From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Fri Aug 25 2000 - 10:25:33 EDT
RUSSIA OFFERS TO ASSIST UZBEKISTAN IN FIGHT WITH ISLAMIC
MILITANTS
The first deputy chief of the Russian army general
staff, Colonel General Valerii Manilov, told journalists in
Moscow on 24 August that Russia is ready and willing to offer
assistance to Uzbekistan to neutralize fighters from the
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan who have twice invaded that
country this month, Russian agencies reported. Manilov
characterized the present situation in Uzbekistan as "under
control." Uzbek Deputy Prosecutor-General Azimzhon Ergashev
told Interfax on 24 August that the Islamic militants "are
criminals and cannot be regarded as opposition members."
Uzbek government troops have orders to kill the militants
rather than take them prisoner. Also on 24 August, Tashkent
police chief Shurakhim Rasulov told Interfax that Interior
Ministry and army troops have surrounded the area where the
Islamist gunmen who infiltrated from neighboring Tajikistan
earlier this week are believed to be located. LF
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