he Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan announces:

With the aim of preventing any possible negative impact on the computer system of the republic's banks during the changeover to 2000 and in line with Cabinet of Ministers' instruction No 595F of 11th December 1999, 31st December of the current year has been declared a working day on which no balance sheet will be opened in the banking system. There will be no internal transactions or payment transactions at banks on 31st December 1999 and organizational and preparatory measures will be held that day for the work of computer systems in 2000.

Customer payments and other internal banking transactions will be completed by 2000 hours [1500 gmt] on 30th December 1999. Taking into account that 31st December 1999 is a working day without any customer services and in order to create conditions for handling budget and other payments from customers, on 27th-30th December the time for completing transactions at bank has been prolonged until 2000 hours.

regular meeting of the coordination council of the republic's law enforcement agencies discussed the progress of implementing the laws on the rights of defendants in the course of preliminary investigations of the court process, as well as the rights of those who are kept in remand centres, persons in prison and convicts. A report was delivered about the work being done in this direction and about existing problems.

Meanwhile, on the initiative of President Islam Karimov, sanctions on imprisonment and terms of imprisonment have been removed and reduced in a number of articles of the republic's Criminal Code. On the basis of this, at present 4,500 convicts have been released from prison. Besides this, the practice of introducing bail as a preventive measure is being applied in many cases during the investigation process, taking into account the personality of the defendants, and the social danger of the crimes committed.

As a result of the discussions, a decision was adopted on the strict observance of humanitarian principles of the Criminal Code of the republic, and on educating citizens who have not committed grave crimes without imprisoning them. The coordination council also discussed tasks proceeding from the resolution of the Supreme Court on certain issues which arose in legal practice in the course of applying criminal proceedings. A relevant decision has been passed.

apan has allocated 15.5bn yen for the second section of radical reconstruction of three Uzbek airports - Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench. The agreement on credits for the reconstruction was signed in Tashkent on Tuesday [14th December] by the Uzbek finance ministry and the Japan Bank of International Cooperation.

The project will be implemented by the winners of an international tender, the Japanese consortiums Mitsubishi-Mitsui- Shimizu and Lang-Allarco-Marubeni. This is not the first occasion of Japan's participation in economic projects in Uzbekistan. Four years ago, Japan's Eximbank (which formed the Japan Bank of International Cooperation jointly with the Japanese Fund of Foreign Economic Cooperation on 1st October 1999 - Itar-Tass) allocated about 20bn yen for the first stage of the modernization of the above-mentioned Uzbek airport.

Another agreement on credits has been signed. The Japan Bank of International Cooperation allocated a low-interest credit of 12.69bn yen to expand Uzbekistan's telecommunications network. Four years ago, Japanese bankers allocated 12.7bn yen for the same purpose, and the credits have been fully expended. A rolling-stock repair plant is now under construction in Tashkent with the assistance of Japanese investors, Tass learnt from the Uzbek finance ministry.

(Another source) - The Japanese government has earmarked a 2.87bn-yen credit for implementing the second stage of upgrading three airports in Uzbekistan, the cabinet's press service told Interfax Wednesday [15th December]. Deputy chief of the Japanese Bank Joseki Nagase [as received] and Uzbek Finance Minister Rustam Azimov signed the documents for the international cooperation.

The reconstruction project provides for upgrading the infrastructure of the Samarkand, Bukhara, and Urgench airports, including their runways and other facilities. According to Interfax, in 1996 the Japanese Foreign Economic Cooperation Foundation lent 15.52bn yen to Uzbekistan to modernize its three airports. About 50 per cent of the loan has been put to use by Mitsubishi, Mitsui, and Shemizu [as received] to upgrade tarmacs, the instrumental landing system, and lighting installations.

In November 1998, an international consortium of British Laing, Turkish Alarko, and Japanese Marubeni joined the second stage of the project to upgrade passenger terminal buildings, construct and equip interior quarters, and pave taxiways and airport platforms with asphalt. The three airports are to be upgraded in full by mid 2000. Once this project is complete, Uzbekistan will have four international airports, capable of receiving heavy Boeing cargo jets. So far, only the airport at Tashkent has such a status.

total of 29 tonnes of drugs have been seized and destroyed in the Republic of Uzbekistan since it obtained independence in 1991, a security spokeswoman told ITAR-TASS on Wednesday [15th December]. Recent years have witnessed an increase in attempts to smuggle heroin, Lt-Col Natalya Kochubey said. As much as 150 kg of heroin were seized in the past 10 months of 1999, against 11 kg in 1991, 42 kg in 1997 and 123 kg in 1998, Kochubey said.

