OSCE Magazine features police reform in Kyrgyzstan, interview with U.S. Ambassador

VIENNA, 28 October 2004 - Kyrgyzstan's ground-breaking efforts to modernize its culture of policing, U.S. views on the future of the OSCE and on its role in observing next week's U.S. presidential election, combating the new "cyber-hate", and countering extremism by safeguarding freedom of belief are the main themes of the OSCE Magazine's October issue.

The Magazine's cover story features the men and women who are playing a dynamic part in implementing the 3.8 million-euro Police Assistance Programme in Kyrgyzstan - the Organization's largest activity of its kind.

Senior Police Adviser and former New Scotland Yard Commander, Richard Monk, explains in an interview why the OSCE chose Kyrgyzstan as the first country in Central Asia to benefit from the Organization's expertise in democratic policing and why there is no such thing as a "quick fix" in police reform.

In a separate, four-page interview, U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE Stephen M. Minikes surveys current "bold ideas" on how the Organization should evolve. He disagrees with arguments that the OSCE applies double standards and that there is a geographic and thematic imbalance in its activities.

Responding to some U.S. commentators critical of Washington's decision to invite the Organization to observe next Tuesday's presidential election, he says: "The U.S. takes its OSCE commitments seriously; in line with these, we are obligated to invite OSCE observers."

The issue features the French and U.S. perspectives on tackling racism and intolerance on the Internet, with the goal of exploring a middle ground.

In other articles, experts examine possible solutions to countering religious extremism in Central Asia, focusing on northern Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

Published in English and Russian, the OSCE Magazine can be accessed on the OSCE website. Readers can also subscribe to the print version at www.osce.org/publications/magazine or at osce-magazine-at@osce.org.