Uzbekistan, he said, has never allowed its territory to be used for armed attacks on neighboring countries and never would. Rakhmonkulov spoke after reports in the Russian newspaper Isvestya and the London Daily Telegraph that the United States was seeking Uzbek support to mount retaliatory attacks on bin Laden's bases. The exiled Saudi is considered to have been involved in numerous terrorist attacks on U.S. targets, including the bombing of the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in which more than 200 people were killed.

During a news conference Wednesday, Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov said the Taliban regime in Afghanistan had not responded positively to Uzbekistan's request for extradition of Tahir Yuldash, recently tried in absentia and condemned to death by the Uzbek Supreme Court. Yuldash, who is known to have a base in Afghanistan, is a senior leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan that seeks the overthrow of the regime of President Islam Karimov and the creation of an Islamic theocratic state in its place.

Over the past two summers, the IMU has launched armed incursions into Uzbekistan and neighboring Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Komilov said that when it comes to terrorists, Uzbekistan does not accept the Taliban's argument that it cannot lift the immunity of guests in its country. Komilov also said the extradition issue had no connection with Uzbekistan supplying the Afghanistan city of Mazar-i-Sharif with electricity. According to the Taliban newspaper 'Shariat' Uzbekistan had demanded Yuldash be handed over as a condition for resuming supplying electricity.

Top

news conference took place on Wednesday at the Uzbek president's press service. The secretary of the National Security Council, Mirakbar Rahmonqulov, and Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov attended the conference.

The news conference was aimed at refutation of various talks and rumors about the alleged escalation of the situation in Central Asia. Secretary Rakhmanqulov denied the reports on international media that Uzbekistan had agreed to the use of its territory by the United States to strike ben Laden's positions in Afghanistan in response to his involvement in the recent explosion of the U.S. "Cole" military ship. Rahmanqulov also said that Uzbekistan and the United States hadn't even had consultations over this issue and considered the reports as a provocation aimed at the destabilization of the U.S.-Uzbek relations.

One such report was carried by the Russian newspaper 'Izvestiya', the author of which was Gennadiy Charodeyev, wrote as though the Pentagon was planning to make use of Russia and the southern CIS states to launch air strikes against terrorist camps in Afghanistan, and as though Tashkent, Bishkek and Astana had agreed to this suggestion, while Russia had not yet replied.

Mirakbar Rahmonqulov: "As an official who is authorised to make official statements on behalf of the Uzbek government, I must say that this provocative report is aimed at making relations between states, above all between Uzbekistan and the USA, difficult. Uzbekistan has never had talks with any state on this issue. The territory of our state will never be a place from which strikes will be launched against our neighbours."

Top

Another question from journalists was about an incident on the Uzbek-Kazakh border in which Uzbek frontier guards had to use weapons against smugglers after they had attempted to cross illegally. The answer to this question was that Uzbekistan would guard its borders with neighbouring states in order to maintain peace, and that the frontiers should only be crossed at legal points, in keeping with international law.

Top

Top

"We insist that Afghanistan should not pose any threat to Uzbekistan's security. But Afghanistan has not given any guarantees on this aspect", the minister pointed out.

Top

he government of Uzbekistan has given permission recently to those who have received higher education abroad to be employed in professional jobs.

It must be said that degrees awarded by Tajikistan's universities have been declared invalid in Uzbekistan, and most of the residents of Uzbekistan who graduated from Tajikistan's universities have been barred from employment in their professional work. The ban now seems to have been lifted, although some conditions still remain. Our correspondent in Samarkand [southwestern Uzbekistan] reports on the subject.

The newspaper 'Marifat', a publication produced by Uzbekistan's Ministry of Education, has carried an article saying that there is now no barrier against those who received a special or higher education in other countries' higher educational establishments and gained degrees outside Uzbekistan.

Resolution No 283, adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan on 25th July this year, approved a procedure for recertifying degrees obtained in other countries.

The document says that all those who graduated from Tajikistan's educational establishments after 1st January 1992 and live in Uzbekistan should apply to the Test Centre to have their degrees recertificated. Special departments will also be set up under the regional national education directorates to approve school-leaving certificates.

