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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n line with the results of secret voting at a meeting of the Asian Banks Association (ABA) in Istanbul, the National Bank [for Foreign Economic Activity of Uzbekistan] has been elected a member of the ABA supreme body.

The forum of the banks is held annually. This time the representatives of the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of the Republic of Uzbekistan were present at the forum.

A number of decisions adopted at the forum attached special importance to the forum and raised Uzbekistan's status in the Association significantly. This happened after the results of elections for new members of the Council of Directors of the ABA, of which the National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of the Republic of Uzbekistan has become a member.

The participants at the meeting discussed a wide range of issues connected with the banks' activity in the new millennium. These issues include globalization of the world financial systems and developing banking products and technologies.

One of the main issues on the agenda was selection of a place for the next ABA meeting. During the talks, the issue of the reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan in all spheres of life, in particular, in the banking system, were highly assessed.

The participants at the forum recognized the National Bank as the biggest bank in Central Asia. At the end, the Council of Directors approved Tashkent as the place for the next regular meeting of the Asian Banks Association in 2001, at which, according to premilinary reports, almost 70 foreign delegations would be present. (October 27, 2000)

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he distance between Zaamin and Zarbdor Districts in Dzhizak Region [central Uzbekistan] has been reduced. A bridge across a local river [the Zaaminsuv] has been built and put into service there.

Earlier the residents of neighbouring Districts had to make a multi-kilometre circuit in order to travel to see each other, wasting time and fuel and suffering the inconvenience of the journey. The estimated cost of the installation was 30m soms. The costs were met by the local administrations of both the interested Districts.

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delegation from the World Bank headed by its vice president, Johannes Linn is concluding its visit to Central Asia. The members of the delegation stayed in Uzbekistan three days. Vice President Johannes Linn met the members of Uzbek nongovernmental organizations at the World Bank office in Uzbekistan. The meeting discussed the issues of the World Bank's strategy of assisting the country.

Mr Linn spoke at the meeting and said that he was ready for cooperation with the regional working group on implementing joint projects.

Earlier Mr. Linn also had a chance to meet with the country's president Islam Karimov.

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xperts of Saryassiya customs checkpoint in Uzbek southern Surkhandarya Region inspected one of the carriages of the Dushanbe-Konibodom train [Tajik capital - northern Tajik Leninobod (Soghd) Region] and found over 3 kg of heroin which was being smuggled to a neighbouring state. A 37 years-old resident of the city of Dushanbe, Matluba Muhiddinova, had hidden the heroin inside pillows and a blanket.

Also customs experts in eastern Namangan Region have detained Aleksandr Klimov, who attempted to enter our state through secret paths from Kyrgyzstan. Later it became clear why Aleksandr Klimov tried to avoid the customs checkpoint. He was attempting to smuggle over 5.5 kg of marijuana.

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court in Uzbekistan's eastern Andizhan Region has sentenced a man to death and jailed another for 19 years for killing the owner of a car to rob him, steal the car and sell it in a neighbouring state, the Uzbek newspaper `Na Postu' reported on 26th October.

It said the victim was killed by two passengers he picked up in Andizhan Region's Shakhrikhan District. Police eventually arrested the men and they were "punished accordingly".

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ussian-Uzbek consultations, attended by experts, on a draft agreement between the governments of the Russian Federation and Uzbekistan on mutual journeys of the two countries' citizens have taken place in Tashkent.

As a result of the discussions, a draft document was agreed. The document says, in particular, that the citizens of one state can enter, exit, travel through and stay in the other state without a visa, so long as they have a document that identifies them and proves their citizenship.

As is known, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement earlier on introducing a visa regime for CIS citizens. An agreement which is being prepared for signing between the governments of Russia and Uzbekistan does not envisage a visa regime.

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declaration adopted by the participants in an international conference on strengthening security and stability in Central Asia and jointly fighting against drugs, organized crime and terrorism, which took place in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, on 19th and 20th October, says that the forum "shares the concern of the participating Central Asian countries over international terrorism, extremism that involves violence, organized crime and the illegal circulation of drugs and arms", the Uzbek newspaper 'Narodnoye Slovo' reported on 24th October. The declaration also added that the Central Asian countries attached prime importance to the urgent adoption and implementation of the UN convention against transnational organized crime. "We commit ourselves to fighting threats to security by not violating human rights and people's fundamental freedoms, and not creating obstacles for people who wish to travel," the declaration said. The following is the text of the declaration.

In the spirit of the security platform based on cooperation which was adopted at the OSCE summit in Istanbul, the participating Central Asian countries hereby specify the following areas of activity which will create a basis for reinforcing cooperation between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan:

a) sharing the concern of the participating Central Asian countries over international terrorism, extremism that involves violence, organized crime and the illegal circulation of drugs and arms;

b) recognizing that international terrorism, extremism that involves violence, organized crime and the circulation of drugs pose an increasingly greater threat to security;

c) supporting the Political Declaration adopted by the 20th special session of the UN General Assembly, which notes that drugs ruin people's lives, destroy communities, undermine a person's stable development and generate crime. Drugs pose a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of all mankind, the independence of states, democracy, the stability of nations and the structures of all societies, as well as the dignity and hopes of millions of people and their families;

d) being convinced that the world drugs problem must be resolved multinationally;

e) being anxious about the affect on our society of serious crimes which are global in nature, and being convinced of the need for bilateral, regional and international cooperation in the field of crime prevention and criminal law;

f) displaying our anxiety in connection with the problem of transnational organized crime and the interrelationship between its various forms;

g) stressing that strengthening regional cooperation will promote stability and security in Central Asia;

h) expressing deep anxiety over the link between the illegal production and circulation of drugs, and over the involvement of terrorist groups, criminals and transnational organized crime, and announcing our firm decision to reinforce our cooperation in response to these threats;

i) maintaining that national, regional and joint action by the international community is essential for resisting these challenges, including those which come from areas that are very close to OSCE countries;

j) noting with gratitude the initiative of the OSCE and the UNPDCCP chairmanship on holding the international conference on strengthening security and stability in Central Asia and jointly fighting against drugs, organized crime and terrorism (city of Tashkent, 19th-20th October 2000), and expressing our gratitude for the hospitality of the Republic of Uzbekistan, we:

1. reaffirm that action directed against drugs, organized crime and terrorism is the responsibility of each interested state, as well as being a common and joint responsibility which requires an adequate, integrated and balanced approach in full accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the OSCE's Helsinki Final Act, the OSCE Copenhagen document, the OSCE Paris charter for a new Europe, the declarations of the OSCE summit meetings in Budapest, Lisbon and Istanbul, as well as with the conclusions formulated in the OSCE charter on security in Europe, adopted in Istanbul in November 1999;

