US redesignates Uzbek Islamic group as terror organization

Agence France Presse September 24 The United States redesignated the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), one of the most radical militant groups in Central Asia, as a foreign terrorist organization. It had claimed responsibility for July's deadly suicide bombings against the US and Israeli embassies, as well as Uzbekistan's prosecutor general's office in Tashkent. A US State Department statement said effective Friday, Secretary of State Colin Powell "hereby redesignates that organization as a Foreign Terrorist Organization pursuant to" the Immigration and Nationality Act. The decision was based on a review of IMU's activities and after consultations with other US officials, it said. The movement has claimed numerous kidnappings and armed incursions and was placed on the international terror list by the United States after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks at home. Uzbekistan is a US ally despite the hardline policies of President Islam Karimov and reports of torture in the country's notorious prison system. The IMU's principal declared aim is the overthrow of Karimov, who backed the US action against the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001 in exchange for receiving support against the IMU.