Local law enforcers have arrested 8,251 people for drug dealing so far this year, and 6,858 have been brought to account. Although most drugs are coming from Afghanistan, narcotics are increasingly being planted in Uzbekistan itself. Five hectares of poppy and 30 ha of hemp have been found and destroyed in 1998 and 1999.

(Another view) - A total of 2.5 tons of narcotics, confiscated from drug dealers, was incinerated this afternoon in the furnaces of a scrap metal processing plant in Tashkent.

"This amount of drugs has been seized by the customs officers and employees of the republic's national security and internal affairs services over nine months of this year," Natalya Kochubey, chief of the public relations bureau of the republic's National Security Service, told an ITAR-TASS correspondent. The drugs were destroyed in the presence of UN representatives and diplomats, she said. According to Kochubey, heroin accounted for 90 kg and opium for 2,250 kg of the 2.5 tons of drugs destroyed, the rest being mild drugs. According to Kochubey, about 7 tons of drugs has been withdrawn from illegal circulation in Uzbekistan over the past few years.

U.S. Boeing brought humanitarian aid to the airport of Tashkent on Tuesday. The 5 million dollar aid is medicines and medical equipment, mostly antibiotics, vitamins, baby food and hygienic items, sent by over 30 pharmaceutical companies of America. The U.S. government paid the delivery costs, the American ambassador to Uzbekistan said. The gratuitous aid was given after Uzbek President Islam Karimov announced 2000 as "the healthy generation year" in his country.

n international gang of eight drug couriers has been detained in Uzbekistan. A total of 114 kg of opium has been confiscated from the gang, ITAR-TASS was told by Lieutenant-Colonel Natalya Kochubey, chief of the bureau for public relations of the Uzbek National Security Service. The opium was to be delivered to one of the towns in the north of Russia, Kochubey said.

zbekistan will be among exhibitors at a 3rd international exhibition "Wholesale Food Markets: Investments, Construction, Operation, Equipment and Food",which opens at the Olympiisky complex in Moscow on Monday. An official at the Uzexpocentre has told Itar-Tass that the republic is represented at the exhibition by a separate national stand. Uzbekistan will acquaint visitors with the output of dozens of firms, holding and joint-stock companies such as in particular the Uzplodoovoschvinprom fruit, vegetable and wine exporting holding compnay, the Uzmaslozhirtabakprom oil, fat, and tobacco corp.. the Uzkhleboprodukt bakery products corp., and the Pulsar co. A number of joint ventures and private-owned firms from Uzbekistan, such as, for example, an Uzbek-Czech beer producing ventures, will also be represented at the exhibition. The Uzbek stand will feature about 50 types of fresh vegetables and fruit, canned food, wines, and confectionaries. Uzbek delegates will attend a seminar, which is to be held within the framework of the exhibition. to discuss settlement operations, customs clearing of commodities, insurance of the operation of wholesale markets and foreign economic relations of ex-Soviet and other foreign countries.

resident Karimov appointed Alisher Fayzullaev as an ambassador of Uzbekistan to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Mr. Fayzullaev's predecessor is Fotikh Teshaboev, former ambassador to the United States. There are no reports about his next post.

n 11th December Uzbek TV screened a 35-minute roundup of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's visit to Uzbekistan on 10th-11th December, adding to reports broadcast earlier the same day. This included a longer version of the news conference given by Putin and Uzbek President Islam Karimov, at which Putin affirmed Russia's commitment to a "strategic partnership" with Russia, and said that it was in Russia's interests to have a "stable Uzbekistan". Karimov also said that Russia's presence in Central Asia "would make it possible to repulse this creeping expansion" of "extremism and terrorism". The following are excerpts from the report, incorporating passages transcribed from Uzbek TV at 1400 and 1430 the same day:

[Correspondent, over video of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arriving at Tashkent airport and being met by senior Uzbek government officials; being greeted by Uzbek President Islam Karimov; the two in private talks; talks in expanded composition; the two answering questions at a news conference] A Russian Federation delegation led by the country's prime minister arrived in Uzbekistan on 10th December on an official visit.