2. recognize the existing links between drugs and terrorism, as well as the varied nature of organized crime, and understand that each of them requires an adequate, differentiated political and legal approach;

3. express our support for UN objectives in the field of crime prevention and criminal law, in particular in the field of reducing the level of crime, more effective and active ways of establishing law and order and exercising justice, respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as guaranteeing justice, humanity and professional behaviour;

4. maintain the need to study the roots of the problem of drugs, organized crime and terrorism by means of reinforcing human development, guaranteeing economic growth, improving the effective system of administration and applying democratic principles;

5. stress the responsibility of each state for creating and strengthening a fair, responsible and effective system of criminal law in accordance with UN Charter and international law;

6. stress the importance of fully observing the three international conventions on drugs control, as well as adopting and improving comprehensive national legislation and a strategy for implementing the stipulations of these conventions;

7. attach prime importance to the urgent adoption and implementation of the UN convention against transnational organized crime, as well as the relevant protocols on it;

8. think it is necessary to prevent and fight all signs and forms of terrorism by means of optimizing relevant national legislation and strategies, as well as by means of acceding to existing international conventions and implementating them;

9. recognize the significance and role of civil society and the development of democratic institutions in the fight against drugs, organized crime and terrorism, as well as the need for full observance of the principles of the primacy of law;

10. reaffirm the importance of the OSCE principle of comprehensive security, which combines respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as democracy and the primacy of law. We commit ourselves to fighting threats to security by not violating human rights and people's fundamental freedoms, and not creating obstacles for people who wish to travel;

11. stress that an effective fight against drugs, organized crime and terrorism is impossible without guaranteeing economic growth and developing infrastructure and social programmes. In this connection, we note the particular significance of the economic dimension as an equally important component of the OSCE blueprint for comprehensive security in the region;

12. welcome the initiative of the Central Asian countries aimed at strengthening coopration and trust in the region;

13. declare our intention to deepen our cooperation with regard to strengthening security and stability in Central Asia on the basis of a joint approach in the fight against drugs, organized crime and terrorism in line with the document entitled "Priorities of cooperation in the fight against the illegal circulation of drugs, organized crime and terrorism in Central Asia".

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rchbishop Marian Oles, the Apostolic Nuncio in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, has consecrated the region's largest Catholic church in the Uzbek capital Tashkent.

Construction of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was begun early in the 20th century, but construction was halted in 1920. Under communist rule, the Catholic community in Uzbekistan was persecuted, with services banned and priests often sent to labor camps. The authorities plan to open a concert hall in the church.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union and Uzbekistan's declaration of independence at the end of 1991, the republic's authorities returned the church to the Catholic community, with reconstruction of the building beginning in 1993.

The Rev. Christopher Kukulka, who assisted the archbishop during the consecration ceremony, said it would take several thousand dollars to complete construction of the church. He said there are fewer than 1,000 Catholics in Uzbekistan, a predominantly Muslim country, and noted that many of the Catholics are ethnic Koreans who have settled in the Central Asian state.

In addition to Tashkent, there are Catholic churches in the Uzbekistan cities of Samarkand and Fergana. (UPI, October 24)

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he Georgian Defence Ministry said it will not attend a session of the CIS Defence Ministers' Council to be held in [the Tajik capital] Dushanbe [on 26th October]. The ministry did not name the reason for its decision.

Uzbekistan will not attend either. Its Defence Ministry spokesman Komil Jabbarov told ITAR-TASS on Wednesday [25th October] that the delegation of Uzbekistan will not take part in the meeting of the CIS defence ministers. He did not elaborate. (Russian news agency ITAR-TASS, October 25)

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ne of the biggest air companies in the world, America's Delta Air Lines, has become a partner of Uzbekiston Havo Yollari [Uzbekistan Airways] national air company. An agreement on cooperation and transportation advantages has been signed in Tashkent.

Delta Air Lines occupies the first place in the world in terms of volume of passengers transported. For the [Uzbek] national air company, Delta Air Lines has become its 75th partner among foreign airlines.

The managing director of Uzbekistan Airways, Arslan Ruzmetov, thinks that another important step has been made in developing Uzbek civil aviation and expanding opportunities to master the aviation market of both the USA and Europe.

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delegation led by the Uzbek prosecutor general, Rashid Qodirov, has visited China on an invitation from the Supreme People Procuratorate of China and the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation.

The delegation attended an international conference organized by the said foundation. The conference, which involved about 600 participants from more than 70 countries, discussed topical issues in the field.

The Uzbek prosecutor general held talks with the procurator-general of the Chinese Supreme People's Procuratorate, Han Zhubin. Han Zhubin showed much interest in the Uzbek experience in fighting terrorism, extremism and international organized crime. An agreement on mutual cooperation was signed after the talks.

The Uzbek delegation also held talks with Bulgarian, Tajik, Russian colleagues, and the management of the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation. The delegation also visited local prosecutor's offices in Xian and Fuzhou.

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rade turnover between Germany and Uzbekistan went up by 12 per cent during the first six months of 2000 against 1999. Germany's charge d'affaires in the Republic of Uzbekistan, Dr Andreas Prothmann, said that the trade turnover between Germany and Uzbekistan showed a steady tendency to grow.

Uzbekistan's exports to Germany in 1999 were worth DM146.00m, and its imports from Germany in 1999 were DM491.19m, but a considerable rise was noted in the first half of 2000. In 1999, trade turnover between Germany and Uzbekistan totalled DM637.19m.

This is a high figure. Uzbekistan occupies fifth place in the CIS as regards trade turnover. According to Dr Andreas Prothmann, German investors are primarily attracted by Uzbekistan's rich natural resources. In 1999, direct German investment in Uzbekistan totalled DM12m. German firms have a keen interest in cooperation with Uzbekistan.

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scheduled meeting of the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan was held this week. The meeting was chaired by the commission's chairman, Najmiddin Komilov. The meeting considered the results of elections to vacant seats for deputies of the Supreme Assembly [the Uzbek parliament], which were held on 22nd October 2000. A total of 97.1 per cent of the electorate voted in constituency No 128, Guliston; 94.7 per cent in constituency No 141, Jarqorghon; 89.2 per cent in constituency No 160, Parkent; 89 per cent in constituency No 171, Chinoz; 99.2 per cent in constituency No 174, Beshariq, and 96.7 per cent in constituency No 198, Sokh.

