Uzbekistan

RL’s journalists Temur Kocaoglu and Anvarjan broadcasted in Uzbek Selestin Bolin’s article published in New York Times and Elizabeth Rubinfine’s article published in Wall Street Journal,

1. "The editor-in-chief of the journal Sayfuddin Juraev was interviewed by RL’s Tashkent stringer Hikmatulla qori oghli Furqat about his new journal Istiqlol (“Future”).

2. Co-chairman of the BIRLIK Popular Movement, Doctor of Cybernetics Abdurahim Pulatov in his interview given to the RL journalist on September 27 states that this system (formed by Islam Karimov) is a real communistic system.

1. In his interview the co-chairman of the BIRLIK Movement Abdurahim Pulatov criticizes severely Uzbek pro-government ‘scholars’ and their definition of the national ideology.

2. RL’s stringer Zikrilla Ishanch visitied Shibirghan city of North Afghanistan, conversed with local Uzbeks, interviewed them, and prepared this program devoted to the Northern Afghan dialect of the Uzbek language.

1. Theater critic, BIRLIK member Nosir Zokir was interviewed on current situation of intellectual life in Uzbekistan. He states that former communist advocates suddenly changed their faces and became the "supporters" of independence in Uzbekistan, while the real supporters of independence, who struggled for independence are arrested today.

2. Discussion on Uzbek poet, founder of Moghul empire in India Muhammad Zahriddin Babur's creative works (in connection with 510 anniversary of his birth) concerning Naqshbandiya spirit in his poems.

PROGRAM RL ON 12 JANUARY 1994 A)Important events of the day, b) US - Ukrainian relations, c) On NATO and ZHIRINOVSKI, d) On Kazakhstan's nucleis arms.

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DAY'S PROGRAM a) Russian influence on Central Asian republics: Double citizenship problem; b) On economic and political reforms in Uzbekistan. In his discussion RL correspondent Temur Khodja critisized the ideas of Uzbek prof. NURSULTON TUHLIEV, expressed in his article; c) Echoes of Central Asian press: Islam Karimov and TURKMENBASHI Safarmurad Niyazov for Nobel prize ???!!! Poet Yadgar Abid, in his interview, given to RL, describes all efforts of former communist rulers on this issue. d) Discussion on Uzbek Literary critics between prof. Ozod Sharafutdinov and Sanjat Sadiq

a) Important events of the day from Central Asia: Kyrghyzstan. B) Prof. W. Fierman was interviewed in connection with his visit to Tashkent. Indiana University prof. Was invited by an organisation to visit Uzbekistan. But he ws kept at Tashkent airport for three days and then let go to Germany without any reason.

1. DAY'S PROGRAM IMPORTANT NEWS: a) Human rights issues and US assistance to foreign countries, b) Shermatova Sanobar gave an interview on the Referendum in Kyrghyzstan. She supported the activities of the president Askar Akaev, especially president's approach to dual citizenship and bilingual problems in Kyrghyzstan. SIDE:B c) On Altin-Almas company in Kazakhstan and increasing hold fund of the republic, d) Discussion on Afghan problem : Under the title "Central Asia under Afghan threat" ERK party leader SALIH, M. was interviewed by a RL correspondent.

2. AFGHAN PROBLEM: "CENTRAL ASIA UNDER AFGHAN THREAT" Muhammad SALIK, ERK party leader was interviewed on this problem In his answer he sai: 'More than one and a half century before Afghanistan was created by Russia and England as a buffer zone, buffer state, and pushtoons ruled it till the period when Soviet army left the country. Beginning this period, other local tribes, nations or nationalities, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Turkmens, Hazars, etc. were against the fact that again only Pushtoons will come into power. Their anger was natural. We, uzbeks cannot build walls between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. We must help our neighbour in all possible ways".

a) Discussions on Azerbayjan and Armeniya problem, b) Discussions on MESHETI TURKS problem. The leader of Mesheti Turks Yusuf Sarvarov was interviewed by RL correspondent on Moscow conference devoted to the problem of Mesheti Turks. The aim of this conference was to establish the origin of Mesheti Turks and to give the correct answer to the question: Are Meshetis Turks by origin or Georgians, speaking in a Turkic language? Georgian communists demanded that if Mesheties will name themselves as Georgians they will be allowed to move to the territory of Georgia. Russian scholars made speeches in the conference and stated the Mesheties are Turkic speaking local people who always lived in that part of today's Georgia.

