August 26, 2010

Politics:
President of China congratulates President of Uzbekistan with Independence Day
President signs resolution on moving days off
At the first September the songs and melodies playing at the square in the national park reflect 19 years of independent development, and the dreams and aspirations of the people.
Chinese delegation visits Uzbekistan
President awards representatives of law-enforcement bodies
President awards Hero of Uzbekistan titles
Uzbekistan sends humanitarian aid to Pakistan
Uzbekistan’s Initiatives on Afghanistan

Economics:
Chevrolet Spark premiere held in Tashkent
Water resource management to improve
Toshguzar-Boysun-Kumkurgan railway line turns three years

Society:
Youth books exhibition opens
710 kg of drugs burnt in Tashkent



POLICY

President of China congratulates President of Uzbekistan with Independence Day

President of China Hu Jintao sent a letter to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, congratulating him on behalf of the Government and the people of China with the 19th anniversary of the proclamation of the independence of Uzbekistan.

“Over the past 19 years since attaining independence, under the leadership of Your Excellency, the Government and the people of Uzbekistan have been firmly following the path of development that corresponds to the realities of their country, ensuring independence, sovereignty and security of the state, contributing to the socioeconomic development and continuously developing ties with foreign states, having reached notable progress in such great deeds as state building and prosperity of the nation. We, close neighbors and friendly partners, are whole-heartedly glad for the successes achieved by the republic,” Hu Jintao’s letter reads.

“From the day of establishment of diplomatic ties between our states, the Chinese-Uzbek relations have always had a dynamic development. Both countries maintain relations in the spirit of mutual trust in politics, implement mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, interact in the field of security and conduct intensive exchange in humanitarian area. Both sides actively support each other in the most important issues representing mutual interest, conduct close cooperation within international organizations like the UNO and the SCO, effectively protect the common interests of the two countries and are actively contributing to the preservation of peace, stability and development of the region and the whole world,” the President of China wrote.

“Your Excellency, during my state visit to your country in June, we exchanged opinions on all-round deepening of political trust and mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas between China and Uzbekistan, as well as reached a number of important agreements. I express readiness to make joint efforts with Your Excellency for active promotion of implementation of the agreements reached by both sides to further raise the level of partnership relations of friendship and cooperation between China and Uzbekistan,” Hu Jintao noted.

The President of China continued: “I expect the visit of Your Excellency to China at any time convenient for both sides.”

He wished power and prosperity to the friendly Uzbekistan and happiness and wellbeing to the country’s people.

Hu Jintao concluded by wishing Islam Karimov strong health and great successes in his activities.

President signs resolution on moving days off

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a resolution on 18 August on moving the days off in connection with celebration of the 19th anniversary of the country’s independence on 1 September.

According to the document, Saturday 28 August and Sunday 29 August have been proclaimed working days, while Monday 30 August and Tuesday 31 August will be days off.

The decision has been made in order to create favorable conditions for the rest of the population and rational use of the working time, the resolution states.

Delegation of China headed by Liu Yunshan, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met the Speaker of Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Dilorom Tashmuhamedova in Tashkent on 24 August.

During the talks, the sides noted that cooperation between Uzbekistan and China was developing consistently in all areas, including the parliamentary sphere.

On the same day, the members of the Chinese delegation visited the state museums of Temurids’ history and history of Uzbekistan, as well as Hazrati Imam (Hastimom) complex in the capital.

The relations between the two countries are developing dynamically in the spirit of the Inter-state treaty on partnership relations of friendship and cooperation, signed during the state visit of President Islam Karimov to China in 2005.

In June 2010, President of China Hu Jintao paid a state visit to Uzbekistan. More than 10 documents on cooperation in various fields were signed during that visit.

President awards representatives of law-enforcement bodies

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree on 26 August 2010 on awarding representatives of the law-enforcement bodies and defense and emergency ministries in connection with the country’s 19th independence anniversary.

A large group of citizens received honorary titles, orders and medals for their contribution to increasing the state’s defense power, protection of national security and active participation in the sociopolitical life.

President awards Hero of Uzbekistan titles

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree on 24 August 2010 on awarding three citizens of the country with the title O‘zbekiston Qahramoni (Hero of Uzbekistan).

The title, given with the country’s highest award, Oltin Yulduz (Golden Star) medal, has been granted to Yusup Ziyayev, Kamolidin Gopirov and Patila Ergasheva.

Yusup Ziyayev is an operator of the railway construction mechanism of the 166th track machine station of Uzbekistan Railways company.

Kamolidin Gopirov is a director of the boarding school No.53 of Shahrikhan district of Andijan region.

Patila Ergasheva is head of Patilakhon farm in Buvaida district of Fergana region.

