capital, Dushanbe, because its passengers did not have transit visas, Tajik law-enforcement sources told Tass on Tuesday.

Tajik officials noted, however, that a new visa regime introduced between the two Central Asian nations on 18th September did not cover transit passengers.

Talks between Tajik and Uzbek officials have been under way, while all 628 passengers have been kept in their carriages under the surveillance of Uzbek authorities. Talks were due to resume at diplomatic level on Tuesday morning. (Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, October 17)

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n August 9, 2000, the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan appealed to the international community in the country to provide assistance in alleviating the dramatic consequences of a protracted drought. The message signed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan indicated that, as a result of drought, also the situation in the Aral Sea basin has worsened, especially along the low reaches of Amudarya river, which plays critical role for almost 15 million people. Uzbek officials say the drought has destroyed 300,000 hectares of sown land in Uzbekistan, which has produced just 3 million tones of grain this year against a 4,89 million tone target.

In reply to the above-mentioned appeal, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea donated 30 000 US dollars to Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan in drought relief aid for Aral sea basin on October 12, 2000 within the frames of bilateral cooperation.

KOICA office carries out various cooperation programs in order to better respond to the needs of the Republic of Uzbekistan such as provision of equipment, invitation of trainees, dispatch of volunteers, experts, oriental medical personnel, assistance to NGOs. (Press-release of the Korean Embassy, October 17)

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lthough Uzbekistan is presently enjoying the privileges of the most favoured nation in trade relations with 38 large countries as well as GSP privileges (General System of Privileges) given from USA, Japan and European Union, the export growth of products of processing industry may be a subject to trade barriers from other countries. The existing non-tariff barriers, particularly in developed countries, could be serious obstacle for growth of export volumes of agricultural products, leather, textile goods, products of chemical industry and metallurgy.

Therefore, one of the important tasks in the sphere of international economic relations of Uzbekistan remains guaranteeing the status as of the most favoured nation and its incorporation of more countries of the world. The most effective way of solving this task is inclusion of Uzbekistan into World Trade Organisation.

Once Uzbekistan becomes a member of WTO the status of the most favoured nation will be guaranteed. The country which has no access to seas will receive guaranteed transit through the territory of any other WTO member country.

If speaking about the CIS countries in general, their inclusion into this organisation will enable elimination of existing barriers and problems on the prospective of their economic integration, harmonisation of customs tariff, tax and currency regulation, free transit of goods, etc. Therefore, there is no alternative for Uzbekistan other than WTO. But several points to be raised in this regard.

After liberalisation of currency policy, which is mandatory condition for membership to WTO, the role of tariff regulation for protection of domestic production will increase in the shot run. This is because the currency control is the primary measure for protecting of Uzbek market today. In this regard, the detailed research is necessary in order to identify the industries in Uzbekistan for specific measures of protectionism (quotes, tariffs, etc.).

Moreover, rules within WTO ban expert subsidies while this may create difficulties in expanding export by increasing volume of ready made products in the short period of time. However, this should not be viewed as a serious obstacle because liberalisation of exchange rate will lift significant tax burden in the form of overpriced exchange rate and mandatory sale of hard currency revenues gained from exports.

The application of Uzbekistan for a membership to WTO was submitted in 1994. In accordance with the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Interdepartmental Commission has been set up to work with WTO. The Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations has been assigned to implement the functions of Commission secretariat.

The Programme of the European Union Commission - TACIS and US Agency On International Development - USAID both have been making significant contribution to the process of preparing Uzbekistan to the membership. It is believed that the potential of inclusion of Uzbekistan into WTO is a matter of a close future. (UzReport, October 17)

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zbekistan and Turkey have agreed to cooperate in fighting terrorism, drug-smuggling and organised crime.

The country's presidents, Islam Karimov and Ahmet Necdet Sezer, signed a joint statement to do so after talks in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. An agreement on military cooperation was also signed.

Relations between the two countries have not always been good; last year Turkey was criticised in Uzbekistan for allowing Uzbek opposition figures to gather there.