[passage omitted: Putin was greeted at Tashkent airport on 10th December by high-ranking Uzbek officials; Putin first had a private meeting on 11th December with President Karimov]

During expanded-format talks chaired by Islam Karimov and Vladimir Putin, our country's president defined the range of issues Uzbekistan gives preference to in cooperation with Russia.

[Karimov, in Russian, shown speaking at the talks] Both states advocate the prevention of and full elimination of the risk of aggression on the southern borders of the CIS, the spread of religious extremism, international terrorism and the influence of international extremist centres on the situation in Central Asia. I would like to take this opportunity to confirm once again the statement I have repeatedly made in public, to the effect that we recognize the interests of Russia in Central Asia and that, in turn, we are interested in the stability, security and territorial integrity of Russia.

[Correspondent, over video of Karimov and Putin signing documents, shaking hands] In turn, the chairman of the government of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, stressed that relations with Uzbekistan, given its situation and potential, are a priority for his country. Nevertheless, the sides admitted during the meeting that due to both objective and subjective reasons and contrary to the legal basis already created, in the form of 140 signed documents, the potential of Uzbekistan and Russia have not been fully exploited.

For your information, more than 170 enterprises involving Russian investment and 30 enterprises fully funded by Russian capital are operating in our country. A total of 25 Russian firms are accredited. However, acknowledging that there had been a drop in trade turnover, the members of the delegation expressed their confidence that these problems needed to and could be solved.

A document-signing ceremony was held after the meeting. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin put their signatures to a treaty between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Russian Federation on further deepening [cooperation in] the military, and military and technical, sectors. In addition, a number of interdepartmental agreements were signed, that is to say, a treaty on cooperation between the Federal Agency of Government Communications and Information under the president of the Russian Federation and the National Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan; protocols between the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation in the field organizing customs control over the movement of excise goods through the customs borders of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation; and also on methodological and information cooperation in the field of foreign trade and customs statistics.

Then a news conference was held for local and foreign journalists where the Uzbek president, Islam Karimov, and the Russian prime minister, Vladimir Putin, made short statements.

[Karimov] We view the arrival in Uzbekistan of the delegation from Russia as an indication of the sides' mutual aspiration to develop and cement our relations, in line with what is happening in our region and in general on the basis of the mutual aspiration to develop and strengthen our relations. Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] and I have shared a very detailed, I would describe it as very open and trusting, conversation. We even had to apologize to members of the delegation because our talks had taken so long that we overran the time schedule. This is further testimony to the fact that the talks considered a very large number of issues of, above all, a bilateral nature, matters of regional importance and those problems put into the foreground internationally.

I have to state authoritatively and with responsibility that in practically all the issues discussed the position of Russia expounded by Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin coincides with ours and in effect we have no different approaches to those problems which we have discussed. We have an equal interest in, and are equally concerned about, the fact that trade turnover between our countries is falling. There are objective and subjective reasons for this. However at the same time, we both know about the potential which should be used to make our relations in the economic field more dynamic. We have discussed setting up joint financial groups, discussed matters linked with expansion of trade turnover and above all one fundamental question linked with supplies of cotton fibre to Russia so that Russia's light industry can develop on the basis of raw material delivered from Uzbekistan.

We also discussed issues of military and technical, and military cooperation.You witnessed that a document on military and military and technical cooperation was signed today between [Russia and] Uzbekistan. What is at issue is that Russia has its own interests in Central Asia, and Russia, this could be stated with responsibility, is the country and the power on whose support we rely to maintain stability and maintain security in our entire region. Our stand on and approach to those processes that have become more active today, I mean, the processes of extremism, international terrorism infiltrating our territory. I would put it like this: the issues of creeping expansion, extremism and terrorism on the territory of Central Asia and other regions of Russia, I want to state this, have the same nature and, if you like, the same centres are behind this expansion or behind this infiltration.