According to the decree, the high award has been given to the above named persons for their distinctive services to the state and the people in strengthening the country’s independence and deepening the reforms, long and self-sacrificing work in the industrial sector, as well as great contribution to upbringing the young generation in the spirit of patriotism and devotion to the nation.

Uzbekistan sends humanitarian aid to Pakistan

On 21 August, transport aircraft IL-76 delivered humanitarian aid from Tashkent to Islamabad for the people of Pakistan who suffered from massive floods, Jahon news agency reported.

The 40-tons cargo worth USD 300,000 consisted of first-aid items, including tents, blankets, drinking water, medicines, flour, rice, baby food, and adults and children’s clothing.

The mass media of Pakistan widely covered the humanitarian action of Uzbekistan.

English-language newspaper World Tribune Pakistan wrote: “Uzbekistan expressed deepest solidarity with brotherly Islamic Republic of Pakistan in these days of calamity.

The government of the Republic of Uzbekistan has decided to deliver humanitarian aid for the flood victims in Pakistan.”

Other newspaper, Daily Times, in an article titled “World ramps up flood assistance to Pakistan”, wrote: “Uzbekistan will give 40 tons of relief goods to Pakistan for the flood victims. The aid will be delivered by Uzbek transport aircraft, containing tents, blankets, drinking water, medicines, flour, rice, canned baby food, adults and children’s clothing.”

The State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, who participated in the humanitarian cargo handing over ceremony, noted:
“On behalf of the government I express sincere gratitude to the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, to the government of Uzbekistan and the whole brotherly Uzbek nation for provision of such needed humanitarian aid.

“In 2005, when Pakistan was hit by a devastating earthquake, your country was one of the first to lend a helping hand to our people and sent a humanitarian cargo to Islamabad.

“The leadership of your country has once again proved that Uzbekistan will always stand side by side with the people of Pakistan. We are grateful for the aid provided in such a difficult time for Pakistan.

This humanitarian disaster is the largest in the country’s history and has affected over 20 million people.

“On behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari, the Cabinet and the Foreign Ministry, I would like to assure the government of Uzbekistan that the people of Pakistan will never forget the assistance of the brotherly Uzbek people,” the minister said.

Expressing gratitude to the leadership of Uzbekistan, Nematullah Khan, vice chairman of the Pakistan Emergency Agency, said the humanitarian cargo would be immediately distributed among the country’s provinces, according to the government-approved plan.

Baby food, flour, rice and other products will be delivered within two days to the population that suffered from flood, including Navshehra and Attok.

“The medicines delivered within the humanitarian cargo will be handed over the united staff of the Pakistan Health Ministry and the World Health Organization Office in Pakistan, which coordinate the delivery of the medicines to the disaster zones.”

Ambassador of Pakistan to Uzbekistan Muhammad Wahid ul-Khasan, who participated in the humanitarian cargo sending ceremony, also expressed gratitude to the leadership of Uzbekistan for helping the people of Pakistan.

“About 20 million people have been affected by the flood, 4 million of whom have been left homeless. The rains have not stopped, and a new wave of floods is expected. There has never been such a natural disaster in the history of Pakistan. The aid provided by Uzbekistan is very timely. The tents, blankets, water and children’s clothes are required first-aid items.

Both in Uzbekistan and Pakistan there is a proverb: ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’. Our countries have not only friendly, but brotherly ties, which date back centuries. The people of Pakistan remember the brotherly help of your country after the devastating earthquake in 2005. In this context, I would like to note, that the people of Pakistan have special feelings towards the Uzbek people, their ancient culture and traditions,” the Pakistani diplomat emphasized.

Uzbekistan’s Initiatives on Afghanistan

The Paris Academy of Geopolitics has recently published a book “Geostrategy of Afghanistan” with an article “Uzbekistan's Position and Initiative to Address the Afghan Crisis”.

The article detailed the proposal of Uzbekistan, particularly, the initiatives of President Islam Karimov to resolve the Afghan problem.

In the beginning the author of the article notes that “issues related to regional security are a priority for Uzbekistan's foreign policy”.

He further wrote that earlier than many other countries Uzbekistan has condemned the destructive nature of international terrorism and religious extremism. Back in 1993 at the 48th Session of the United Nations General Assembly President Islam Karimov has called on all members of the international community to unite their efforts in combating this global threat, and expressed the need to resolve the Afghan problem, with the support of the international community. It is true that this situation has caused concern in many countries, primarily in the neighboring states. The escalation of tension, obviously, has a direct effect on the regional and global security.

Despite the involvement of the international community in the process of political and economic rehabilitation of Afghanistan, the situation in this country remains complex and unpredictable. It is also complicated by growth of drug trafficking from Afghanistan, where the opium production exceeds 8,000 tons, or more than 90% of world’s production. It should also be noted that drug trafficking is becoming an important source of financing terrorist groups both in Afghanistan and in the neighboring countries.

