Excerpts from report by Iranian radio from Mashhad on 11th January

Dear radio listeners, our collegue had a telephone conversation with the
head of the Erk Democratic Party [of Uzbekistan], Mr Mohammad Solih, and
asked him to share with us his thoughts about the recent Uzbek presidential
elections. Now we draw your attention to this conversation.
[correspondent] Mr Mohammad Solih, how do you assess the recent presidential
elections in Uzbekistan.

[Mohammad Solih's voice] Good evening respected friends. We have been
talking about the anti-democratic nature of these elections since the
announcement of the date of the elections. These elections were not
democratic because people did not have a choice in the elections - there
was not an alternative candidate. Our friend Mr [Abdulhafiz] Jalolov, who
was shown as an alternative candidate, was in fact a fake candidate
nominated by Karimov's party. This was evident from the announcement
Jalolov made after voting on polling day. In his announcement at the
polling station he said that even he, Jalolov, voted for Islam Karimov.
This fact is proof of what we have said previously - that the elections
were a sham, and Karimov lived up to his expectations. By doing this,
however, Karimov once again deceived himself and the Uzbek people. One
should not understand the word "deceived" in its direct meaning, because
the Uzbek people have passed the stage when they could be deceived. Today,
they understand the games of the regime. We hope that their's political
consciousness has grown and that Karimov's current "victory" (in inverted
commas) has become another bitter lesson for them. What we can do now is
only pray to God that no misfortunes will arise from this "victory". I am
sure that Karimov, who has been re-elected for five years and is
rejoicing, will not be able to hold power for five years, and the people
will express themselves against him.

[Correspondent] What is your opinion - will Uzbekistan's domestic and
foreign policy change from now on, or will it be the same?
[Solih] We can't predict it beforehand, but when proceeding from Karimov's
personality and nature one can say that Karimov cannot change his policy.
If he changes his policy, eases up on people and gives freedom to them then
his regime will receive what it deserves and will collapse. That is why
Karimov is forced to continue his oppressive policy. This oppression may
increase because the people's discontent is growing each day, and I think
that together with that the oppression will also grow. I am saying this
with regret.

[Correspondent] According to Uzbek officials, hundreds of international
observers monitored these elections. What do you think, how true are these
claims?

[Solih] Yes, more than hundred people were there. Observers from the
companies which are taking advantage of Karimov's regime and from
communist China, as well as from the countries which are trying to take
advantage of Uzbekistan economy and use its wealth, such as Bulgaria or
other developing or poor countries. No special observers from the West were
there. There were, of course, several people but you cannot call them
observers.

[passage omitted: on the OSCE not taking part in the elections and reaction
of other countries to the results of the elections - further reception
inaudible]

Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Uzbek 1500 gmt 11
Jan 00
BBC Mon CAU 110100/** AJBA/AD