This is the first official visit by the Turkish leader to Uzbekistan, where he is starting a tour of four Central Asian states. (BBC, October 16)

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zbek President Islam Karimov has said continuous political consultations and military cooperation should be priorities in developing relations between his country and Turkey. Speaking at a meeting with a visiting Turkish delegation, led by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer today, Karimov said the two countries had to consult with one another on international issues of mutual interest and promote cooperation between their armies to remove regional security threats. The two leaders signed agreements on the joint fight against terrorism, drug smuggling and organized crime and on military cooperation. The following are excerpts from report by Uzbek TV on 16th October:

The Uzbek and Turkish presidents held a one-to-one meeting. Along with issues of developing Uzbek-Turkish relations, the two focused on trade and economic and military and technical cooperation and the joint fight against terrorism and drug addiction.

The expanded-format talks attended by the Uzbek president, Islam Karimov, and the Turkish president, Ahmet Sezer, focused on issues of raising bilateral relations to a new level and of economic cooperation.

As is known, so far Uzbekistan and Turkey have signed a total of 69 documents, including on eternal friendship, trade and economic cooperation and joint fight against international terrorism and drug smuggling.

On economic relations, the meeting noted that despite the trend towards a relative fall in the trade turnover, Uzbek exports to Turkey were going up and the imports going down. President Karimov, stressed the need to concentrate on three specific areas in developing friendly relations and cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkey.

[Karimov] "I think we need to take more practical actions, first and foremost, in the political, security, economic and cultural fields. "In the political sphere, I think it is important to continue the political dialogue between our countries on the international issues of mutual interest and to hold continuous political consultations in order to promote our political relations. In my view, we, Uzbekistan and Turkey, need to strengthen our ties and coordinate our efforts in settling regional security issues within the UN, the OSCE, NATO and other international organizations.

"In the field of security, we are all increasingly concerned about the fact that the spread of such negative phenomena as international terrorism, extremism, dogmatism, organized crime, the illegal drug and arms trade is growing to the end of this century and threatening the life of society. It is vitally important to improve bilateral military and technical cooperation and cooperation between our armed forces to remove such threats and dangers. An agreement on military and military and technical cooperation was signed during this visit. It will contribute a great deal to our struggle.

"In the economic area, a contract was signed between Uzmashsanoat [Uzbek mechanical engineering industry] and Turkey's Arcelik company to make 200,000 modern refrigerators at the Sino joint-stock company in Samarkand. We see this contract as another promising economic cooperation project.

"However, I want to say that we have to take a critical look at the economic and trade situation between Uzbekistan and Turkey, and say that the situation does not at all reflect the potential of our economic relations. I would like to take this opportunity to invite Turkish traders, businessmen and companies known in the world to show themselves by making business on the Uzbek market, and to express my readiness to create the necessary legal basis and, if need be, grant concessions for them."

At the end of the talks, a ceremony of signing bilateral cooperation documents took place. The Uzbek president, Islam Karimov, and the Turkish president, Ahmet Sezer, signed a joint cooperation statement and a joint statement on cooperation in combatting terrorism, drug smuggling and organized crime. Also, the Uzbek and Turkish governments signed an accord on military and military and technical cooperation.

Then, the Uzbek and Turkish heads of state made statements for the media on the outcome of the talks, and the importance of the signed documents. This ended the first day of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's official visit to Uzbekistan. (Uzbek TV)

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zbekistan has opened roads for goods from Kyrgyzstan to the [Russian] Urals and Siberia.

The first in the past two years shipment of famous pears from Kyrgyzstan's south left for Russia after Uzbek President Islam Karimov's official visit to Bishkek.

All the Kyrgyz borders used to be closed before. Now Kazakhstan has also allocated an additional quota for the transit of [Kyrgyz] goods to Russia. (Kyrgyz-Press International News Agency from Kabar Agency, October 16)

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zbekistan and Turkey on Monday [16th October] signed three documents on cooperation in various areas.

In addition to the joint statement on cooperation, Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer signed joint statements on cooperation in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime.

Commenting on the results of the first day of the Turkish president's visit to Uzbekistan and the top-level talks, Karimov said: "Our points of view coincided on many issues. It is encouraging that Turkey has decided to provide the necessary constructive assistance to Uzbekistan in the military and military-technical fields."