Having considered a report on the results of the voting submitted by the district electoral commissions, the Central Electoral Commission has, in accordance with Articles 11 and 46 of the law "On elections to the Supreme Assembly of the Republic of Uzbekistan", registered:

Gulnoz Latipova in constituency No 128, Guliston, nominated by the Syrdarya Regional Council of People's Deputies;

Bakhtiyor Olimjonov in constituency No 141, Jarqorghon constituency, nominated by the Surkhandarya Regional Council of People's Deputies;

Behzod Yoldoshev in constituency No 160, Parkent, nominated by the Fidokorlar National Democratic Party of Uzbekistan;

Mahamadjon Yusupov (Muhammad Yusuf) in constituency No 170, Chinoz, nominated by the Fidokorlar National Democratic Party of Uzbekistan;

Alisher Otaboyev in constituency No 174, Beshariq, nominated by the Fergana Regional Council of People's Deputies;

and Jamshid Sayfiddinov in constituency No 189, Sokh, nominated by the People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, as deputies of the Supreme Assembly.

[Monitor's note: Bakhtioyr Olimjonov is the governor of the troubled Uzun District in southern Surkhandarya Region; Behzod Yoldoshev is president of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences; People's Poet of Uzbekistan Muhammad Yusuf is deputy chairman of the Uzbek Writers Union and is also a member of the Central Electoral Commission; Alisher Otaboyev is the governor of Fergana Region; ex-finance minister Jamshid Sayfiddinov is the head of Cotton Bank]

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n a commentary broadcast in Uzbek TV's English-language news bulletin on 29th October, political observer Khayrulla Nuriddinov refuted Russian media suggestions that Uzbekistan had softened its stance on the Taleban merely because it had taken fright. Uzbekistan wishes to recreate the friendly relations it had with Afghanistan and accepts the Taleban's assurances that they do not intend to move northwards after they take control of the whole of Afghanistan. Uzbekistan still opposes the training of "extremists" and cultivation of drugs, but in regard to Taleban policies, it will not interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs. The following are excerpts from the commentary, English rendered as heard:

Meanwhile, the huge investments directed to our country, strivings by foreign business circles to cooperate with Uzbekistan are not to the liking of some of our opponents. In part, a number of foreign media (?quested) distorting facts about Uzbekistan. The situation in the country and the region as a whole are assessed as unstable both in political and economic spheres. The main reason for that, according to foreign journalists, is allegedly the Taleban movement. Our political observer Khayrulla Nuriddinov has prepared a commentary on that subject. Here is translation of that material.

Mass media has always had food for meditation. It is not a rarity when journalists are to be found to seek cheap food. Army journalist by self and, I hope that my colleagues, will not resent my comments. They have been necessitated by some mass media representatives of Russia, in particular to the effect of how fast Uzbekistan has changed its attitude to the Talibs.

The essence of this material lies in the fact that official Tashkent, which quite recently was believed to be an avid advocate of the movement calling itself Taleban - on having become convinced that the Talibs in Afghanistan were confidently gaining strength - suddenly declared it allegedly did not object to friendship with them. To put it in a nutshell, Uzbekistan has allegedly got frightened. What does that fright mean? For everybody knows that man frightened to death by something begins to rush about but just with one aim, to seek some support or aid somewhere. Is not it worth remembering who at present are spreading abroad allegedly vivid threat from south, and are setting all kinds of coalitions in rebuff to this, to say, threat? The mass media of which countries, at front pages of their newspapers and television news, and I dare to say, these were persistently and purposefully, sow fears about Talibs intrusion to southern borders of the CIS republics?

In any case not Uzbekistan, of course. It has not got frightened. What is the reason? The answer can be found by remembering that those same Talibs, at the end of 1998, came to the borders with Uzbekistan. And by today, on the other side of Hayratan bridge, which separates Uzbekistan and Afghanistan can be seen the town, which is also called Hayratan, and there are Talibs peaceful and quiet, busy with their own business. Then a question arises, why will not the foreign journalists calm down and why will not Uzbekistan think of recreating the former friendship with Afghanistan either.

The Taleban movement can actually take power into its hand in Afghanistan. Moscow has got scared again. But the present scare does not, by far, look like the scare of 1978. Then the centre [Moscow] got frightened of its considerable weakening of its influence on Afghanistan. And now, most likely, some forces in Russia, taking advantage of the present situation, want and ascertain their influence on, already, their ex-private domain, Uzbekistan, if you like it, on Central Asia as a whole.

Namely with this end in view, at definite institutions of Moscow, all kinds of articles about alleged threats of Talibs are skilfully fabricated; frightening by this the nations living in that region so that brothers Uzbeks came out with, so to say, a petition and fell on knees. Help they say, to rescue from the Afghan. Another track is used simultaneously by intensifying the fears to create in every way possible military and other blocs and draw in Uzbekistan there, thus involving it in the war against Talibs, that is against Afghanistan, repeating by that the history of 1979.

Therefore Uzbekistan does not want to involve in any war, all the more is not going to yield from outside influence. And it's clear why Uzbekistan did not approve, at its time, somebody's comments in Moscow regarding infliction of preventive blows on Talibs. For as to say it is clear even to the hedgehog that these blows would have been inflicted by either from the Uzbek or Tajik territories. That the neighbourhood of these countries with Talibs would have overgrown into vivid enmity, that would undoubtedly have ended by war against them.

And now about changes of position of official Tashkent. Talibs firmly declared that they are not intending to go with weapons further to the north after they take whole Afghanistan under their control. Uzbekistan in turn is confident that in this case it is not worth fighting against them. But it is not superfluous to emphasize that Uzbekistan remains an opponent of those ideas possessed by Talibs. Uzbekistan has more then once declared and declares that it's against the preparation of extremists and terrorists on Talibs' times and drugs are grown on their territories which are dependent on them. In this respect the official Tashkent is categorical: hence the conclusion that Uzbekistan's stand in respect to Talibs has changed.

Meanwhile, it is considered that the policy being conducted by the Talibs in Afghanistan is a matter of the Talibs themselves. (Uzbek TV)

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welve people, including leaders of an Islamic movement and a banned political party, went on trial Monday on charges of terrorism related to attacks in which at least 42 people were killed.

Only Ulughbek Makhmutov, Olimjon Abdulvahidov and Usman Shukurov are on the dock in Uzbekistan before Bakhtier Jamolov, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan. The other nine of the accused were being tried in absentia.

The charges were included in an indictment issued this month by the Republican general prosecutor's office charged the organizations with organizing the military incursion into the Surkhandarya and Tashkent regions in this summer and with carrying out bomb attacks in Tashkent in February 1999.

According to the prosecutor's office, criminal and subversive activities carried out in Uzbekistan between 1991 and 2000 had been committed under the leadership of the leaders of banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Salay Madaminov, Jumabay Khajiyev and Tahir Yoldashev.

The prosecutor's office said that under the mask of Islam they set up several extremist organizations and established contacts with international extremist organizations.

The prosecutor said Yoldashev and Khajiyev fled to Tajikistan in 1992, where they took part in operations against Tajik government forces. Seeking to set up an Islamic caliphate, they forged contacts with Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden and a Chechen field commander.

