From: Abraham Rein (ARein@sorosny.org)
Date: Tue Aug 15 2000 - 11:11:55 EDT
...WHILE MILITANTS' AIMS REMAIN UNCLEAR. Ibraimov also said
in Bishkek on 14 August that the invading Islamist forces
included foreign mercenaries from Afghanistan, Chechnya and
unnamed Arab states as well as members of the banned Islamic
Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU). Ibraimov said the militants'
aim is "to destabilize the whole of Central Asia," according
to Interfax. But Reuters quoted an Iranian Radio broadcast,
monitored by the BBC, as claiming that the militants have
demanded that the Uzbek government release all imprisoned IMU
members, reopen closed mosques, allow Islamic dress, and
introduce Sharia law. Kyrgyz parliamentary deputy Dosbol Nur
Uulu, who negotiated with IMU members to secure the release
of hostages seized by the IMU in the late summer of 1999,
estimated the total membership of the IMU at 6,000-7,000,
according to Reuters. LF
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