We are convinced that Russia's help and Russia's presence in our region will make it possible to repulse this creeping expansion and maintain peace and stability and people's tranquility in our region. We have also discussed other questions, questions concerning how the strategy of our relations and our mutual cooperation should be ensured both next year and in the long term. We discussed issues related to the situation of the Russian-speaking population on Uzbekistan's territory - I would say Russian-speaking is not the right word - issues concerning the position of people who are citizens of Uzbekistan, but who are ethnic Russians. I should admit that regarding this issue, I was fully satisfied with the assessment made by Vladimir Vladimirovich that Russia is presented with no serious problems in these issues, the type of issues such as could give grounds for various insinuations, and various outbursts in the Russian press and other media that sometimes bring up these issues unjustifiably. In general, having signed documents today, at the same time we think we should not cease our efforts. The legal foundation created in our relations now consists of about 140 documents. Along with this, we are confident that we have new documents being worked out which are expected in the near future to be discussed at a working level, at the government level and then submitted to be signed.

At the end of my statement, I would like to say that I am sincerely glad that I have been given an opportunity to talk to and discuss issues which are very serious for Uzbekistan with the chairman of the Russian Council of Ministers, glad to meet again those of our old friends who are represented in the Russian delegation. As you can see the Russian delegation is very solid, very authoritative. We feel it a mark of great respect that our old friends are visiting our Uzbekistan today. Thank you. I would like to ask Vladimir Vladimirovich to tell also in brief about the agenda for our relations and the discussions held today.

[Putin] Thank you very much, Islam Abduganiyevich. I confirm all that has been said by the president of Uzbekistan. From my side, I would like to add that the public both in Uzbekistan and Russia today is experiencing quite stormy processes related to election campaigns. We are aware that the polls to the parliament in Uzbekistan have not yet come to an end in many places. Our election campaign is in full swing. There will soon be presidential elections in Uzbekistan.

I would like to begin where the president virtually ended, to be exact, on interethnic relations. There is no multi-ethnic country that has no problematic issues. But we do think that President Karimov is one of the most important guarantors of interethnic relations developing in the right direction, in quite a civilized direction. Proceeding from this, we wish him success in the forthcoming elections. As regards cooperation between the two countries in a wider range of questions, I can say that in addition to what the president has said, we devote great attention to the development of cooperation. There are problems. The problems above all concern the forms of payment - it is in this field that there are difficulties with supplying goods, including raw cotton and goods from the Russian Federation.

[passage omitted: these issues could be settled by intergovernmental commissions; setting up joint holding companies and financial and industrial groups could be a solution to these problems; more cooperation needed to resolve issues]

As for security issues, in this area, I think, as in the foregoing, we are going for a new qualitative level in our relations. I would like to draw your attention to this. We are going for a new qualitative level in our relations.

We, like the leadership of Uzbekistan, are concerned about manifestations of extremism and terrorism and are ready to exert joint efforts to put a barrier in the way of the spread of this evil in this region of the world, as we consider that peace and stability in this region, including peace and stability in Uzbekistan, is not merely a field of Russia's interest, but it is of a vital interest to the Russian federation. We will do all that depends on us to ensure we attain those heights in our relations in the field of security to which we came with the president today. In this report I wanted to tell you what I consider was the main element of our work today.

[Karimov] Please, if you have questions.

[Question] The [Russian] Interfax news agency. A question to Mr President. Tell us please, has Uzbekistan been thinking about prolonging its participation in the CIS Collective Security Treaty of the CIS? And Vladimir Vladimirovich, briefly if you can, what is the content, essence and for Russia benefit of the treaty on military cooperation signed today? Thank you.

[Karimov] Speaking about the collective security, I would like to tell you briefly the reason why Uzbekistan withdrew from the Collective Security Treaty, which you probably know. The point is that nobody needs declarative treaties about collective security. And when a situation emerged when this collective security treaty should have been operative, when the Uzbek side should have felt the strength and significance of this treaty concretely in a concrete situation and when danger threatened us, even a danger of invasion, on Uzbekistan's southern borders, it was made quite clear to us that the treaty was just on paper, not even simply on paper but was used for purely declarative aims. This gave us grounds for raising the question of whether it was expedient to stay members of this treaty.

My personal opinion, I want to say wholly responsibly, is that we should build our relations with Russia on a bilateral basis. It is precisely for this reason that we have raised the question of formulating the legislative basis for this, including issues of military and technical cooperation. I am confident that bilateral relations alone, the mutual obligations of the sides equally guaranteed by the governments of the two sides, entirely by the sides and by their state structures can equally give guarantees - something extremely important for us - that this treaty will work in any situation qhere required, where necessary. I repeat that I see the future in bilateral treaties, not in collective ones.

