19 January, 2012
Politics:
Festive greetings to Motherland Defenders in honor of twentieth anniversary of Uzbekistan’s Armed Forces
Uzbekistan and Vietnam observe 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations
Economics:
Emphasis on Economy
Uzbekistan to attract foreign investments for US$3.2bn in 2011
Society:
Arguments Contra
Young musicians give concert in Tashkent
POLITICS
Festive greetings to Motherland Defenders in honor of twentieth anniversary of Uzbekistan’s Armed Forces
Dear the ranks and sergeants, officers and generals, veterans of Armed Forces!
I take a great pleasure to sincerely congratulate you, the ones who have devoted themselves to the noble deed of defending the Homeland, and all our compatriots on the momentous date in the life of our nation – the twentieth anniversary of formation of our Armed Forces and the Day of Motherland Defenders.
Wide-scale and profound, systemic and gradual strides have been made in Uzbekistan during independence years toward building modern, agile, well-armed forces capable of effectively addressing tactical and strategic tasks in ensuring the security and stability of the country and inviolability of its borders.
Given the contemporary requirements and the peculiarities of potential seats of war, the organizational and staff structure of the Armed Forces has undergone a fundamental transformation. An effective system has been instituted to command forces headed by Joint Staff that has come to be an indisputable core of operational and policy control, of organizing operational training and armed force application.
Military districts have been formed, as has a system of guarding state borders; mobile, self-sufficient units have been created on critical operational directions, first and foremost – battalions of Special Operations Forces, Terrorism Combat Corps capable of repulsing any aggressive rush by potential adversaries and armed bands willing to infringe on the inviolability of borders and shatter our people’s peace and quiet.
Provision of general brigades with helicopters has remarkably raised their combat capabilities, dexterity, firepower, their ability to conduct swift combat operations with lightning speed.
Wide-ranging efforts have been undertaken in equipping the armed forces with modern weaponry and hardware. Training of sergeants as well as strategically thinking and intellectually advanced officer corps of command staff has been organized on the essentially new technical and moral-ethical basis.
The conscription period has been reduced to one year. The induction itself takes place once a year. A service of mobilization induction reserve has been introduced. To date, more than half the total number of servicemen and women are sergeants and privates called up by contract. All this has helped cardinally transform the face and combat capabilities of our armed forces, the moral-ethical environment in military personnel.
We have attached vital importance to boosting social support, creating essential living conditions for service people and their families. Just within the last five years, monthly money allowance of servicemen and women of all categories has risen threefold on average, while that of conscripts, including their retirement benefit, has grown eight times.
Looking back and assessing the work undertaken, we have every reason to declare that our armed forces not only protect currently the boundaries of our native land, the peace and quiet of our people, but also are becoming a genuine school with a quenching power of forming a sturdy willpower, physical tenacity and noble human qualities, ability to think independently, to perfect practical professional skills. In a word, military service is truly becoming a school of nurturing courage, firmness and faithful service for the good of Motherland.
Dear friends!
The significance of transforming and raising the operational readiness of the armed forces is currently conditioned primarily by the rapidly changing world, the continuing growth of tension in the Middle East and around the Persian Gulf, the complicated situation in the region given the mounting confrontation, variety of threats and challenges to security.
Given its geopolitical and geostrategic importance, enormous mineral resources, Central Asia is turning into a subject of keenest attention by major powers, and is characterized by the enduring tension and confrontation in Afghanistan where the war has been going on for more than thirty years.
The forthcoming declared withdrawal of US forces and the International Security Assistance Force from Afghanistan in 2014 may lead to a rising threat of terrorist and extremist expansion, growth of tension and antagonism in this wider region, to an emergence of permanent source of instability.
The deteriorating socio-economic situation in certain countries of the region has been posing a grave challenge to regional stability and security, creating an environment facilitating the growth of social discontent, the constant staffing and reinforcement of extremist forces with fresh recruits.
At the same time, it is essential to always bear in mind the cardinally transformed conditions and nature of contemporary military operations distinct with surprise and swiftness, application of small mobile units.
Analysis of combat operations in contemporary military conflicts and local wars demonstrates the application of fundamentally new battle systems of special designation, the growing frequency of contactless forms and methods of warfare with application of state-of-the-art information technologies and latest high-precision weapons systems.
In general, the evaluation of political, socio-economic and military-political situation shaping in Central Asia and the wider world underlines the mounting tendency toward expanding threats to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.
All this requires the implementation of advance systemic measures aimed at further perfection and elevation of effectiveness of the entire system of defense and security of the country, persistence in efforts directed at comprehensive consolidation of capabilities and operational readiness of the armed forces.
In contemporary realities, Ministry of Defense, Joint Staff of Armed Forces, chiefs of military districts and forces, commanders of brigades, all the officer corps ought to regard as their critical task the execution of priorities and guidelines outlined in the Directive of Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted in honor of the twentieth anniversary of Uzbek Armed Forces.