Uzbekistan's educational establishments used not to recognize the degrees of those who graduated from Tajikistan's universities. Now those who have such degrees may submit documents to take exams in the subjects [required by Uzbekistan] that they had not studied in order to recertificate their degrees, in other words, to make their degrees equal to the degrees awarded by Uzbekistan's universities.

Top

Transport-forwarding companies that will transport the freight resulting from tender contracts with foreign suppliers will be selected through competition. Tenders will not take place if the conditions for granting foreign credits under government guarantee and grants specify different purchasing methods.

Regulations on the subject have been approved, and ministries, government departments and enterprises have been instructed to follow them when making purchases for their own use.

The new order will create the basis for more effective use of foreign credits and grants, develop competition between domestic and foreign suppliers, and attract more small and medium-size businesses to supply goods.

Top

At a time when various factors threaten the region, many foreign media are spreading slanders and accusations against Uzbekistan's dignity or circulating illogical reports. Any person who reads or hears similar reports may automatically think that Central Asia is also becoming one of the world's hotspots.

The secretary of the Uzbek National Security Council, Mirakbar Rahmonqulov, made his statement for these reasons.

Top

"During the first few days, about 600 residents of Namangan expressed their wish to become COSCOM customers," the report said.

Top

Rasul Alimukhamedov told Reuters Commerzbank was expected to carry out a full evaluation of the monopoly by April 1 2001, and prepare for the sale of a 51 percent stake to a minimum of two potential strategic foreign investors.

Uzbekistan plans to sell 70 percent of Uzbektelecom, including at least 51 percent to a foreign investor. The state will retain the remaining 30 percent.

Top

Today every second Uzbek woman suffers from anemia (in rural areas - 70%).This is a result of their low living standards and social backwardness.One of the first slogans of independent Uzbekistan was 'Healthy Generation.' But the citizens' health has not improved since then.One of the reasons for the nation's bad health is malnutrition.Medical studies have proven that in 75% of cases an improved nutrition of mothers leads to producing healthy children.So the problem is malnutrition and incorrect diet of pregnant and lactating women.

In Uzbekistan, like in any other transitional country, the citizens' health is connected not only with malnutrition and low food quality but also with the existing customs and traditions, however strange it would seem.A young daughter-in-law occupies the lowest position in the hierarchy of an Uzbek family.She must to do all the housework and cook food from products given by her mother-in-law.A young pregnant woman can not buy food products she wants and cook separate food for herself.The basic foods in rural areas remain bread and tea.A young woman who gets insufficient nutrition and sleep cannot be healthy.Before marriage her parents often do not allow her to see a doctor for fear she will never marry if people know she went to doctors.A large number of early marriages negatively affect women's health as well.

Unemployment, heavy work, and the low social status of women are the reasons for their bad health.Women are also forced not to wear European-like clothes in favor of traditional Uzbek dressing.Different Uzbek television channels give time to teachers of educational institutions, chairpersons of women's committees, and state officials praising the beauty of traditional Uzbek garments and condemning women wearing European-style mini skirts.

On November 12 TV-4, an Uzbek television channel, broadcasting in Tashkent and Tashkent province, organized a roundtable discussion with the participation of a pro-rector of the State Economic University wearing a traditional dress from Uzbek atlas, the chairperson of the City Women's Committee, chairpersons of women's committees, teachers and students of Tashkent universities.Over half an hour they discussed the topic: may the 'modest and shy' Uzbek young woman expose her neck, arms, and hips.University teachers praised the beauty of the traditional Uzbek garment and spoke against the blind following of western fashion.A woman participating in the discussion asked: "Why do western people not wear Uzbek clothes if we wear theirs?"

Such televisions programs and newspaper articles testify to the growing trend of isolationism in Uzbekistan.An information vacuum in Uzbekistan is only strengthening this trend both at the level of the state and common citizens.This information vacuum is filled with such issues as what clothes young women should wear.Despite this 'dressing' campaign being ridiculous and failing to present any serious and convincing arguments and recommendation, it is rather dangerous.It testifies to the growing conservative trends in Uzbek society rejecting everything that comes from outside, including ideas that would be helpful for the country's development.Control of clothes is another way to restrict the freedom of personality.This dangerous way leads to stagnation and an abyss of prohibitions typical of despotism.