To take a wider view of this, it would be more expedient, in the CIS as a whole, for each subject of the CIS to build relations, the future of our relations, on a bilateral basis with Russia. Then these bilateral relations between these countries and Russia will be modelled into multilateral relations. [passage omitted: all CIS countries were involved in multilateral declarative relations in 1991; Karimov agan proposed building relations on a bilateral basis]

[Putin] As far as Russia is concerned I can say the following. It is not the methods and forms of achieving goals that are important, it is the goals themselves that are important for Russia. Russia's aim is that there should be order, tranquility, security and stability in this region of the world or in this country, in the country of Uzbekistan so friendly towards us. We have an interest in such an Uzbekistan. Moreover, this interest is of a wholly concrete nature, not an abstract nature.

We all know what happens where and when extremist forces are growing. As we have already said, there is a significant Russian-speaking population. How will these people feel in exacerbated conditions, in the conditions of an increasing growth of extremism and fanatism. They will feel uncomfortable, to put it mildly. We ourselves will feel this straight away. We will feel this concretely, economically. This is the first thing.

Secondly, as far as Russia's geopolitical interests are concerned, we are also interested in a stable Uzbekistan. Because if anything else emerges, it will take far more efforts on Russia's part to bring the situation back to a course acceptable for the Russian Federation. This the second thing.

And finally, thirdly. You ask what is beneficial for Russia in these agreements and in organizing relations with Uzbekistan in such a way: there are wholly specific benefits. It is extremely expedient for both Russia and Uzbekistan, and also, using your expression if you like, beneficial, to restore production links. I draw your attention to the fact that our cooperation in the military and technical sphere is of a complex nature. It is not aimed at purely military cooperation, though that in itself represents significant value as well, we are talking about joint exercises, training of personnel, contacts between military departments and so forth, and also cooperation in the military industrial sector. That means jobs and budget revenue and so forth and suchlike. The Russian Federation's interests are precisely in this.

[Q] Uzbek Television, the "Akhborot" news programme. Islam Agdughaniyevich, agreement has now been signed between the customs services. Does that mean that customs policy will be reduced to a common denominator where there are certain barriers existing? One more thing, you just have talked a little about the CIS. Was there discussion about the fate of the CIS at all in the negotiations? What is the future of the CIS in your view? Will it continue to exist as it is now or is there no sense in it? Thank you.

[Karimov] Naturally, the customs issue is worrying our citizens and those of Russia, above all, from the point of view of lifting those barriers which currently exist. We do not deny the existence of those barriers which stand in the way of exchange of goods and services on the whole and other issues linked with economic relations. The document signed today to some extent reduces to one common denominator those normative documents, regulations and enactments which are required to proceed from the same interests, so all this is a step on the way to lifting those barriers. However, I cannot say that in general the documents signed today will completely lift customs regulations and relations. In general, I think this is a problems we need to work on consistently, proceeding from our common interests. As far as the CIS is concerned Vladimir Vladimirovich and I did not discuss these matters.

[Q] (?`Vremya MN') newspaper, (?Dubnov). A question to the chairman of the government of the Russian Federation. Vladimir Vladimirovich, regarding the opinions which the Russian president expressed in Beijing recently, what are your views on this topic and on those statements which the USA used to make in respect of regions, let us say, of the former Soviet Union, particularly in the Transcaucasus and Central Asia. There is a zone of strategic interests and a zone of special responsibility here. From these preconditions, can you, as the head of the Russian government, after today's talks in Tashkent assume the responsibility to state that Central Asia is a zone of Russia's strategic responsibility or of Russia's strategic interests?