A particular emphasis should be placed thence on the further accumulation of experience, perfection and enhancement of knowledge of basic principles and methods of conducting military operations in conditions of potential theater of hostilities in our region, on nurturing the ability in the troops to swiftly orientate oneself and take decisions in extreme and complicated conditions, on knowledge of the basics of application of modern and high-precision weaponry and other peculiarities of contemporary combat operations.
High commands of the armed forces and military districts should concentrate their most serious attention on the work toward raising the effectiveness of planning, organization and holding command-staff and tactical exercises that should become a school for elaborating diverse models of conducting combat operations in conditions of contemporary theaters of war.
We ought to keep concentrating on reequipping the units and subdivisions with latest weapons systems, their supply means, on setting up a robust repairs foundation necessary for maintaining the operational readiness and modernizing the existing arms and military hardware.
System of training, retraining and raising the proficiency of command and sergeant staff requires cardinal improvement. New quality of military education and combat training is a vital prerequisite for uplifting the capabilities of the armed forces.
We should continue to work toward advancement of commanding and leadership qualities in sergeant cadres, their proficiency in the latest forms and methods of military training, a skillful application of entrusted modern weaponry and military hardware by the personnel, along with strengthening the role of sergeants in the improvement of moral-ethical climate and discipline in primary subdivisions. An environment of competition, material and moral stimulus should be created for these purposes.
Securing a high level of combat readiness of platoons is the most critical task on our way to enhancing the agility and operational capabilities of the armed forces. Meeting this challenge requires revision of all policy, charter, planning and directional documents and regulations designed to identify the growing role and significance of platoons in conditions of changing tactics of conducting military operations, peculiarities of theaters of war.
Under circumstances whereby specter of tasks of platoons complicate and expand, the role they are assigned to sharply enhances, so do the requirements to commanders of platoons and their professional training. Today, a platoon commander should be a finely erudite and highly proficient officer, a person able to independently take unconventional decisions amid extreme situations, skillfully manage the entrusted subdivision both in combat and everyday activities.
We must remain focused on timely and complete execution of adopted government programs directed at providing the servicemen and women with housing, improving the social conditions of living and serving by the rank and file, sergeants and officer corps.
The social security of military service people ought to be considered as a task of special significance since in contemporary circumstances, only socially protected service people as well as well-trained, robust, comprehensively equipped armed forces are capable of ensuring the security of our nation.
Dear compatriots!
On this festive day, greeting you on the twentieth anniversary of Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, I express my earnest gratitude to all those who are having a hard time serving in the armed forces, who fulfill their official duty to protect the Motherland with their tireless labor and, when needed, at the expense of their health and life.
I would like to convey my words of sincere gratefulness to your families and close ones. They can rightfully take pride in their children, husbands and fathers for their reputable feat of arms for the good of Homeland.
I wish you all a sound health, happiness and the best of luck in the new year 2012!
Islam Karimov,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Uzbekistan and Vietnam observe 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov sent congratulation to the
President of Socialist Republic of Vietnam Truong Tan Sang in connection with the 20th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between two states.
In his message, Islam Karimov underlined that Uzbekistan regards Vietnam with huge sympathy and respect to the country with ancient history and original culture, which defended its independence and integrity due to firmness and courage of people and made significant break-through in social and economic development.
Uzbek leader noted that two states achieved significant results in long-term and multilateral cooperation in last 20 years. He said that the political dialogue is developing fruitfully and the countries render mutual support at international arena, establish mutual beneficial economic and investment partnership, first of all in oil and gas, and other perspective industries.
Islam Karimov expressed his assurance that Uzbekistan and Vietnam will continue joint efforts on strengthening traditional long-term friendship relations based on principles of mutual respect and trust.
President of Uzbekistan wished strong health and great achievements in his responsible activity to the Vietnamese leader, and the progress and prosperity to the friendly people of Vietnam.
In his turn, President of Socialist Republic of Vietnam Truong Tan Sang also congratulated his Uzbek counterpart Islam Karimov with this occasion.
Truong Tan Sang said that the multilateral relations between Vietnam and Uzbekistan significantly improved in last 20 years and the countries made significant achievements in construction and development their states.
Citizens of Vietnam remember the official visit of the President Islam Karimov to Vietnam, which took place 15 years ago, with warm feeling. He said that the visit created firm foundation for current friendly relations between two countries. The cooperation between Vietnam and Uzbekistan is strengthening regularly and developing in many areas, which meet interests of two nations, he added.
Vietnamese President expressed his assurance that multilateral and mutual beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan will strengthen further and develop for well-being and prosperity of two states. Truong Tan Sang wished that bilateral relations will always strengthen and develop.