As a result of 17 attacks committed in the Namangan region by an armed group set up by Yoldashev and his supporters, eight people were killed, 24 received injuries of various degrees. Armed groups consisting of Yoldashev and his accomplices committed robberies against 12 families in Andizhan region, as a result of which seven people were killed and 19 received injuries of various degrees.

The prosecutor's office also said I had evidence of 19 slayings and 35 assaults carried out between 1991 and 1999 in the 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 the Surkhandarya and Tashkent regions were committed by groups under the leadership of Yoldashev, Khajiyev and Madaminov. The bomb attacks carried out in Tashkent in February 1999 killed 16 people and injured more than 100.

More than 15,000 witnesses and victims were questioned, more than 2,000 expert examinations were made during investigation.

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et another commercial station, Ozbegim Taronasi - which means `Uzbek Melodies' or, as sounds better, `Melodies of Uzbekistan', has gone on air in Tashkent, on 101 MHz. At the moment it is only broadcasting music and adverts, but, according to the station's director, it will in due course start broadcasting news and thematic programmes (notably, on legal subjects). The station is expected to attract listeners from amongst citizens of Tashkent aged between 17 and 45. It plans to draw its musical repertoire mostly from classical Uzbek music. The ratio of airtime devoted to the Uzbek language and the Russian language is, respectively, 75 per cent and 25 per cent."

We obtained this information from our fellow DX-enthusiast, Bernd Trutenau, from Vilnius, Lithuania, who quoted the 49th edition of the electronic newsletter "Inter-news Network Uzbekistan". (Voice of Russia "DX Club" web site on 24th October)

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he new Czech and German ambassadors to Uzbekistan have presented their credentials to the Uzbek president, Islam Karimov, on 25th October, `Khalq Sozi' newspaper reported the following day.

Czech envoy Jaroslav Ludva and German envoy Martin Hecker were received separately by President Karimov and discussed their countries' relations with Uzbekistan, the paper said.

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delegation from the Chinese committee for ethnic affairs led by its international department chairman, Mr Tevekcool Tiliwaldi), has visited Uzbekistan.

As was planned, they visited the International Cultural Centre. The guests were briefed on the activity of the centre, which since 1992 has been actively working to reinforce peace and accord in our country. Representatives of many ethnic cultural centres spoke about other activities of the centre.

The same day the delegation visited the Council of Friendship Societies and Uzbekistan's Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries.

The purpose of our visit is to strengthen relations between our countries' relevant committees and structures, and I am confident that the visit will be fruitful for both sides, Mr Tevekcool Tiliwaldi said in an interview with our programme. (October 30)

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rial has begun at the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan of Tohir Yoldosh, Jumaboy Khojiyev, Salay Madaminov, who organized subversive acts and instigated aggression on Uzbek territory, and of a group of people, who were directly involved in carrying out these crimes.

Considerable time has passed since the republic's prosecutor's office published in the press its indictment on this case. The indictment gives a brief summary of the crimes committed by the criminal group leaders since 1991. It says that the accused can attend the trial and enjoy their legal rights and answer before the law. The trial began today. Has the participation of those accused on the case been fully ensured? Deputy Prosecutor-General Erkin Qudratov says the following on this:

Qudratov: "In all 12 people, Tohir Yoldosh and other leaders of the criminal group, are being charged. The criminal case has been sent for consideration to the Supreme Court. Nine of the 12 defendants are on the wanted list and three will attend the trial. The rules of the legal proceedings were explained in the text of the indictment, which the prosecutor's office published in the press. It was explained that their participation in the trial meant that they used their rights and fulfilled their duties under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

"It should be also noted that it has become clear that after being published in the press the indictment reached Tohir Yoldoshev and the others. Recently Tohir Yoldoshev appeared on radio BBC saying that he had been in charge of the subversive and terrorist acts in Surkhandarya and Tashkent Regions. This shows that they are aware of the essence of the accusation. The case will be considered at the Supreme Court on 30th October this year. This has been reported by the press. The press also reported how they can use their rights and what their duties are. I repeat once again that it is open trial, they can take part in it, they can come and attend it, can have defence lawyers. Even if they are not present, under the Criminal Code their criminal case will be considered in their absence, the state will provide a defence lawyer."

Indeed, Part 3 Article 410 of the Criminal Code in force says that a case can be considered in the absence of the defendant in case if he is beyond the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan and has refused to attend the trial and if his absence does not prevent the truth from being established. It should be noted that during the investigation those accused were provided with the right of defence. A total of 12 people are being charged in the trial today, but only three people are present behind bars. One of them is a citizen of Uzbekistan, Ulughbek Mahmudov, and the two others are citizens of Tajikistan.

The indictment by the prosecutor's office is reflected in four books, 2,000 pages in all. The criminal case passed on to the court includes 258 volumes. This alone shows that the crimes committed by the members of the criminal group are very serious and grave. (Uzbek TV, October 30)

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еформа и модернизация узбекских вооруженных сил привели к назначению на должность министра обороны Узбекистана гражданского человека - ученого-физика, академика Академии наук Узбекистана Кадыра Гулямова.

Смена министра обороны, которая произошла 29 сентября, по словам самого нового министра Кадырова: "не связано с тем, что к бывшему министру генерал-лейтенанту Юрию Агзамову имелись какие либо притензии". По словам Кадырова, бывший министр Юрий Агзамов продолжил свою работу в качестве главного инспектора Вооруженных сил в Министерстве обороны Узбекистана.

Назначение на высший военный пост гражданского человека, что стало первым случаем в СНГ, Секретарь Совета Национальной безопасности Узбекистана Миракбар Рахманкулов объяснил тем, что проводимая в Узбекистане реформа вооруженных сил отводит новую роль министерству обороны и назначение гражданского человека имеет цель "установить гражданский контроль за ходом военного строительства в государ- стве", - сказал Рахманкулов.

Теперь министерство обороны как орган исполнительной власти будет больше заниматься административными делами: реализовывать государственную политику, которая будет формироваться Олий Мажлисом - Парламентом страны, будет заниматься административным планированием, бороться за денежные ресурсы и стремиться к более эффективному расходованию выделенных средств на оборону, заниматься подготовкой кадров.

А военные, боевые задачи, как сказал Рахманкулов, будет решать Объединенный штаб, он будет осуществлять управление Вооруженными силами, оперативное стратегическое планирование всех боевых операций и задач. Объединенный штаб, который был создан для совершенствования системы управления Вооруженными силами на стратегическом уровне, будет руководить всеми видами и родами войск, является единым командным органом, в него входят не толь- ко подразделения министерства обороны, но и пограничные войска, внутренние войска.

Реформы в узбекской армии необходимы, по словам Рахманкулова, для обеспечения максимальной боеготовности вооруженных сил в случае любой агрессии. Как сказал Рахманкулов "нельзя исключать, что будут повторены попытки проникнове- ния новых групп боевиков на узбекскую территорию".

