A unique opportunity for Uzbekistan, says OSCE Chairman-in-Office

TASHKENT, 22 October 2001 (OSCE) - "Uzbekistan has a unique opportunity to change its destiny. By deciding to take part in the broad coalition against terrorism, it has moved one step further towards its integration with the wider world. It is up to its leaders and to the international community to foster this process within a constructive and equal partnership", said the Chairman-in Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana.

Together with a large delegation of the OSCE, Mr. Geoana met today in Tashkent with the President of Uzbekistan, H.E. Islam Karimov, the country's Prime Minister, Mr. Utkur Sultanov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Abdulaziz Kamilov, the Speaker of Oliy Majlis (Parliament) Mr. Erkin Khalilov, as well as with representatives of civil society and local media. Promoting a regional approach to achieve security and stability in Central Asia, Mr. Geoana discussed the perspectives in Afghanistan after the completion of the current military campaign.

"Uzbekistan deserves more attention from the international community which could offer solutions to the country on the basis of an equal partnership. Uzbekistan should further engage in the democratization process, opening its society and promoting good governance. The international community would assist in strengthening the security and sustainable economic development of the country", stressed Mr. Geoana.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office suggested that this partnership be approached not in the spirit of imposing solutions but working with Uzbekistan in finding solutions. "Mistakes may have been made in the past through approaches which were perceived as patronizing and resulted in a lack of confidence and misunderstanding", noted Mr. Geoana who advocated that all partners should be considered equal contributors to human civilization. Uzbekistan, noted Mr. Geoana, should build upon the wealth of its natural and human resources as well as on the tolerant original nature of Islam.

The Chairman-in-Office suggested that the OSCE should play a significant role in the proposed partnership. "The OSCE has focused predominantly on the human dimension in Uzbekistan. We should not do less on the human dimension, but more on the social, economic and security fronts".

Mr. Geoana praised Uzbekistan for its support in the fight against terrorism. He repeated however that the international community would not accept that counter-terrorism should be used to justify the suppression of human rights. "There is no excuse for abuses of human rights", he said.