From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Wed Apr 19 2000 - 11:57:08 EDT
UZBEK PRESIDENT REJECTS U.S. CRITICISM OVER HUMAN RIGHTS
U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told journalists
in Tashkent on 18 April after her talks with Uzbek President
Islam Karimov that the latter categorically rejected U.S.
criticism of human rights abuses in Uzbekistan, AP and
Reuters reported. Albright also noted that Uzbekistan is
delaying serious market reform, in particular in making its
currency fully convertible. But she stressed that the U.S.
regards Uzbekistan as a friend, and is prepared to assist
Tashkent in combatting any spillover of Islamic extremism
from Afghanistan or elsewhere in Central Asia. LF
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