The article says that to combat all these problems the President of Uzbekistan put forward a number of initiatives aimed at resolving the situation in this country. Position and proposals of the Republic of Uzbekistan on this issue have been re-voiced during the Bucharest NATO Summit in April 2008, SCO and other regional organizations’ summits. In particular, President Islam Karimov stressed that the situation in Afghanistan demonstrates the impossibility of solving the Afghan problem using the armed forces or the strengthening of military means.

The author notes that the war which has been continued for thirty years has destroyed the economic and social infrastructure of the country led to inevitable impoverishment of the population.

In this regard, the publication quotes words of President Islam Karimov from the speech at a joint meeting of the Senate and Legislative Chamber of the Uzbek parliament: “During thirty years of war billions of dollars have been spent to resolve the Afghan problem. The current situation requires new strategies to approach to this structural crisis”.

In such a situation, as stressed by the Uzbek President, priority should be give to provide targeted economic assistance, construction and establishment of modern economic and social infrastructure to provide employment, as well as solving the acute problems of combating poverty. It is also necessary to ensure a respectful attitude towards national and religious values, centuries-old traditions and customs of the multinational and multiconfessional Afghan people.

The report further underlines that the necessary strategy for achieving these goals would be to restart the 6+2 Contact Group on Afghanistan (Iran, Pakistan, China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Russia and the US), which successfully functioned in the late 1990s, transforming it into a 6 +3 Group by including in this process NATO. “The initiative of President Islam Karimov demonstrates his correct understanding of the current complex situation in the region”, the author writes.

According to the author, “taking into account these positive initiatives, the Contact Group in the new format could be an effective mechanism for international cooperation to find acceptable solutions Afghan perspective”.

The article concludes that Uzbekistan, which has actively participated in international efforts to promote stability and comprehensive development of Afghanistan, attaches great importance to friendly and good neighborly relations with this country. This, according to the author, is caused not only by common borders but also the mutual interest of cooperation to ensure peace, stability and progress in the area.

In conclusion, the author of article recalls that in order to support the promotion of the international community to Afghanistan in December 2002, the Uzbek government has decided to reopen the Khairaton Bridge on the border between the two countries. In November 2003 Ayritom customs complex was commissioned in the city of Termiz. At the request of the Afghan government Uzbekistan built additional eleven bridges in the area of Mazari-Sharif-Kabul, which ensures uninterrupted communication between the northern and the southern part of the country and to strengthen trade relations between the two countries. Since early 2002, the electricity supply has been restored to Afghanistan. In practice, Uzbekistan renders assistance in rebuilding the Afghan economy, in particular, provides fuel, construction materials, fertilizers, food products, and more.

ECONOMY

Chevrolet Spark premiere held in Tashkent

GM Uzbekistan joint venture presented its new car Chevrolet Spark on 25 August at Uzexpocenter in Tashkent.

Spark is the seventh model launched at GM Uzbekistan’s automobile plant in Asaka, Andijan region. The production capacity of the new car is 50,000 per year, part of which will be exported.

GM Uzbekistan and General Motors Daewoo Auto and Technology (South Korea) signed a contract on supply of equipment and machinery for the launch of Spark production in September 2008. In January 2009, the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan passed a resolution on the launch of the production of the new model in Asaka.

Despite the world economic crisis, Uzavtosanoat company, which unites Uzbek cars and parts manufacturing enterprises, and General Motors had decided to move forward with the new model, given the stable demand for low-cost cars and with the aim to expand the range of production.

Chevrolet Spark is a modern car with modernized exterior and interior. Its sharp forms break the traditional notion on the design of the city car, the producers say.

With safety bags and highly durable steel in the construction, Spark received the highest safety mark in its segment. The car received four stars during crash tests according to European standards EuroNCAP.

At the presentation of the Spark, GM Uzbekistan director general Shuhrat Yusupov said the national automobile industry, created on the initiative of the country’s President Islam Karimov, has become the symbol of the creative potential of the Uzbek economy.

Starting with models Damas, Tico and Nexia, Uzbekistan then launched production of Matiz and Lacetti, followed by upgraded Damas and Nexia.

In 2008, the Uzbek car industry started working with a new partner and investor – General Motors. Production of Lacetti, Captiva and Epica cars under the Chevrolet brand was started.

The Uzbek automobiles enjoy high popularity both within the country and in foreign states. GM Uzbekistan exports cars to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Georgia and Moldova. GM Uzbekistan dealers operate in 104 cities of the CIS. In May 2010, a new distribution center of GM Uzbekistan was opened in the Afghan city of Mazari-Sharif.

Uzavtosanoat representatives said they hoped the Spark would be especially popular among the young people, which prefer convenient and functional options of the economic class.