NEWS FROM CIS: a) Uzbek poet Yadgar Abid gave an interview on Russian influence on Georgia. Because of this influence Georgia had to become a CIS member, Georgia became Russia's more obedient young brother. SIDE: B b) On Afghan events, c) Holy Koran in Chinese, d) Under the title TODAY'S LETTERS RUZI NASAR's letter concerning ambassador Malikov's seeking asylum, was read.

NEW FROM CIS: a) Yeltsin's illness, b) Russian economics: inflation rate in Russia, c) Water problems in Near East, d) Violation the Human rights in Uzbekistan. QURBANY, ERK party activist Safar Bekjon's wife was interviewed by RL correspondent. She spoke about the violations of human rights in Uzbekistan, and arresting her husband without charging guilt. SIDE: B On Uzbek poetry in abroad. On creative works of MAHJURIY, who lived in Saudi Arabia and wrote poems in Uzbek.

Discussions on the article published in government newspaper OZBEKISTAN OVOZI under the title "Vatan mas'uliyati" (The Responsibility of Homeland). In his discussions Yadgar Abid said in particula: " When BIRLIK struggled to adopt Uzbek as a state language communists, promoscow authorities like Sarvar Azimov, U. Umarbekov, were against. When BIRLIK and ERK struggled for independence, this category of promoscow guys again were against. They stated the Uzbekistan cannot survive independently. When Uzbekistan became independent the leader (= president) said: "Uzbeks are not ready to live under democracy".

a) Uzbekistan's advertisments in US press, US TODAY. B) The chairman of NAWRUZ FUND Dadkhan Yakubov was interviewed by RL correspondent. In his answer he said in particular that Nawruz Fund is a humanitarian fund which mostly helps to certain disabled persons, to those who suffered, as well as this fund assists orphanages.

1. a) The head of Nawruz Fund Dadakhan Yakubov was interviewed in connection with the celebration of the traditional Nawruz Holiday in Uzbekistan. b) Uzbek Literary topic. On Uzbek poet living in Afghanistan: PARVONA.

2. DISCUSSIONS ON THE HISTORY OF THE UZBEK NATION. Ahmedov Buribay is a doctor of History, correspondent-member of Uzbek Academy of Sciences. To the question of the interviewer "Why Amir Temur(Temurlane)'s grave was opened in June 1941? In what purpose?"- the scholar B. Ahmedov answered: " Once this question wsa given me in the Writers' Society. After that I went to the state archive and found that there existed the only document adopted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan. In that document it was said: "In order to study the history of that period to open the graves of Temur, his sons, grandson, his wife"

a) THE TAJIK PROBLEM . Russian deputy minister of foreign affairs Adamishin's visit to Tashkent, Dushanbe and its results. The Tajik opposition and their readiness to negotiations with Tajik communist leaders. This discussion prepared by Sanobar Shermatova was broadcasted two days before (See: Tape 26 Side B). SIDE: B b) On Nawruz Holiday. How this Holidy is celebrated in Afghanistan. The history of Nawruz. This discussion was prepared in Afghanistan by RL correspondent.

a) DISCUSSIONS ON THE RUSSIAN PRESS. Russian press on Uzbek events. Russian publications (PRAVDA, SEGODNYA, etc.) on Safarbay Bekjan's arrest and sentencing to three years. B) Tajikistan-Uzbek Society in Dushanbe which was founded in the capital of Tajikistan in 1994. RL correspondent Azizulla ARAL broadcasted live from Dushanbe . C) On the tragedy of a jadid writer and scholar MIYAN BUZRUK.

1. Uzbek writer Nurulla Otakhanov gave an interview about the new Uzbek Alphabet Based on the Latin Script. He considers that the new Uzbek alphabet based on the Latin script is wrong.

2. "Abdurahim Pulatov, co-chairman of the Popular Movement ‘Birlik’ of Uzbekistan was interviewed by the journalist of RFE/RL Temur Kocaoglu: “- Is the Uzbek society ready for democracy?” Pulatov: - Our opponents say that ‘Uzbekistan is not ready for democracy ...’. I don’t agree with this statement. in this case one can ask: ‘Who is ready for democracy today?'

a) On political and economical situation in Uzbekistan. S. Shermatova, RL correspondent in Moscow, analysed articles published in Moscow in connection with the situation in Uzbekistan. She tried to draw Islam Karimov's political portrait. b) Uzbek-Tajik historical relations were discussed, c) Yadgar Abid discusses the echoes of the Russian press, the apathy of the peoples of Russia to any kind of elections. People stopped to go to elections, to elect.