Sezer is in Tashkent on an official visit. This is his first visit to Uzbekistan as head of state. The legal basis for relations between the two countries has been created by 70 documents signed by Turkey and Uzbekistan earlier. During his four-day Central Asian tour, Sezer will also visit Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. (Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, October 16)

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hina's top legislator Li Peng said today that China has attached importance to developing friendly relations with Uzbekistan, which is beneficial to both countries and peace and stability in central Asia as well as the whole world.

Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, made the remarks at a meeting with Uzbekistan Minister of the Interior Zohirjon Almatov.

He said that in recent years, visits between senior officials of the two countries have been frequent, referring to the visit by President Jiang Zemin and by himself.

Li noted that Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov visited China last November and signed documents on furthering Sino-Uzbekistan friendly relations. The visit expanded bilateral cooperation, and laid a solid foundation for the cooperation on law enforcement.

He voiced his hope that Almatov's visit will improve cooperation between the security and interior departments of the two countries.

Almatov said that Uzbekistan Ministry of the Interior, according to the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, will further promote cooperation with the Chinese security department in law enforcement, so as to safeguard the security and stability of the two countries. (Chinese news agency Xinhua, October 16)

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delegation from the UN Commission for International Trade Rights was in Uzbekistan today. During its four-day visit the delegation will meet the heads of various ministries and hold a scientific and practical seminar for businessmen.

Today, on the first day of the visit, the delegation visited the ministries of foreign economic relations and of justice. The delegation also saw the sights of the capital [Tashkent]. (Uzbek Radio, October 16)

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he Taleban ambassador to Islamabad, [Mola] Abdossalem Zayif, has given a letter from his leadership to the Uzbek ambassador, Shukhrat Kabilov. The letter claims that Kabul allegedly presents no threat to Uzbekistan and wants to forge friendly ties with all its neighbours. The RIA correspondent reports that the letter is signed by the head of the council of ministers, mullah Mohammad Rabbani.

This is the second meeting of the two ambassadors in Islamabad over the last month, although there are no diplomatic ties between Uzbekistan and the Taleban. The Kabul regime is still supported by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates only. (Russian news agency RIA, October 16)

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he so-called Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan has become the 29th organization on the U.S. State Department list of foreign terrorist organizations. The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan which is illegal in Uzbekistan found itself on that list after it was blamed by the U.S. Department of State for: "threatening the lives of civilians and regional security, undermining the rule of law, criminal acts of terrorism against the citizens of Uzbekistan, kidnapping foreigners, including Americans, and calling for the violent overthrow of the Government of Uzbekistan."

Last February group members staged five car bombs in the Uzbek capital Tashkent, killing 16 people. This year hundreds of militants from the IMU moved into the mountainous territories of two sovereign states of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan causing clashes with government troops. (BEGIN CUT) The militants are provided shelter in neighboring Tajikistan controlled by the government and the opposition. The United Tajik Opposition that had once been a cause of the civil war in Tajikistan in 1992 to 1997 now supports the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan with arms, finances and a haven. (END CUT)

IMU leaders say they want to overthrow the secular governments of Central Asia and establish a single Islamic Caliphate there. But in fact their broader plan includes the use of the country as a transit corridor for Afghan drugs and the dominance over Uzbekistan's rich natural resources: oil, gas and gold. Uzbekistan has been so far the only Central Asian country successfully combating drug trafficking from Afghanistan. At present there is over one ton of drugs, mainly, heroine accumulated in Afghanistan.

Rafik Sayfullin, Director of the Institute of Strategic Studies: "The solution of the United States Department of State about including the so-called Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan as a terrorist group is not only a signal for the world community, but it is a really realistic assessment of their activity and I hope that it will be a nice base for the joining efforts in the struggle against international terrorism."

The U.S. Department of State links the IMU to the world's notorious number one terrorist, Osama bin Laden, who provides military training for IMU fighters in camps in Afghanistan. The IMU also receives assistance from Afghanistan's ruling Taleban movement and other groups and individuals based in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

The Foreign Terrorist Organization designation will make it illegal for persons within U.S. jurisdiction to provide funding or material support to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and gives the Department of Treasury the authority to block any IMU assets within U.S. jurisdiction. In certain cases, IMU members or representatives can be denied visas or excluded from the United States.

The U.S. Department fact sheet on the IMU says, "they are not the only group to oppose the current government of Uzbekistan. However, they are the only group that has resorted to terrorism to achieve their goals, the only group to actively threaten U.S. interests in Central Asia, and the only group to have attacked American citizens."