Top

Exhibition director Faizulla Khodzhayev has told Itar-Tass that craftsmen of the Jewellery House of Russia company of world renown have brought their handicrafts to Tashkent.

On display will be also table sets made from silver, clocks with a jewellery-studded design, handicrafts from precious metals as well as collection materials and accessories. A Crystal Dress fashion festival has also been arranged within the framework of the exhibition.

Top

The Uzbek national amputee football team returned from the World Cup in the United States. The team of Uzbekistan made up of players from the "Baynal-Minal" club held the fourth place. The team lost to the world champion, Brazil, 1:2, to Ukraine - 1:2 that became the third in the World Cup and to Russia by 3:4 that eventually became the silver medallist. Uzbekistan's victories were over England - 2:0, the USA - 9:1, Canada - 2:0 and Moldova - 3:1. After the tournament the Uzbek team played a show match against the World Team and beat it by 7:1. The only goal from the World team came from Uzbek player Sultanmurat Utauliev. Another Uzbek player Aziz Abdurakhmanov was named "Best Player of the Tournament".

Top

he Millennium Cup football tournament will be held as scheduled in India early next year despite a revolt within the country's football body, it was announced on Wednesday.

The 16-nation event, India's biggest football extravaganza, will be played in Goa, Cochin and Calcutta from January 10-25, embattled Indian football chief Priyaranjan Das Munshi said.

The tournament was widely believed to be a non-starter because of organisational and sponsorship problems, but Munshi insisted alternative arrangements had been worked out. "It is the biggest football event not only in India, but Asia as a whole," he said. "I will make sure it comes off."

Munshi faces a strong challenge to his leadership of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) after nine top clubs pulled out of the National League earlier this month and formed the rival Indian Premier Football Association (IPFA). These clubs have refused to release their players for the Millennium Cup, but Munshi said the country's best footballers would be fielded.

South American giants Chile, Uruguay and Colombia lead the field which includes Cameroon, Iceland, Yugoslavia and Hong Kong, Munshi said. Other teams in the fray are Indonesia, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Trinidad and hosts India.

Munshi said Japan was the 16th team, but if its confirmation was not received by next week, Bosnia would be drafted in.

Chile's World Cup stars Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas, besides Manchester United's Trinidadian hero Dwight Yorke, are expected to join their national teams for the tournament, Munshi said. The draw for the 32-match tournament would take place before Christmas, he added.

The 16 teams will be divided into four groups, with the top two from each group qualifying for the quarter-finals. Calcutta's 100,000-seater Salt Lake stadium would host the final on January 25, Munshi said.

Group A and B matches would be played in Cochin, Group C in Goa and Group D in Calcutta. Munshi's rivals in the AIFF and IPFA officials, however, scoff at his plans to organise the tournament.

"The Millennium Cup should be the last thing on the mind of the AIFF," said Calcutta's football official Ranjit Gupta.

"It better get its house in order first or Indian football will suffer even more than it already has."

An IPFA official added: "The AIFF can't organise domestic tournaments, how does anyone expect it to put on an international event of this magnitude." Munshi's first task, however, is to retain control of the faction-ridden AIFF. His leadership is being challenged by industrialist Sameer Thapar at next month's elections.

Top

zbek and French archaeologists have excavated a burial mound in Uzbekistan dating back to the 2nd or 1st century BC, the Russian news agency Interfax reported from Tashkent on Wednesday.

The agency said the tomb was of a queen of the ancient tribe of Sacae. It was discovered at the site of an ancient settlement named by the agency as Kuktepa. The mound contained three rooms, in one of which was the skeleton of a woman of 35-40 years old.

"Many details of the attire and accessories, which were made of precious metals and stones, show that a royal person was interred there," Interfax said. The French archaeologists had suggested the finds be temporarily removed to Paris for detailed investigation, it added.

Top