Text of report by Uzbek radio on 3rd August
[Announcer] Dear radio listeners, as you know the 15th session
of the Supreme Assembly [Uzbek parliament, due to be held on
19th August 1999] will, among other things, consider the issue
of the forthcomings [parliamentary and presidential] elections.
The world public is showing its interest in the [parliamentary]
elections which are expected to be held in Uzbekistan this year.

[Monitor's note: presidential elections are expected to be
held in early 2000] We have addressed the OSCE's Central Asian
office and asked their opinion on preparations for the
elections. The political expert of the [OSCE Central Asian]
office, Vladimir Makarov, said the following:

[Makarov in Russian, fading to Uzbek translation]
Effective contacts and talks have been underway between the
OSCE and the Central Electorate Commission of Uzbekistan for
several years. During these talks the OSCE has given its expert
recommendations on the election process in Uzbekistan. As a
result, some changes were introduced into the Law on Elections
last year [1998]. We consider these talks as part of the
process of implementing the Copenhagen document for improving
legislation.

An expert group was here [in Uzbekistan] two week ago.
They were received at the Central Electoral Commission of
Uzbekistan. The exchange of opinions lasted for three days and
it was conducted in an atmosphere of mutual understanding. I
also participated in these meetings and can say that the sides
expressed their readiness for taking joint decisions. Both the
OSCE and Uzbekistan made constructive proposals.
About the question of the OSCE participating in the
forthcoming elections, the decision will be taken later. It
will be clear after the registration of political parties in
the run up to the elections. This issue should be discussed
with our colleagues in Vienna. They will take the final
decision. In general, we would like to participate in the
elections.

I would like to note one thing. The OSCE's attitude
towards politics in Central Asian countries has become more
active. The election process might serve as a bridge to this
end. This process will offer an opportunity for joint work,
said the political expert of the OSCE liaison office in Central
Asia, Vladimir Makarov.

[Announcer] The secretary and head of secretariat of the
Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan,
Anvar Sa'dullayev said the following about the forthcoming
elections:

[Sa'dullayev] Currently the Central Electoral Commission
is effectively preparing for elections to regional, district
and town councils of people's deputies and the Supreme Assembly
scheduled for the end of 1999. During preparations we are
considering the constituency boundaries, as well as the number
of voters in the republic. If we turn to the question of who
can participate in the elections, then I would like to say that
there are, up to now, five political parties in Uzbekistan. Of
course the law stipulates certain requirements for political
parties' paticipation in elections. One of the requirements is
that a political party should be registered at the Ministry of
Justice six months prior to the date of the elections. Another
requirement is that political parties have their supporters
among the voters. It is also noteworthy that only political
parties and representatives of the state administration
previously had the right to nominate a candidate. However,
according to amendments introduced by the Supreme Assembly in
December 1997, our law now stipulates the nomination of
candidates by initiative of citizens' groups. That means that a
citizen living in a specific constituency has the right to be
nominated provided that an initiative group of [at least] 100
people would support him. Taking this into account, I would
like say that these elections, unlike previous elections, will
have at least 7-8 candidates for each seat.

The interest expressed in our elections by foreign
countries, international organizations and movements is growing
each day. Lately we have held many meeting concerning
preparations for elections and bringing our laws in line with
international standards. As an example, I can note that five
members of the OSCE Office for [Democratic Institutions and]
Human Rights visited our republic last week. Once more we
considered our laws with them. On the whole the sides agreed
that our laws meet world standards. Now our parliament is
studying certain proposals made by the OSCE human rights office.

Apart from this, our country and the OSCE office in Tashkent
constantly exchange opinions and information. On a regular
basis, the leadership of this office reports to their main
office in Warsaw about the processes in our country and
preparations for the elections. We visited many foreign
countries during their elections and had a great opportunity to
compare the practice of holding elections in Uzbekistan with
ones in advanced foreign countries.

Source: Uzbek Radio first programme, Tashkent, in Uzbek 0900 gmt 03 Aug 99
BBC Mon CAU 040899/** KLS/AD