Rafik Sayfullin: "I think that the United States now much deeper understands the role which Uzbekistan is playing in this region to prevent any activity of international terrorist groups, including the IMU."

The Uzbek government sees the IMU not as a single terrorist group, but as a chain of large international terrorist organizations with good financing, well-organized structure and an army of well paid fighters.

Sadyq Safaev, Uzbek Ambassador to the United States: "Today the world has met or has encountered the growing threat of international terrorism, but ironically, there is no any agency or institution either the department within the United Nations Organization to monitor this process, to create the needed legislative basis for international cooperation of the countries, the governments against this new threat."

To be able to fight such a complex organization, the Uzbek President proposed at the UN Millennium Summit that nations must consolidate their efforts and form an International Counter-Terrorism Center under the UN leadership.

Ambassador Safaev: "This proposal was received with a great interest by many countries and since, of course, it is a serious proposal, perhaps, it will require some time to study it, to comprehend and to elaborate the kind of an approach to its implementation. (BEGIN CUT) I think that coming in end of October conference in Tashkent, organized by the United Nations, the OSCE and Uzbekistan, will be a very important step in creating the kind of a response to the Uzbek leader's proposal."

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n the second day of his official visit to Uzbekistan, 13th October, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and Uzbek President Islam Karimov visited Remembrance Square in Tashkent, inspected a school and spoke to representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora, Uzbek TV reported the same day.

Shown talking to a crowd of people, Karimov asked member of the Ukrainian diaspora: "What do you think, how we will live in the future? Do you believe that we will live better in the future? There are problems around, in Afghanistan for example, and elsewhere, do they particularly disturb you?"

Members of the crowd said: "We will live better, we rely on you."

Karimov asked further: "You all watch Russian television, you read the Russian press, are they frightening you there?"

The reply from the crowd: "They just envy us."

The same day the two presidents visited historical sites in Bukhara. From there Kuchma left for Ukraine, the report said in conclusion.

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oscow has invented the Taleban threat to maintain military and political control over Central Asia, Uzbek president is quoted as saying by Russian newspaper 'Rossiyskaya Gazeta'. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have been holding talks with the Taleban but history shows that any concessions now will only whet the appetite of the aggressive party, says the paper. Text of the article, published on 10th October, follows. Subheadings have been inserted editorially.

"Historical experience teaches that peoples and governments have never learned anything from history: Each time is too individual for that." - Hegel. From the introduction to "Lectures on the Philosophy of History", 1882.

Recently, in Central and Middle Asia, events have taken place that could influence the situation in that region in a fundamental way. First of all, advance units of the Afghan Taleban movement, having routed in battle the detachments of the Northern Alliance, under the leadership of Ahmad Shah Masud, practically reached the borders of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Immediately thereafter, the secretaries of the security councils of Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan met and came to the conclusion that in the long term it is possible that there will be an expansion by the Taleban into the states bordering Afghanistan, for which it is necessary to prepare jointly.

Moscow invented Taleban threat to keep Central Asia in thrall

Practically simultaneously with this, the president of Uzbekistan made a lightning visit to Turkmenistan, whose foreign policy department has for a long time now actively been offering its intermediary services to the Taleban leadership for the establishment of ties between Kabul and Tashkent. After that visit, Islam Karimov came out with a statement in which he called upon Russia not to try to frighten Uzbekistan and the other countries of that region with the Taleban. The Taleban threat itself, like the "danger of domestic Islamism", is greatly exaggerated, said he, essentially quite simply invented by Moscow, which is pursuing its own aims exclusively to maintain military and political control over Central Asia. We are being invited into some kind of collective armed forces in Central Asia, which supposedly are to stand against some kind of danger, but all of that has been fabricated, said the president of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan in talks with the Taleban

As it turned out, this statement was not impromptu. The Western media have reported that Uzbekistani diplomacy has for several months now been holding confidential negotiations with the Taleban. Thus, Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov recently acknowledged that he lately he has met repeatedly with the head of the Taleban government, Mullah Omar, and the head of the foreign policy department, Mullah Muttawakil. And at the end of September and the beginning of October, there took place in Islamabad an unofficial two-day meeting between ambassador of Uzbekistan in Pakistan Shukhrat Kabilov and the ambassador of the Taleban movement, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaid, during which Kabilov informed his interlocutor that Tashkent no longer considers the Taleban a threat to stability in the Central Asian region and is therefore ready, even, to withdraw some of its troops from the Afghan border.

