From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Fri Apr 21 2000 - 10:41:55 EDT
Central Asian security summit begins in Uzbek capital [full version]
Text of report by Uzbek radio on 20th April
A meeting between the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan took place in Tashkent today. First, the president of the
Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, arrived in our country.
[Uzbek President] Islam Karimov received Nursultan Nazarbayev at his
residence in the city. The heads of state exchanged views on issues of
mutual relations between the two countries.
President of the Kyrgyz Republic Askar Akayev and President of the Republic
of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmonov, who arrived later, also joined the meeting.
Before the meeting our president spoke to local journalists gathered at the
residence. He spoke about the purpose of organizing the meeting. It emerged
that the meeting was organized on the initiative of the president of the
Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov. The reason for this is that the need
has arisen for a face-to-face meeting with the leaders of the Central Asian
states and an exchange of views on problems which awaiting solution.
The president of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, thinks that
there is a need to gather and come to a single conclusion on all problems.
Whilst discussing problems in the region, the presidents also focused on a
proposal by our President Islam Karimov which is in the interest of all the
states. This is the issue of regulating the activity of the security
agencies of the countries in the region. This shortcoming was clearly seen
last year when militants infiltrated Kyrgyzstan's Batken [District, now a
Region]. However, the countries in the region could have concluded an
agreement envisaging definite regulations on providing military equipment
and uniting efforts to preventing terrorism. Bearing in mind these
problems, during the conversation the sides focused special attention on
security issues. The presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan had a detailed and open exchange of views on this issue.
The presidents will continue their meeting at [Uzbek President's
out-of-town] Dormon residence tomorrow and are expected to sign appropriate
documents on results of the talks.
Source: Uzbek Radio second programme, Tashkent, in Uzbek 1400 gmt 20 Apr 00
BBC Mon CAU 200400/** VA/AM
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