[Putin] I would put it this way: the multiethnic people of Uzbekistan is the fully-fledged and the sole owner of its country. And when we speak or somebody speaks about this or that zone being a zone of his strategic interests, this political practice and style is not characteristic of the Russian leadership. We are speaking about strategic partnership. We are convinced that Uzbekistan is precisely such a strategic partner for us. We think that it is in the interests of the Russian Federation that Uzbekistan is a strong and independent state. Our unbiased interest in this, taking into account the alignment of forces in this region of the world and generally in the world. And we will be doing everything that depends on us so that precisely that will be the case.

bout 400 "criminals" have been captured and registered in a police operation, involving about 300 policemen and more than 400 members of the people's militia, in Namangan in eastern Uzbekistan, Uzbek radio reported on 6th December. Measures have been taken against 59 CIS citizens "living illegally in our country" the radio report said. Five guns have were seized from citizens who illegally possessed them and 10 people "sympathizing with religious extremist teachings" were also caught.

zbekistan has resumed supplies of natural gas to Bishkek following a week of talks in Tashkent, Kyrgyz radio reported on 12th December. The Uzbek gas transport company, Uztransgaz, resumed supplies of gas on 11th December, and it is expected to reach the Kyrgyz capital as soon as 12th December. Uzbekistan said it turned off the gas because of unpaid bills. The Kyrgyz gas company, Kyrgyzgaz, proposed a scheme for clearing its debt using a currency and goods credit in the form of wheat flour from a third party - in this case the Russian partners of Kyrgyzgaz. An agreement on the currency part was reached straight away, and the entire currency debt of more than 280,000 dollars was transferred to Uzbekistan.

hat was said by the members of the delegation was fully confirmed in the course of an expanded-format meeting led by Islam Karimov and Vladimir Putin. Our president emphasized Uzbekistan's priorities in cooperation with Russia.

Both states advocate the prevention of and full elimination of the risk of aggression on the southern borders of the CIS, the spread of religious exremism, international terrorism and the influence of international extremist centres on the situation in Central Asia. I would like to take this opportunity to confirm once again the statement I have repeatedly made in public, to the effect that we recognize the interests of Russia in Central Asia and that, in turn, we are interested in the stability, security and territorial integrity of Russia.

In turn, the chairman of the government of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, stressed that relations with Uzbekistan, given its situation and potential, are a priority for his country. Nevertheless, the sides admitted during the meeting that due to both objective and subjective reasons and contrary to the legal basis already created, in the form of 140 signed documents, the potential of Uzbekistan and Russia have not been fully exploited.

For your information, more than 170 enterprises involving Russian investment and 30 enterprises fully funded by Russian capital are operating in our country. A total of 25 Russian firms are accredited. However, acknowledging that there had been a drop in trade turnover, the members of the delegation expressed their confidence that these problems needed to and could be solved.

A document-signing ceremony was held after the meeting. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin put their signatures to a treaty between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Russian Federation on further deepening [cooperation in] the military, and military and technical, sectors. In addition, a number of interdepartmental agreements were signed, that is to say, a treaty on cooperation between the Federal Governmental Communication and Information Agency under the president of the Russian Federation and the National Security Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan; protocols between the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation in the field organizing customs control over the movement of excise goods through the customs borders of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation; and also on methodological and information cooperation in the field of foreign trade and customs statistics.

Then a news conference was held for local and foreign journalists where President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin made short statements.

[Karimov, shown speaking at news conference] I have to state authoritatively and with responsibility that in practically all the issues discussed the position of Russia expounded by Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin coincides with ours and in effect we have no different approaches to those problems which we have discussed. We have an equal interest in, and are equally concerned about, the fact that trade turnover between our countries is falling. There are objective and subjective reasons for this. However at the same time, we both know about the potential which should be used to make our relations in the economic field more dynamic. We have discussed setting up joint financial groups, discussed matters linked with expansion of trade turnover and above all one fundamental question linked with supplies of cotton fibre to Russia so that Russia's light industry can develop on the basis of raw material delivered from Uzbekistan.

[Putin, shown speaking at news conference] I would like to draw your attention to this. We are going for a new qualitative level in our relations. We, like the leadership of Uzbekistan, are concerned about manifestations of extremism and terrorism and are ready to exert joint efforts to put a barrier in the way of the spread of this evil in regions of the world.