a) Discussion on the participation of Kyrghyzstan in NATO's Program "Partnership For Peace" activities. As it is stated in the discussion Kirghyzstan is not eager to be close member of this program, b) News from Kirghyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, c) RL Moscow correspondent Yadgar Abid's discussions on Echoes of the Russian press, d) Discussions on difficulties of Uzbekistan's economy, hardships of Uzbek life.

a) Echoes of the Russian press. RL correspondent Yadgar Abid's discussions on Russian-Kazakh relation, b) Preparations to Narsultan Nazarbaev's first official visit to Moscow as the president of an independent state, c) News from CIS: Russian-Ukranian relations, d) Elections in Turkey.

DAY'S PROGRAM a) New from Kazakhstan: Kazakh-Shevron oil agreement. Russian influence on Kazakhstan, b) RL correspondent in Moscow Yadgar Abid gave an interview on Russian influence on Asia, c) Turkmen currency MANAT and its destiny, d) Situation in the Ukraine. SIDE: B RL correspondent Hikmatulla qori oghli Furqatbek was interviewed by Rl worker Muzaffariy D. on international journalism, on the role of OZODLIK in current Uzbek life.

a) News: The president of ASIA society in New York, b) Discussion on Nicholas PLATT's article, published in INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE. The author began his impressions with the words: " My visit to four Central Asian republics (of former Soviet Union) I may name as a visit to the empire turned to ruins" (translated from Uzbek), c) FINANCIAL TIMES (England) on Kazakhstan and its president, d) RL correspondent in Moscow Sanobar Shermatova's discussion on Russia's and Central Asian States' intentions to join the NATO program "Partnership For Peace". In her discussion S. Shermatova states that Russia insists its Central Asian satellites to join NATO program in order to get any kind of technical assistance from NATO. SIDE: B a) Discussions on jadidism. Jadid Miyan Buzruk's works (Continuation of the previous discussion), c) Soviet troops in Afghanistan: discussion on the new book on Russian general GROMOV.

a) F. Miterand's visit to Uzbekistan. Discussions on the visit of the president of France to Uzbekistan. On the history of French-Uzbek relations. Prof. Naim Ghaibov, the head of Uzbek Society of Cultural Relations with foreign countries was interviewed by RL correspondent on French-Uzbek cultural relation, b) Discussion on the article published in Russian newspaper IZVESTIYA: Askar Akaev's intimacy to Russians. It seems that A. A.kaev is for double citizenship in Kyrghyzstan.

a) Discussions on Uzbek women's destiny. Letters from Uzbek girls and women. Religious authourity Abid qori was interviewed by phone on the role of moslem women in life. In his answer Abid qori states that the role of any kind of women is first in the family and then in the society, b) Senior research fellow of the Institute of Manuscripts Fozila Sulaymanova also took part in this discussion. According to her, women who have a family, children must work daily no more than four hours.

REPORTS FROM UZBEKISTAN Rl correspondent reports from Tashkent that new 15th session of the Oliy Kengash (Parliament) was opened. There are adoption of the new Orders of Honor, Foreign Investment on the agenda of the session.

REPORTS FROM UZBEKISTAN Discussion on the new juridical journal HAYOT WA QONUN (Life and Law). SIDE: B Discussion on democracy in connection with Islam Karimov's speech at the OLIY KENGASH (Parliament) about the economical and political independence for Uzbekistan. The participant of this discussion Temur Khodja critisizes properly the secretary of the Writers' society of Uzbekistan who is against any kind of activities of the opposition.

REPORTS FROM UZBEKISTAN a) Discussion on president I. Karimov's visit to Japan. Japan embassy in Tashkent and Uzbek embassy in Tokyo were opened, b)RL correspondent reports from Moscow: On the arrest of members of the opposition in Tashkent. BIRLIK member Talib Yakubov was arrested on 20th of May at his house. The reason of his arrest is unknown. Talib Yakubov is a former assistant professor of math. He lost his job because he was a member of the opposition party, c) CIS NEWS: Tajikistan. Tajik leader's visit to Moscow, d) ECHOES OF THE RUSSIAN PRESS: RL correspondent Yadgar Abid reports from Moscow: according to the Russian newspaper ISVESTIYA last year the real income was increased only in Russia. In Uzbekistan the real income came down 10-15% in comparison with last year. The newspaper SEGODNYA (Today) wrote that the president fo Uzbeksitan was awarded a Hero of Uzbekistan golden medal. A week later he was awarded the next order SOGHLOM AWLOD UCHUN (For Healthy Generation). It

