Uzbek National News Agency web site
August 30

Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg has invited Uzbek President Islam Karimov to attend ceremonies marking the anniversary of the terrorist acts [in the United states] on 11 September 2001.

During the commemoration ceremony, the mayor of New York will light the Eternal Flame at the place where the World Trade Centre used to locate.

In reply to Michael Bloomberg's letter, Karimov said that his working schedule did not allow him to attend this important function. The president assured the mayor that "the Uzbek people and I myself will be at the commemoration ceremony with you, courageous New Yorkers and the whole of American people, in our minds and hearts".

"This date has gone down in history of humankind as a `black day', as the day when evil forces mounted a formidable challenge to all peaceable people in the world. We have no right to forget the victims of the terrorist acts and should do everything in our power to ensure peaceful life and security of people and their confidence in tomorrow.

"Eternal Flame you will light in the evening on 11 September will become a symbol of the memory of the thousands of innocent people who perished in New York and Washington a year ago, a symbol of the heroism of the hundreds of New York firemen and rescuers, a symbol of the courage and unbending will of the American people.

"I believe that the ceremony and Eternal Flame will also symbolize unprecedented unity and cooperation of states and peoples in the world to fight and root out terrorism and secure peace and order that is based on mutual tolerance and aspiration to the progress," the president's message said.

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