Then Islam Karimov and Vladimir Putin answered numerous questions put by journalists on the future of Uzbek-Russian cooperation, on Russia's strategic interests in Uzbekistan and also on problems of the fight against terrorism and extremism. The sides declared these issues to be their strategic interests. (Uzbek TV)

ussian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has expressed profound satisfaction with the fact that "the interethnic situation here is calm and stable, largely thanks to the leadership of the Republic of Uzbekistan". The Uzbek leadership "is doing everything necessary to ensure that the vector of interethnic development points in the right direction", Putin said today during a meeting with representatives of the Russian community in Uzbekistan. He noted that there were 1.2m Russians in Uzbekistan, and that in Tashkent they accounted for nearly a third of the population.

"The Russians living in Uzbekistan represent one of the factors and foundations of cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan in a long-term historical perspective," stressed the Russian prime minister. "The Russians who were born and live in Uzbekistan have never faced a dilemma concerning their future - whether they should go or stay - as happened in other republics of the former USSR," said Uzbek President Islam Karimov, who attended the meeting. "I think those Russians who did leave Uzbekistan - there were about 311,000 of them - believed they would lead a better life in their historical homeland. And yet many are returning from Russia back to Uzbekistan," [he added]. (Itar-TASS)

he treaty on the further deepening of all-round cooperation in the military and military-technical spheres between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Uzbekistan which was signed in Tashkent today during the visit to Uzbekistan by the chairman of the Russian government, Vladimir Putin, is not directed against any third countries. Its aims are to strengthen peace and stability in Central Asia and to develop and consolidate mutual understanding between two friendly peoples. This is emphasized by the press service of the Russian Defence Ministry in a report which ITAR-TASS received today. The treaty envisages deeper mutual relations between the two countries' defence ministries and armed forces on questions of strengthening military security, the joint struggle against international terrorism, cooperation in developing and producing military equipment and armaments and also in training military personnel for the armed forces of Uzbekistan and Russia. (Itar-TASS)

ussian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow's proposal that Chechen fighters should turn in their arms is "an ultimatum to the bandits". Moreover, this proposal is aimed at ensuring the safety of civilians, Putin said at a press conference in Tashkent on Saturday [11th December]. "These statements of the military group's commanders are not groundless. If weapons are not put down, decisive actions will follow," he said. "Further events would be similar to what happened earlier. Before, we got by with little blood, almost without casualties," he said.

"The 1994-1996 conflict in Chechnya and today's situation are of absolutely different political nature. We are not fighting the Chechen people, we are not resolving the issue of Chechnya's status. We are fighting international terrorists, who use civilians as a shield," he said. Putin denied a link between the antiterrorist operation and "political campaigns in Russia". "Moreover, it does not matter who heads Russia, he would bring to an end the problem of combating terrorism. This is what will be done," he said.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov said in turn that over 200 citizens of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan were trained on Chechen territory to stage sabotage and terrorist acts. "The Chechen people themselves have become hostages to the terrorists," Karimov said. (Interfax news agency)

ussian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said today that Russia regarded Uzbekistan as its strategic partner. "It is in Russia's interests that Uzbekistan is a strong and independent state," he said at a news conference after his talks with Uzbek President Islam Karimov. Putin said that Islam Karimov " is the main guarantor that interethnic relations in Uzbekistan develop in the right direction and that the rights of the Russian-speaking population are observed". "Therefore, we wish Islam Karimov victory at the forthcoming presidential election." Putin said that a wide range of issues, mainly on developing bilateral economic ties, had been discussed during the talks. He noted that there had been a decrease in trade turnover between Russia and Uzbekistan and said that "there are problems with forms of payment" for mutual supplies of goods. "Setting up joint financial-industrial groups, holding companies and corporations may be one of the ways of resolving the issue," he said. (Itar-TASS)

he official visit by Russia's prime minister, Vladimir Putin, to our country [Uzbekistan] has started. Today Vladimir Putin laid a wreath on Remembrance Square in our capital [Tashkent], and also looked round the Remembrance complex. Then in line with a schedule of the visit he went to the Dormen [presidential residence on outskirts of city]. Uzbek President Islam Karimov met the head of the Russian Federation at the Dormen residence. There Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had one-to-one talks. At the moment extended-format talks between the intergovernmental commissions of the two countries are being held. A news conference is expected to be held after the talks. This afternoon Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is to visit the Tashkent Chkalov aircraft plant, the Timurids Museum and the Tashkent Russian Drama Theatre.