Проводимые реформы, по заявлению высшего военного руководства, носят сугубо оборонительный характер. Однако, как отметил Ислам Каримов: "У нас уже сегодня самая сильная армия в Средней Азии, теперь она будет еще сильнее. Это будет армия спецчастей, армия малочисленная, но мощная. Ударная армия. Впрочем, это не значит, что мы намерены воевать за пределами своих границ. Я как президент говорю: наши солдаты в Кабуле воевать не будут."

Реформа, кроме создания единой системы управления всеми видами и родами войск, затронула старую, советскую систему комплектования и организации войск. Теперь основу узбекской армии составляет боевая группа из 14 человек, три группы сводятся в взвод, который оснащается артиллерией, в том числе самоходками, танками, огнеметами.

Следующее звено - батальоны. В каждом из пяти созданных в стране военных особых округов дислоцируется два-три батальона и их техника. Кроме того, по американскому образцу создаются подразделения "рейнджеров" - два таких батальона уже разме- щены на южной границе и проявили себя вполне боеспособными в столкновениях с боевиками Исламского движения Узбекистана.

Для действий на реке Амударья, которая разделяет Узбекистана и Афганистан, соз- дана "морская пехота" с мощными понтонными частями, амфибиями и артиллерийскими катерами.

Полным ходом идет и перевооружение армии. Согласно подписанному между Узбекистаном и Россией договору о военном и военно-техническом сотрудничестве предполага- ется осуществление более 20 проектов конкретного военного сотрудничества.

В частности, с помощью России Узбекистан заново создает систему ПВО - противо- воздушной обороны. На сегодняшний день армия республики располагает достаточно мощными зенитными ракетными комплексами, а также комплексами "Точка".

Еще один аспект российско-узбекского сотрудничества связан с вертолетами - естественно, российского образца. Ведутся работы по созданию совместного предприятия для ремонта вертолетов и другой авиатехники. На Украине организован ремонт узбекской бронетехники.

А совсем недавно Ташкент заключил договор о военно-техническом сотрудничестве с Китаем. После визита в Китай теперь уже бывшего министра обороны страны Юрия Агзамова Узбекистану была поставлена партия снайперских винтовок, бронежилеты.

В Китае также состоялась еще одна важная встреча - узбекская военная делегация впервые вошла в контакт с представителями турецкого генштаба. В результате в начале октября входе визита Министра иностранных дел Турции в Ташкент обсуждались вопросы поставок в Узбекистан снаряжения натовского образца из Турции.

Перевооружившись, узбекская армия планирует также переобуться и перодеться. В качестве головных уборов были выбраны натовские каски -- более удобные и легкие, чем каски советского производства. Армия уже переобувается в апробированную солдатами НАТО и Израиля спецобувь, которая выдерживает 70-градусную жару. Такие ботинки начали производить на узбекско-российском СП "ВИСО".

Несмотря на следование многим образцам армии НАТО, узбекские военные по-прежнему не считают зазорным поучиться у своих российских коллег. В ходе визита в Россию официальной узбекской военной делегации во главе с министром обороны Узбекистана генерал-лейтенантом Юрием Агзамовым в Москве были подписаны двусторонние соглашения, предусматривающие активизацию военных контактов двух стран.

В частности, заключено межправительственное соглашение о порядке предоставления Ташкенту российских военных полигонов для проведения стрельб силами и средствами ПВО Республики Узбекистан.

Кроме того, в высших военно-учебных заведениях России с 1 сентября приступили к обучению 70 военнослужащих из Узбекистана, в том числе 5 офицеров, которые пройдут 3-летнюю подготовку в Военной академии Генштаба ВС РФ.

Узбекистан проводя мирную политику невмешательства во внутреннии дела других стран видимо понял, что нужно быть вооруженным до зубов и быть готовым жестко подавить любую попытку потревожить мир внутри своей страны, чтобы и дальше продолжать свою мирную политику. (IWPR)

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езависимый Узбекистан полностью отказавшись от использования старой советской системы образования, и создавший собственную образовательную модель, на деле продемонстрировал неспособность обеспечить школы даже учебниками, а созданные учебные программы опытные учителя называют слабыми, с плохо продуманной методи- кой обучения.

Второй месяц нового учебного года в Узбекистане для многих родителей продолжает- ся в поисках школьных учебников. Книг катастрофически не хватает, так как полиграфические комбинаты просто не напечатали нужного объема книг для 6 млн. узбекистанских учеников.

По данным Министерства образования Узбекистана, по новым государственным стандар- там обучения, государство должно издать 1000 наименований учебников, но по данным того же министерства, обеспеченность учебниками по некоторым предметам составляет 50-60%.

"Мы создаем новые книги, но издательства не успевает их издавать, они испытывают проблемы с нехваткой бумаги, полиграфической краской, ведь все это закупается в соседних странах", - сказал Шомухтар Шомансуров начальник отдела учебников Министерства образования Узбекистана.

В результате дефицита книг в некоторых классах, в основном это касается областей в Узбекистане более половины учеников продолжают оставаться без книг. А для республики Каракалпакистан в составе Узбекистана, где уровень жизни особенно низок, характерна ситуация, когда около 90% учеников в классе не имеют учебников.

Ситуацию усложняет кроме дефицита учебников во многом и то, что книги теперь должны покупать своим детям сами родители. Бесплатно получают книги ученики 1-х классов, а также дети-инвалиды, сироты, дети из малообеспеченных семей.

А цены на учебники достаточно высоки и покупка комплекта учебников может составить сумму в несколько заработных плат родителя. Учебник английского языка для 2-го класса стоит 1000 сумов, для 6-го класса до 6000 сумов, при средней заработной плате в Каракалпакистане и по всему Узбе- кистану 10-15 тысяч сумов. А комплект учебников на одного ученика состоит мини- мум из 10 книг.

Но несмотря на проблемы с учебниками, государство упрямо продолжает настаивать на внедрении национальной программы обучения, и жестко приказало всем школам уничтожить книги изданные до 1995 года по методике обучения созданной еще советскими ученными.

"Я не могу уже 2 месяца найти учебник по ботанике за 5-ый класс, а в школьной библиотеке есть эти учебники но изданные по советской методике, так нам не дают их, как будто в ботанике что изменилось после того как Узбекистан стал независимым", - говорит Рамиля Ибатова из Ташкента, мама пятиклассницы.

Многих также как и Рамилю удивляет, что государство в лице Министерства образова- ния признает факт того, что не может обеспечить книгами, но в то же время запрещает пользоваться абсолютно всеми учебниками советского издательства, даже такими как: химия, физика, биология, анатомия.