According to GM Uzbekistan, the new car will go on sale across the country from 26 August.

Water resource management to improve

Agriculture and Water Management Ministry of Uzbekistan with support from China is carrying out reconstruction of Ulugnor, Gulbahor and Raish-Hakent-1 pump stations in Andijan region.

“Each of the three projects has a great importance in reliable and efficient water supply to agricultural lands in the region and introduction of modern irrigation technologies,” deputy head of foreign investments and projects monitoring department of the Agriculture Ministry Buzrukkhon Jumaboyev told UzA.

“Ulugnor pump station received modern aggregates with low energy consumption. Reconstruction works should complete by the end of this year. The project will allow to reduce energy consumption, improve water supply and create conveniences for the local famers,” he added.

Two other projects envisage installation of 14 pump aggregates in Andijan, Jalalquduq and Buloqboshi districts. After the completion of the reconstruction and improvement of the water supply, crop capacity will increase on 7,000 hectares of lands in the region.

Today, over 75,000 hectares of lands are irrigates with use of pumps in Andijan. A total of 143 pumps are functioning in the region to irrigate cotton, grain, vegetable and other fields.

Toshguzar-Boysun-Kumkurgan railway line turns three years

Toshguzar-Boysun-Kumkurgan railway line began operating on 24 August three years ago.

Development of the railway system, which is the lifeblood of the economy, has a great strategic importance. Since proclaiming independence, Uzbekistan has been paying a great attention to laying new roads and construction of appropriate infrastructure, connecting the country to other states and regions.

The construction and commissioning of the railway line Toshguzar-Boysun-Kumkurgan was one of the most important events in the railway sector. The opening of the road was an important stage in creating the single railway system in the country.

The 223-km railway line was laid along Gissar mountain system at 1,800 meters above sea level. It has allowed to connect the remote territories of Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions to the country’s capital and other cities, as well as neighboring countries.

New railway stations were constructed along the railway line – in Toshguzar, Dehkanabad, Boysun, Kumkurgan, Okrabot and Darband.

The Toshguzar-Boysun-Kumkurgan railway line has created opportunities for the development of natural resources, production of oil and gas, nonferrous metals, coal, potassium salt, construction materials and other valuable minerals in Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions.

The road plays an important role in the development of transport and communications, health, education, services in remote mountain villages.

With the opening of the road, construction of potash fertilizer plant began in Dehkanabad with participation of foreign investors. The foundation was laid for development of polymetallic mine Khonjiza and coal mines Shargun and Boysun, as well as construction of cement plants in Surkhandarya region.

According to head of Dehkanabad station Sirojiddin Norkobilov, about 400 railway cars are received and sent by the station monthly, and 10,000 to 15,000 tons of cargo is sent to various destinations.

Recently, a new microprocessor centralized system was introduced at the station, which manages movement of trains from one track to another, their departure and all other processes.

The ambitious railway project has undoubtedly increased the efficiency of transport sector. Thanks to the railway line, the distance of transportation of cargoes and passengers was reduced to 170 km and time by 7 hours.

SOCIETY

710 kg of drugs burnt in Tashkent

The National Security Service of Uzbekistan jointly with other law-enforcement bodies destroyed a large amount of narcotic substances seized during the fight against drug trade.

Representatives of the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia, as well as state and public organizations, diplomatic corps and the media participated in the drug burning ceremony at a plant in Sergeli district.

A total of 710.7 kg of drugs were destroyed, including 497 kg of heroin, 49.2 kg of opium, 162 kg of hashish and 2.5 kg of koknar.

UNODC regional representative Masud Karimipur said the law-enforcement organs of Uzbekistan were carrying out a successful work in combating the illegal drug circulation.

He stressed the importance of coordinated actions in fighting drug business on the international scale.

According to the National Drug Control Information and Analytical Center of the Cabinet of Ministers, in the first half of this year, 4,584 drug-related crimes were recorded in Uzbekistan.

In total, 2,457 kg of drugs were seized from the illegal circulation in the country in January-June 2010 compared to 1,820 kg in the same period of last year.

The Afghan opium and heroin are brought in Uzbekistan mainly through Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan itself.

66 foreign citizens were detained in the first half year for drug-related crimes, including citizens of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan and Turkey.

Youth books exhibition opens

Exhibition of books dedicated to the 19th anniversary of the independence of Uzbekistan opened at the Youth Information and Resource Center of the Alisher Navoi National Library.

The exhibition, which reflects the idea that “The people, their rights and interests are the highest value”, presents feature and scientific literature, magazines and photo albums.

A part of the exhibition consists of the works by President Islam Karimov, as well as sociopolitical and economic literature.

Of great interest are art and history books about the life, work and priceless heritage of Amir Temur, Mirzo Ulugbek and Alisher Navoi.