Vietnamese President wished strong health and great success in his post to the President of Uzbekistan and well-being to people of Uzbekistan.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
ECONOMY
Emphasis on Economy
Leading analysts of Shanghai Academy of International Studies participated in a roundtable discussion of prospects of the Uzbek-Chinese cooperation.
The event was organized by the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Shanghai together with the SCO Centre for Economic Cooperation and Humanitarian Relations under the China Foundation for International Studies.
The increased interest of Chinese experts attracted the political cooperation and prospects for economic cooperation between China and Uzbekistan.
Director, Center for Russian Studies Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Pan Davey noted that the Uzbek-Chinese partnership has a high level of dynamism, as well as trade and economic and investment opportunities were gaining a momentum. He stressed that China consider President Islam Karimov as a visionary politician and strategist, who achieved a long-term stability in the republic and the growth of macroeconomic indicators.
The participants noted that the political and expert communities of China appreciates Uzbekistan’s permanence policy on combating terrorism, the desire to deepen cooperation in economy, trade, energy, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of World Economy Li Xin drew attention to the full, effective legislative base in Uzbekistan, which is a basis for updating all aspects of society. The country has created its own unique development model with its inherent characteristics, which is characterized by a gradual process and the reform, rejection of unacceptable ‘shock therapy’, taking full account of the historical, ethnic and traditional features of the country, permanent following the course of maintaining social stability, respect for the paramount role of a state with an emphasis on the economy, he said.
Xin Li also stressed that the dramatic structural changes in the economy contributed to the output of domestic products on world markets, the largest amount of construction of industrial and social objects. A rich experience Accumulated in Uzbekistan, solving the global crisis, according to experts, is worth studying and further use.
(Source: Ut.uz)
Uzbekistan to attract foreign investments for US$3.2bn in 2011
The Government of Uzbekistan is planning to use foreign investments for 3.198 billion in 2012.
In line with the presidential resolution “On investment programme of Uzbekistan for 2012”, the country plans to implement 144 investment projects.
In particular, Uzbekistan is planning to attract US$900.7 million on 47 projects of foreign loans under the guarantee of the government. Due to foreign investments, the country plans to use US$2.297 billion on 97 projects.
Fuel-energy sector of Uzbekistan will use the largest volume of investments – US$2.179 billion soums on 43 projects. At the same time, oil and gas sector will attract US$1.894 billion of foreign direct investments for 34 projects. (Source: UzDaily.com)
SOCIETY
Arguments Contra
An article ‘Environmental Disasters in Central Asia’ was published on the pages of the Italian electronic news agency Il Corriere d’Italia
It wrote a roundtable on current problems of environmental safety and health, role of civil society institutions in their resolution, organized in Tashkent by the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan. It was attended by foreign experts.
A particular attention was drawn to the problem of the Aral Sea. The problem of the disappearance is one of the most convincing and vivid arguments against unbalanced and not designed for resistance to acts performed by man. It was the fourth largest lake in the world.
Injudicious use of these rivers in the Soviet era has led to the catastrophic draining of the water basin and the surrounding area before flowering. The retreat of the coastline led to the formation of salt-desert, in which all extinct flora and fish fauna”.
More over, Il Corriere d`Italia wrote a great threat to the environment and socio-economic welfare of the Amudaryo basin is the Rogun project in Tajikistan, developed back in the 70s of last century. As is known, its construction is expected in the zone of seismicity is 8-10 on the Richter scale. Today the government of Tajikistan intends to implement the old plan with a dam height of 335 m (it will be the highest in the world). And intends to erect it, without waiting for the results of the technical expertise of international experts. All requests and appeals, which directed the representatives of Uzbekistan the Tajik authorities, were not heard.
In this regard, the Italian agency concludes that there is a necessity for international organizations to involve that Tajikistan has taken all necessary measures to eliminate the risks of potential environmental disaster in accordance with international law.
The world comes to understand the extent of danger posed by the flippant attitude towards the environment. Meanwhile, the solution of pressing global issues such as environmental, requires the combined energetic efforts of international organizations, regions, states and the public, Il Corriere d`Italia emphasizes. (Source: Ut.uz)
Young musicians give concert in Tashkent
Republican Specialized Musical Academic Lyceum named after Uspensky hosted a concert “Winter Joys” on 13 January 2012, which was dedicated to the Year of Family.
Fund Forum said that the event was attended by laureates of Children Creativity Festival “Yangi Avlod”, Talented Youth Competition “Kelajak Ovozi” and other national and international competitions.
The concert presented both global hits and own works of the participants. Fund Forum and Republican Specialized Musical Academic Lyceum named after Uspensky organized the concert.
Fund Forum said that the participants performed songs of various genres in Uzbek, Russian, English, French, Arab and Chinese. The concert attracted friends, parents, teachers of the participants and music admirers. (Source: UzDaily.com)