International community's view of the Taleban

The opinion of the international community on that score, as is well known, is different. The United Nations declared economic sanctions against the Taleban government and is insisting on their strict observance. Russia and the United States hold the same position. In particular, the President of the Russian Federation, during his recent visit to India, said straight out that there exist camps on the territory of Afghanistan where international terrorists are being trained, who operate "from the Philippines to Kosovo, including Kashmir and the North Caucasus", and in order to fight against this international-scale phenomenon, collective efforts are needed.

Close to Russia's position is that of the United States. Tom Franks, commander-in-chief of the US central command, publicly stressed that thanks to the support that Usama bin-Laden and his backers have been giving the Taleban, a real threat exists to stability and security in the Central Asian region, and an escalation of tension is possible from Afghanistan into Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

Judging by the latest events, Kabul has begun to realize that its frank proclamation of its expansionist goals is not bringing it dividends in the international arena, and it has changed its lexicon.

Taleban promises not to violate Central Asian borders

Thus, according to information from ITAR-TASS, Taleban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Muttawakil declared a few days ago that with their troops' approach to Tajikistan's border, stability and security will be established in the region. The Taleban, said he, will never violate the borders with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. The same was repeated by Mullah Abdul Salam Zaid during the negotiations with the Ambassador of Uzbekistan in Islamabad.

The Taleban's military successes, together with their peaceable, diplomatic rhetoric, have today led to a situation where they have already achieved their first goal: At least two states - Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - are holding negotiations with them at the foreign ministerial level.

It is clear that Islam Karimov resolved upon separate negotiations with the Taleban because he had no alternative. And today he is backing out of a union with Russia, as it seems to him, under compulsion. And even so, what next?

Concessions to the Taleban compared with appeasament of the Nazis

Next, most likely, will come that which has already happened more than once in the history of the 20th century. The aggressive party, having obtained one round of concessions, with time will proceed to an escalation of its claims. This has already happened in history. In 1938, [Britain's Prime Minister Neville] Chamberlain and [French Prime Minister Edouard] Daladier signed the Munich Pact, hoping that they were cheating fate and history and Hitler. As a result, it was their own countries that they cheated and drove into a blind alley.

Tashkent, resolving upon separate negotiations with the Taleban, evidently does not realize at least two things. First of all, that over the past 10 years, Afghanistan has transformed itself into a huge centre for the production of narcotics, which are conveyed through the states of Central Asia into Russia and to Western and Eastern Europe. Islam Karimov is getting in the way of this narcotics trade. This means that this obstacle must be removed.

And the second thing. The Taleban leadership has at its disposal a huge army. Only in this way is it succeeding in holding in its hands about 90 per cent of the territory of Afghanistan. Meanwhile, in a whole range of Afghanistan's provinces, the situation is explosive, pre-insurrection. People do not want to reconcile themselves to the brutal regime that the Taleban is imposing on the population of the whole country. Their insurgency against the Taleban is held in check only by the cruelty displayed by the "warriors of Islam".

Imagine that the Taleban conquers the whole territory of the country. Afghanistan shifts to the restoration of peaceful life. An army of such massive size becomes unnecessary. It is cut back. But that means there is an immediate weakening of the armed pressure within the country on the masses, which do not agree with the Taleban regime. The country again explodes, but now against the Taleban leadership. Which means that the army cannot be cut back.

But an army of such huge size cannot stand around doing nothing. Where are its actions to be directed, when everything has already been conquered at home? Outward, naturally. But on Afghanistan's foreign borders, we see only Pakistan, Iran, a little of India, and also Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Where, in this case, could Taleban Kabul direct its troops? The answer is obvious.

The soil for such an expansion is being prepared today. Russian military experts believe that in the Gharm area and the Farghona Valley of Uzbekistan, bases have been prepared as of today where Taleban commandos and members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan will gradually infiltrate, numbering up to 1,500 men. On top of this, Chechen commandos who have lost their prospects in Chechnya are also coming here.

Russian national int