Text of report by Uzbek TV on 21st September

There is no doubt that elections to the Supreme Assembly on 5th
December this year and elections of the president of the
Republic of Uzbekistan on 9th January 2000 will be an important
part of democracy in the history of our country. As we have
reported, the recent meeting of the Central Electoral
Commission considered applications of five political parties
existing in our country and permitted them to stand in
elections to the Supreme Assembly. At present these parties are
conducting preparatory work to hold their congresses.

[Abdulkhafiz Jalolov, the leader of the People's
Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, captioned] We have planned to
hold the third congress of our party in October this year. In
line with the law, within the limit of time that we have been
given, we will nominate candidates from our party to the
Supreme Assembly in our third congress. Our party will do
everything to nominate devoted candidates who will reinforce
independence, improve living standards of the people of
Uzbekistan, help our country to take a worthy place amongst
developed countries of the world.

[Turghunpolat Daminov, the leader of the Adolat (Justice)
Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, captioned] Above all,
taking this opportunity I would like to say thank you on behalf
of our party to 50,000 of our compatriots who signed to support
our party. We have a lot of work to do. We have set up a press
centre, prepare working groups, we have a big headquarters. I
think that taking part in elections, voting for deputies to the
Supreme Assembly - these are the most important and the
greatest tasks in the work of parties. Of course, we will try
to implement these tasks with honour.

[Ahtam Tursunov, the leader of the Vatan Taraqqiyoti
(Homeland Progress) Party, captioned] Our party, that is we,
have already been working with candidates to the Supreme
Asembly. We are nominating people who have served our country,
people and society and have gained authority and respect
amongst our people. We hope that they will win in a fair
campaign with representatives of other parties. For these
purposes we are conducting preparatory work in all the Regions
and Districts for the election campaign with the help of
representatives of our party.

[Erkin Norbotayev, the leader of the Fidokorlar
(Self-sacrificers) National Democratic Party, captioned] God
willing, we are going to hold our congress on 22nd September
and will nominate candidates to the Supreme Assembly. However,
this is not all about work during the election campaign. That
is why we are going to work in two directions. The first
direction is implementing measures connected directly with
raising the image of our party. The second direction is
connected with raising the image of our candidates. Who are we
nominating? Today, we are nominating perhaps, not famous people
who have never appeared in the press and television, but they
are well known and respected in their neighbourhood. For this
purpose we should also take necessary measures to raise their
image.

[Ibrohim Ghofurov, the leader of Milliy Tiklanish
(National Revival) Party captioned] The process of preparing
our candidates, the process of preparing people's
representatives is an event of great importance for the party.
We are entering this event. Today, our party's great,
honourable and responsible task is to select the most competent
candidates from amongst the people and intelligentsia.

Source: Uzbek Television first channel, Tashkent, in Uzbek 1530
gmt 21 Sep 99
BBC Mon CAU 210999/** AJBA/AM