"Когда мы поняли, что не в состоянии обеспечить детей новыми учебниками, то решили использовать старые, что делать мы обязаны давать детям образование. Но когда приезжает комиссия - нам достается, делают выговоры. Но ведь основы химии, физики, математики неизменны на века, это аполитично, и мы рады, что не успели уничтожить все книги", - говорит директор школы в Нукусе столице Каракалпакистана Бибайша Кетебаева.

По словам родительницы Рамили Ибатовой библиотекарь и в их школе заявила, что пусть ее посадят в тюрьму, но она раздаст недостающие книги детям.

Другим фактом нехватки государственных ресурсов на образование в Узбекистане стало постановление Министерства финансов о новой комлектации классов, в соответсвии с эти постановлением классы где обучаются менее 30 учеников расформировываются и учеников переводят в другие классы.

В результате в Джизакской области Узбекистана расформировано уже 700 классов, десятки учителей остались без работы, а оставшиеся учителя берутся за головы, как они будут учить классы, где сидят по 40-50 учеников. В одном из классов в городе Ангрен в 100 км. от Ташкента в одном классе оказались 56 учеников, и за 40 минут учитель должен дать знания этому огромному классу.

Независимый Узбекистан не хочет оставлять ничего, что могло бы напомнить о 70-летнем пребывании в составе Советского Союза, в школьных программах этот период называют колониальным, не употребляются слова "красный", "советс- кий", не изучаются творчества писателей этого периода. Но факты говорят тогда о странном историческом парадоксе - колонизаторы больше заботились об образова- нии детей "узбекской колонии", и не жалели денег и не мелочились, а открывали школы даже в далеких пастбищах для 5-10 детей пастухов.

А учебников было так много, что одной заботой родителей было получить учебник поновее, а библиотекари приглашали старшеклассников на помощь разобрать и собрать по порядку горы учебников.

"Но вы знаете, что от это ситуации в образовании больше всего пострадают именно узбекское население страны, - говорит Юрий Гершович, еврей по националь- ности, - ведь у нас русскоязычных по 1-2 ребенка, мы всегда найдем средства на их образование, а у узбеков по 5 детей, в основном они проживают в сельской местности, не будут они покупать им учебники по 5 000 сумов, именно они первые жерты этих реформ в образовании".

Министерство образования Узбекистана вполне заслуженно говорит о том, что государству, на 10-м году независимости стыдно не иметь своей системы образова- ния, пользоваться учебниками Советского строя, который с удовольствием критикуют сегодняшние государственники, но нельзя "не построив нового - разрушать старое", и правильнее признаться в неготовности обеспечить пока учебными материалами, чем вырастить поколение низкообразованных, безграмотных людей. (IWPR)

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лопковая кампания в Узбекистане по прежнему для тысячи студентов и учащихся школ означает отрыв от учебы и проведение более чем 2-х месяцев в холодных, сырых бараках, в конторских помещениях, где нет элементарных жилищных условий.

Государство заставляет студентов и школьников собирать хлопок, так как более 80% узбекского хлопка собирается ручным трудом, а студенты и школьники являются дешевой рабочей силой, на которых у государства есть безотказный механизм давления - отказ от сбора хлопка грозит отчислением от учебы.

По словам чиновников управления Джизакской области, хоким этой области сказал, что никто из студентов или школьников не должен быть освобожден от сбора хлопка даже по состоянию здоровья, мы найдем работу даже роженице, сказал хоким.

Хлопок для Узбекистана аграрной республики является стратегическим сырьем, обеспечивающим поступление валюты в республику. По данным Министерства внешне- экономических связей /МВЭС/, в настоящее время Узбекистан занимает 2-ое место в мире по экспорту хлопка после США, и 5-ое место в мире по производству хлопка.

Низкие урожаи хлопка последних лет, связанные с неблагоприятными природными условиями в Узбекистане и падение мировых цен на хлопок ошутимо сократили доходы Узбекистана от экспорта хлопка. Та по данным МВЭС в 1999 году, когда цены на хлопок упали до рекордно низкой цены 44 цента за фунт Узбекистан на экспорте почти 1 млн. тонн хлопка заработал всего $887 млн США, в то время как в 1997 году Узбекистан продал примерно такой же объем хлопка за $1,5 млрд. США.

Падение мировых цен, низкие урожаи хлопка, видимо заставляют узбекских руководителей для получения максимальной прибыли сокращать до возможного предела себестоимость производимого хлопка, они установили очень низкие закупочные цены колхозам-производителям. Так если государство закупает у колхоза тонну хлопка- сырца за 185 тысяч сумов/$230 по курсу черного рынка/, то продает тонну хлопка-волокна на мировом рынке за $1600 США.

Поэтому несправедливо обманутые государством колхозы для экономии средств, отказались от найма на сбор хлопка сезонных рабочих, которыми с удовольствием хотели бы оказаться тысячи узбекских безработных, а пользуются более дешевым трудом студентов и школьников.

В Джизакской области в настоящее время на полях трудятся 25 000 школьников, в возрасте от 12 до 16 лет, и более 3-х тысяч студентов высших и средне- специальных учебных заведений. Они живут в неприспособленных для нормального проживания условиях, порой это обтянутое брезентом помещение, установленное у хлопкового поля, там нет не только горячей воды, а даже воды для питья, воду привозят на водовозах. Но установлена ежедневная норма сбора хлопка - собрать 70 кг. хлопка.

Проживание на открытом воздухе в холодное осеннее время, и вынужденные купания прямо на улице, так как хлопкоробов-поневоле не возят в бани по несколько неде- ль, а также скудное некачественное питание заканчивается для многих ухудшением состояния здоровья.

Надира Кадырова студентка 2-го курса индустриального техникума Джизака после нескольких дней на сборе хлопка почувствовала сильное недомогание, болела голо- ва, но преподаватели не разрешили ей остаться в бараке. В этот день Надира не смогла выполнить норму по хлопку, после этого ее вызвали в штаб, где сильно отругали и унизили, и тогда девушка решила сброситься в канаву, к счастью ее спасли проходившие мимо студенты.

Случаи самоубийств среди студентов на сборе хлопка к сожалению не единичны, в этом году в Сsрдарьинской области Узбекистана один из студентов покончил жизнь самоубийством, возможно совместное проживание обострило отношения внутри студен- тов, и возможно если бы хлопок парень продолжал бы жить.

По мнению адвоката Любовь Матициной, вывоз студентов и школьников на сбор хлопка является прямым нарушением Конвенции ООН по правам ребенка, которую Узбекистан подписал в 1993 году, а также других законодательных актов, принятых самим узбекским государством.

"В соответсвии со всеми эти документами ребенок до 14 лет должен работать только с разрешения родителей, в свободное от учебы время, с 15 лет ребенок может даже получить трудовую книжку, но опять же может работать с разрешения родителей, а во время сбора хлопка такое разрешение дает директор школы, хоким", - сказала Любовь Матицина.

