From: Abraham Rein (ARein@sorosny.org)
Date: Wed Aug 09 2000 - 10:45:30 EDT
UZBEK SECURITY OFFICIAL SAYS INVADERS FROM TAJIKISTAN
SURROUNDED... Uzbek Security Council Secretary Mirakbar
Rakhmankulov told journalists in Tashkent on 8 August that
"steps have been taken to blockade" the estimated 100
fighters of the banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan that
Uzbek authorities say entered the country from neighboring
Tajikistan in recent days, Reuters reported (see "RFE/RL
Newsline," 8 August 2000). "The operation to wipe them out
has been carefully planned...using all possible means at our
army's disposal," he added. He denied that the Islamists have
seized control of the strategic mountain pass of Kamchik that
links Tashkent with the Ferghana Valley. Uzbek Foreign
Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov claimed that the Islamists are
receiving support and assistance from unnamed members of the
United Tajik Opposition (UTO). He said that Uzbek and Tajik
forces are cooperating to neutralize the invaders. Other
Uzbek officials have admitted military losses during clashes
with the Islamists. In Washington, U.S. State Department
spokesman Richard Boucher urged the Uzbek authorities to
observe "the maximum restraint" in their actions against the
Islamists in order to keep casualties to a minimum, Reuters
reported. LF
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