From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Fri Aug 18 2000 - 10:31:33 EDT
Uzbek troops "mopping up" militants in south: Uzbek TV
Text of report by Uzbek TV on 17th August
[Presenter] Now about events in [southern Uzbek] Surkhandarya Region, where
the operation to wipe out the group of international terrorists who have
infiltrated into the territory of Saryassiya and Uzun Districts is
continuing.
[Correspondent over video of servicemen in action, the map of the region]
According to first-hand reports from by the general staff of the republic's
armed forces, it has been relatively calm in northern mountainous areas of
Surkhandarya Region in the last few days. There were no attempts by the
remnants of the terrorists to break through the encirclement. On the whole,
the bandits have not revealed their whereabouts by any actions. Staff of
the Surkhandarya Region Internal Affairs Directorate carried out standard
security measures in the villages of Tamarkhut, Zevar, Khovat and Zombag,
which included the checking of documents. Units of our forces are
continuing to scout the area and mop up the territory.
[S. Ismailov, a deputy head of the directorate for external reconnaissance,
captioned, shown in an office] Corpses of the fighters are being brought in
every day. They are being brought to be identifed and to carry out medical
examinations. The number of corpses is close to the initial number of the
fighters who infiltrated into the area.
[Correspondent over video of officers in an office] The chief headquarters
denied reports alleging that units are being withdrawn from the combat zone
and they are being replaced by border guards.
[Ismailov] Until the last fighter is wiped out the troops will not be
removed from the area. Unless there is absolute confidence that the area is
clear, the units will stay there.
[Correspondent over video of uniformed men getting into a helicopter, a
village scene from air, a landed helicopter, servicemen carrying out the
operation] The headquarters of the united armed forces for carrying out
combat actions: the time is 1600 [1100 gmt]. A special civilian helicopter
took a route towards mountain passes. The purpose of the flight is to get
acquainted with the current situation in the mountain villages. The
operation to destroy the gang of terrorists who attempted to cross into our
country via the mountainous areas of Uzun and Saryassiya Districts is
ending. [passage to end omitted: helicopters supply provisions and other
things; video of servicemen who are said to be vigilantly watching passes,
paths and operations are well organized, the areas are strictly controlled;
video of civilians being evacuated from villages]
Source: Uzbek Television first channel, Tashkent, in Russian 1430 gmt 17 Aug
00
BBC Mon CAU 170800/** va/mi
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