По словам Матициной вывоз детей и студентов на хлопок нарушает права ребенка на учебу, ведь в районах Узбекистана во время хлопковой страды школы закрывают- ся по сути в школах остаются только начальные классы, которые тоже не учатся так как их учителя находятся на хлопковых полях.

Нарушается право ребенка на отдых, на здоровье. По словам Матициной, "дети, а в некоторых областях Узбекистана на полях работают даже 8-летнии школьники, не знают много, что не надо садиться на мокрую землю, простужаются, особенно девочки, в это время усиливается заболеваемость геппатитом, он идет с полей".

По словам Матициной, если бы кто-нибудь из родителй подал бы в суд за принуди- тельный вывоз на хлопок, то это дело бы оказалось бы 100% выигрышным. В городе Чирчик родители 8-го класса подали в суд на хокима и их детей оставили, но по прежнему забирают на хлопок с 9,10,11 классы.

В тоже время государство уже несколько лет на хлопок не забирает студентов, учеников из столицы - Ташкента, по мнению Матициной, так как здесь находятся представительства международных организаций, и вывоз на хлопок не пройдет бес- следно, и здесь лучше люди знают свои права.

А в Джизакской области заставили всех школьников написать заявления, что добровольно хотят собирать хлопок.

Причем ни в одном учреждении Узбекистана не фиксируется, что происходит вывоз студентов и учащихся на хлопок, есть только изъявившие желание помочь республике.

По словам Любови Матициной в разговоре с ней один высокопоставленный чиновник сказал ей, что это святой долг ребенка помочь стране собрать хлопок, "я его спросила, а разве это не является и вашим святым долгом, помогите ребенку".

Урожай 2000 года, по плану это 3,9 млн. тонн, во многом зависит от студентов и школьников, они не уйдут с полей, так как боятся быть отчисленными, и колхозы будут сражаться за урожай, так как иначе с них очень строго спросят, но даже если план будет выполнен и республика получит свой хлопок, то ничего не изменит- ся в жизни тех, кто сейчас в холодную погоду ходит и руками собирает хлопок, они не стануь богаче и не станут здоровее.

Студенты и школьники вернутся догонять упущенное за время хлопка, колхозники также будут перебиваться с копейки на копейку, а государство так и не скажет на что потратит деньги за выращенный и собранный ими хлопок, государство не считает нужным отчитываться перед ними. (IWPR)

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yrgyz President Askar Akayev has said in an interview for Uzbek TV that Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan can defeat the forces of "terrorism and extremism" in Central Asia by working together.

"I want to mention another main aspect of our friendly relations; we, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, have recently fought terrorism and extremism together extremely efficiently. This means I now have a great deal of confidence that Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan together will put an end to terrorism and extremism and conquer them in Central Asia," Akayev said in an interview for Uzbek Television, broadcast on 26th October.

Akayev also said friendly ties between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan had entered a new phase following Uzbek President Islam Karimov's last visit to Kyrgyzstan, in September 2000.

"I would not be wrong in saying that we have brought the friendly and brotherly relations and cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan into a new phase during Uzbek President Islam Karimov's latest official visit to Kyrgyzstan," Akayev said.

He praised Karimov's role in maintaining building friendly relations between the Uzbek and Kyrgyz people, saying he played a great role in reinforcing the friendship in 1990s.

"The friendship between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and their people passed many tests in the 1990s. I reiterate this continuously: Uzbek President Islam Karimov's role was of special significance and was particularly great in strengthening the friendly relations between the two fraternal nations in the 1990s. We met many times in Osh [southern Kyrgyz town populated by ethnic Uzbeks] and in Bishkek and made many efforts to reinforce the friendship between the two nations. The Kyrgyz people and Kyrgyzstan will never forget the role of his excellency, esteemed president of the Republic of Uzbekistan, my respected friend, Islam Karimov," Akayev said.

"I believe Uzbekistan will be a special country for us in the 21st century. Kyrgyzstan can develop only through friendship and cooperation with Uzbekistan," Akayev said.

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bservations show that rodents, in particular rats, are on the increase in Uzbek eastern of Fergana valley. Experts say that the rodents might seriously injure people's health and spread diseases.

Rats are damaging not only people's food, but seriously injuring them as well. A report received from the Region's orthopaedics and casualty clinics say that there have been 12 cases of people suffering from mouse or rat bites in the last 10 days.

Small girl speaking in a hospital: "I was sleeping and a mouse bit my hand. I felt something biting at night, and when I switched the light on I saw it was a mouse."

Woman in hospital: "I do not know whether she was in a maize field or not, but we heard her crying and when we got close to her we saw a rat was biting her, and we caught and killed it."

It is alarming that the number of such cases is growing. Experts of the Regional centre for rabies prevention say that rodents might cause the spread of rabies.

Zokirjon Alimov, a physician: "The source of this disease is rodents, and people should immediately should consult a doctor if they are bitten by rodents."

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report from the Uzbekistan Supreme Court press service says that on 30th October the trial of [the leaders of the banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan] Tohir Yoldosh, Jumaboy Khojiyev and [the leader of the banned Erk Democratic Party] Salay Madaminov [alias Muhammad Solih], who organized terrorist and subversive acts on Uzbek territory and the people who directly took part in these crimes, begins at the Supreme Court.

R. Turayev, a prosecutor: "As you know, the Supreme Court has released to the media a report in various languages about the opening date of the current case. The fact that one of the members of this criminal group, Tohir Yoldosh, expressed his views in an interview to Radio Liberty about the indictment, proves that the accused know its content. In particular, he admitted the cases of terrorist acts in the Surkhandarya and Tashkent Regions of our republic."

If a particular defendant does not appear in court, what will the trial procedure be?

Turayev: "We know that nine of the accused are hiding abroad so they will not be at the trial. But we have reported through the mass media that they must attend. The Supreme Court will provide state barristers even if they do not attend the trial."

A deputy prosecutor-general, Erkin Qudratov said that the accused knew the content of the indictment but added: "Recently Tohir Yoldosh spoke to BBC Radio and stressed that he supervised terrorist and subversive acts in Surkhandarya and Tashkent Regions."

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zbek President Islam Karimov received a Japanese delegation headed by the chief advisor to Japan's Mitsui corporation and the chairman of the Uzbek-Japanese economic cooperation committee, Naohiko Kumagai, at the Oqsaroy residence on 27th October.

The delegation of Japanese businessmen led by Kumagai is in Uzbekistan for a joint meeting in Tashkent of the Uzbek-Japanese and Japanese-Uzbek economic cooperation committees.

