Text of report by the Uzbek newspaper 'Khalq Sozi'
Esteemed Islam Abduganiyevich [Karimov]!
I heartily congratulate you on winning the absolute majority of votes and
the convincing victory in the elections of the president of the Republic of
Uzbekistan on 9th January 2000! Your re-election to this high post shows
that you are enjoying public support and our compatriots are unanimously
supporting your policy of reforms. Like the December 1999 parliamentary
elections, the presidential poll was yet another step towards democracy.
The elections showed the citizens' political awareness and their desire to
be directly involved in the formation of state power through excercising
their voting right. This has also demonstrated to the entire world that
independent Uzbekistan is not only advocating the principles of free,
democratic development, but is consistently following them in practice.
The People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, which is making its own
contribution to the current tranformations, will, undoubtedly, continue
making efforts and taking every opportunity to strengthen the country's
independence, help it occupy a deserved place among the world's progressive
democratic states, create all necessary opportunities for every member of
our society to live a deserved life and develop and make our free state
known to the world.
I wish you great success in your activities for the sake of our people.
With deep respect and esteem, Abdulhafiz Jalolov, first secretary of the
People's Democratic Party's Central Council.
Source: 'Khalq Sozi', Tashkent, in Uzbek 11 Jan 00 p*
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