(Itar-TASS) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Uzbek President Islam Karimov signed an agreement on deepening further comprehensive cooperation in the military and the military-technical spheres today. "We are approaching a qualitatively new level of relations in security issues," Putin said at the signing ceremony. "We are prepared to join efforts to erect a barrier to the spreading of terrorism and extremism," he stressed.

ussian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Friday [10th December] called Uzbekistan a "partner for many, many years" and said the two countries were sure to further develop their relations. Uzbekistan "is our partner for many, many years, and we intend to build up a relationship on a good-neighbourly basis", Putin told reporters in Tashkent after arriving for a visit to the Central Asian country. He said the main purpose of his visit was to prepare a meeting between the Russian and Uzbek presidents, Boris Yeltsin and Islam Karimov. "There are all reasons to expect that our movement ahead will continue in the principal fields, such as trade, economics, defence and cooperation between the border guard services," he said.

zbekistan is to sign "three secret documents" with Russia on joint actions in case of a "Chechen-type" scenario in Central Asia during the Russian prime minister's visit to the country, according to the Russian newspaper `Kommersant'. The paper said Uzbekistan has been increasingly warming up towards Russia, as it realizes that it depends on Russia's military support to secure itself from the growing threat of Islamic extremism in the region. The paper said Uzbekistan's neighbours in Central Asia and the West have proved to be unreliable in this respect. The following is the text of the report published on 10th December.

Tashkent - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is beginning his visit to Uzbekistan today. The visit will begin a day later than planned - Boris Yeltsin flew to China and Putin had to stay to "keep house". The delay allowed the sides to complete work on a package of military cooperation agreements to be signed in Tashkent tomorrow.

The delay has proved convenient. Both delegations were working until late yesterday on the main document, a military cooperation agreement. The other documents: an agreement between the Uzbek National Security Service and Russia's Federal Agency of Government Communication and Information on ensuring information security, an agreement on development of trade relations and two documents on customs relations, were ready for signing. In addition, `Kommersant' has learnt that three secret documents have been worked out concerning the two countries' actions if a Chechnya-type conflict emerges in Central Asia.

The fight against terrorism and military cooperation will be the main topics during the talks. Uzbek President Islam Karimov confirmed this, saying: "We see Russia as a power which can resist terrorism and extremism together with us."

As is known, early this year, Uzbekistan refused to extend its membership of the CIS countries' collective security treaty. Karimov believed that to ensure security in the region it would be enough to have an agreement between the Central Asian countries on mutual support in emergency situations. And they could do without Russia, he said. That is why the Uzbek president strongly opposed the creation of a Russian military base in neighbouring Tajikistan.

But after the recent fighting in Kyrgyzstan (with Wahhabi bandit formations which had broken through from Tajikistan) and the November incident near Yangiabad, not far from Tashkent (when the Wahhabis raided the republic's territory) it became clear that Uzbekistan could not count on its neighbours: neither Kyrgyzstan nor Tajikistan have the power to resist Islamic gunmen's onslaught. Turkmenistan is in general trying to retain reasonable relations with the Taleban, while Kazakhstan does not take the threat of Islamic extremism seriously.

It has turned out that it was also pointless to rely on assistance from the United States and NATO (within the framework of the Partnership for Peace programme) despite the fact that for the past two years the Pentagon funded international military exercises on Uzbek territory. It has emerged that this cooperation could even prove dangerous. Last spring the soldiers from the US armed forces' 16th Mountain Infantry Division, who were taking part in the Uzbek-American exercises, obtained detailed maps of the terrain drawn on the basis of satellite photographs. What a surprise that was for the Uzbek special services when exactly the same maps were found in the possession of the Wahhabis during the fighting in the mountains in southern Kyrgyzstan. They said nothing to the Americans at the time but drew their own conclusions.

Meanwhile, according to available intelligence information, next spring the Wahhabis will undertake a fresh offensive from bases in Afghanistan. Uzbekistan does not want to fight alone. Tashkent has realized that it can count only on Russia, which, having encountered terrorism in its own home, is prepared to fight it mercilessly. This autumn there were no NATO exercises in Uzbekistan. Instead, in November they held military exercises called "Commonwealth Southern Shield" with active involvement of the Russian military. It looks as if Tashkent has revised its bearings. Before the [Uzbek] 9th January 2000 presidential election Russia is again among the allies it wants. (Kommersant, Moscow)