Congratulating the guests on the successful conclusion of the meeting, the president was pleased to point out that Japanese businessmen's interest were taking a growing interest in promoting cooperation with Uzbekistan. Islam Karimov said that though these committees had been set up to develop economic ties, their scale of activities was broader and involved not only the economy, but also the social and cultural fields.

Expressing their gratitude to the Uzbek leader for the warm reception, the guests emphasized that the work of the committees was useful for bilateral partnership. An exchange of opinions on further developing trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan and Japan was also held during the talks.

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he new US ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentary to Uzbekistan, a career diplomat, John Edward Herbst, has arrived in Uzbekistan. Ambassador Herbst was nominated by President Clinton in February this year and on 8th September the US Senate endorsed Herbst's nomination.

For the last three years he has worked as the US consul general in Jerusalem. Prior to that he worked at the State Department as principal deputy to the US ambassador at large for the newly independent states, director of the Office of Independent States and Commonwealth Affairs, and director of regional affairs in the Near East Asia Bureau. He has also served at the US embassies in Tel Aviv, Moscow and Saudi Arabia.

John Edward said in a speech at the welcome ceremony at Tashkent airport that he was pleased to be working on Uzbek soil and amongst other things said the following:

Ambassador Herbst: "I am very pleased to have been appointed as a new US worker in Tashkent. It is a great honour for me to be the chief representative of my country in Uzbekistan.

"In the past few years relations between the USA and Uzbekistan in their bilateral national interests, that is, in fighting terrorism, preventing drug addiction and the spread of the evil of drugs, have been deepening and developing even more.

"I hope to cooperate with you wohleheartedly in this and other fields. Peace and calm in Uzbekistan is an important part of Central Asian peace and calm. Our policies are aimed at these objectives." (Uzbek Radio)

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n the instruction of the [Uzbek] government, 420 kg of narcotic substances, including 265 kg of heroin, 117 kg of opium, 16.6 kg of hashish, 16.9 kg of marijuana, as well as psychotropic preparations in the form of pills and ampoules, have been burned in the presence of the state commission, representatives from international organizations and journalists.

According to the law-enforcement agencies' information, armed gangs of drug dealers stepped up their operations on the Uzbek-Afghan border substantially in the first six months of this year. Under cover of armed provocations, they are workingout new routes for drugs transit. Since the beginning of this year, there have been four cases of bandit formations attempting to break through the state border from the adjacent territory [Afghanistan] in order to smuggle a large quantity of drugs. Border guards foiled their attempts.

The republic's law-enforcement agencies discovered 134 cases of using vehicles to transport drugs illegally in the first six months of this year. Using women to smuggle drugs by air is becoming routine (15 cases). About 12kg of narcotics were seized from them.

Since the beginning of this year 5,030 drug-related crimes have been registered in the republic and 761.6 kg of narcotics have been seized. Of this, 31.2 per cent was heroin. In all 328.15 kg of drugs were seized from 399 foreign citizens. The subdivisions for fighting illegal circulation of drugs in the Internal Affairs Ministry and National Security Service have foiled 1,384 such crimes. Over this period, 526 kg of narcotics were withdrawn from illegal circulation. Moreover, experts note a growth in the number of hard drugs.

In all 3,723 people were convicted of drug-related crimes, which is 11 per cent up on the same period in 1999.

In the first six months of this year 2,462 drug addicts were registered by the republic's drug-abuse services. The total number of registered drug addicts is 12,452, whilst another 3,644 potential addicts are undergoing preventive treatment.

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three-day visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan by leader of Yisra'el Ba'aliya, Natan Sharansky, at the invitation of the country's president, Islam Karimov, has come to an end. The visit was of special importance since it took place precisely at the time when anti-Semitism in the world, and in the Islamic countries in particular, reached an unprecedented level. Today, Uzbekistan turned out to be the only Islamic country which refused to support the anti-Israeli resolution at the United Nations and, therefore, conducting negotiations with the country's leadership is of paramount importance.

During his meeting with the president of Uzbekistan, Natan Sharansky informed him of the situation in the Middle East and discussed various versions of resolving the explosive situation which, through Arafat's fault, has now engulfed the entire region. He also analyzed the role of each concrete state.

"The discussions with Karimov lasted for two hours instead of the planned hour. We discussed in detail the processes now taking place in the Islamic world and in the Middle East, which are closely linked with Israel, Russia and the United States. Such discussions represent an exclusively important channel for the exchange and transmission of information, and we simply had to use it in the current situation," said Natan Sharansky.

The Yisra'el Ba'aliya leader stressed that, at the time when all our so-called European allies supported the anti-Israeli UN resolution, Uzbekistan, an active and influential member of the Islamic Conference, has demonstrated - not in word, but in deed - that it is a true friend of Israel.

According to Sharansky, in the course of the discussion Islam Karimov promised to use his influence for softening possible anti-Israeli reaction of the ten-state forum which includes the former Central Asian republics of the USSR, Turkey and Iran. Sharansky observed that contacts with President Karimov were of special importance since the leader of Uzbekistan is one of the very few Islamic country leaders who carry on a tough struggle against Islamic fundamentalism and extremism while still observing the traditions and religion of their people. It should be noted that Sharansky made every effort to clarify this position of Uzbekistan in the West and opened to Uzbekistan many doors to Western society.

Sharansky also met Uzbek Finance Minister Rustam Azimov and Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov. (Israeli newspaper 'Novosti Nedeli', October 27)

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he Commission on Juvenile Affairs set up under the [Uzbek] Cabinet of Ministers held a sitting at the Prosecutor-General's Office. The Commission was set up as a result of a Cabinet of Ministers resolution on 21st September this year on improving the work of local commissions on juvenile affairs, so as to tackle the affairs of minors and defend their rights.

The commission's chairman, Uzbek Prosecutor-General Rashidjon Qodirov, delivered a speech at the sitting. Minors make up almost 50 per cent of the country's population. Statistically speaking, more than 263,000 minors are out of school and unemployed. The speaker harshly criticized the present state of juvenile education, upbringing, social protection and health. Evidence was produced that the commission's branches in the localities were carrying out their tasks merely to make an impression on officialdom.

The speaker laid particular emphasis on shortcomings in public education, the poor state of pre-school and education facilities and the shortage of school text-books. He noted that 49 per cent of the republic's schools had not as yet been supplied with gas and that 228 schools were in crisis. Text-books are provided for only 56 per cent of pupils. These are merely figures in the speaker's report - the real situation is worse than this.

The meeting thoroughly analyzed the motives of and circumstances leading to juvenile crime, drug addiction and the spread of religious extremism amongst minors.

Those present at the sitting were shown a documentary on juvenile life filmed by the "Qonun himoyasida" [Under legal protection] TV crew of the republican Prosecutor's Office which helped them to realize and perceive the existing problems.

The sitting heard reports by senior