"On August 31, Tuesday the opening ceremony of Amir Temur (Tamerlane)”s monument in Tashkent was broadcasted. In connection with this ceremony short speech of the president of Uzbekistan and a poem of Ahmad Ali Turkistoni (Uzbek origin) from Saudi Arabia was also broadcasted. . Then journalist of RFE/RL Temur Kocaoglu interviewed a number of Uzbeks, e.g. Abdul Hamid Mahsum aka (Uzbek origin) from Saudi Arabia who expressed his feelings in connection with two years anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence: “I pray God that soon Uzbekistan will be in the line of independent, democratic, free countries of the world”. "

MATERIALS FOR DAY'S PROGRAM. A) uzbek journalist was interviewed in 1989 in connection with FERGHANA events. In his inerview he critisizes the Moscow press as well as Russian press of tashkent that they are not giving real, true information. He stated also that Uzbek press became an instrument in the hands of party bureaucrats. B) Information on the meeting held in Tashkent, devoted to the state language problem in Uzbekistan. This meeting was organized by the opposition movement and parties. In this meeting the Draft Law of the state language was critisized by scholars, writers and other intellectuals.

1. Interview with Assistant professor of Tashkent State University Sanjar Siddiq on transition of Uzbek to Latin script.

2. Interview with Ahat Andijan, Doctor of Medicine, Chairman of the Turkistan Society in Turkey, concerning Uzbekistan’s independence.

1. Poet Shukrullo interviewed regarding Uzbekistan's independence.

2. Part two of interview with Co-chairman of the Women’s Organization ‘Tumaris’ Ma’mura Hasan qizi.

Interview with Yakubjan Khojamberdiev, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Vatan (organ of the party Progress of the Homeland).

Doctor of Philology, senior research fellow of the Institute of Manuscripts of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences Qazaqbay Mahmudov was interviewed in connection with the new Uzbek alphabet based on the Latin script.

1. "In Uzbekistan’s Constitution it’s confirmed that in Uzbekistan multi- party system exists. However , since 1992 the Uzbek authorities have attacked ERK and BIRLIK party members, banned their newspapers, and put opposition party members Into jail.. Censorship is very strict in Uzbekistan. On December of 1992 secret service workers arrested Abdulla Utaev, the chairman of the Islam Awakening Party, and till now he is in jail without any trial. On July 27, 1993 an active member fo the ERK democratic party was also arrested. RL journalist Yakub Turan interviewed Safar Bekjan’s wife Kurbanay in connection with the arrest of her husband. "

2. "Uzbek opposition leaders Muhammad Salih (Chairman of the ERK Democratic Party) and Abdurahim Pulatov (BIRLIK Popular Movement’s co- chairman) in their interview stated that in Uzbekistan former communist leaders don’t want to establish a legal state and just society; instead they try to ruin opposition parties and their leaders, active members. "

3. "The Soviet Union collapsed, but its unsettled problems, damages remained. Uzbek scholar Ibrahim Buriev’s article “Chernobel Tragedy is not Too Far” (on Uzbekistan’s enviromental problems) was published in Russian in Moscow in the newspaper “Delovoy Mir” (No.266). In this program jurnalists of RL Dilaram Muzaffariy and Y. Obid translated Ibrahim Buriev’s article into Uzbek and broadcasted. "

1. "The editor-in-chief of the journal Sayfuddin Juraev was interviewed by RL’s Tashkent stringer Hikmatulla qori oghli Furqat about his new journal Istiqlol (“Future”).

2. Co-chairman of the BIRLIK Popular Movement, Doctor of Cybernetics Abdurahim Pulatov in his interview given to the RL journalist on September 27 states that this system (formed by Islam Karimov) is a real communistic system.

Uzbek academician Izzat Sultan and Afghan scholar Abdul Hakim Juzjani, participants of the Conference Bahavaddin Naqshbandi’s Teachings and Fiction” were interviewed by RL stringer in Tashkent.

1. On November 2, RL’s Tashkent stringer Hikmatulla qori oghli Furqat broadcasted live from the Tashkent Press Conference organized by the Deputy Prime-Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyar Hamidov, First Deputy Minister of Finance Guskova, Chairman of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan Fayzulla Mullajanov devoted to the new Uzbek currency.

2. Alibay Yulyakhshiev from Samarkand informed RL’s correspondent that all middle and high schools of Uzbekistan were closed these days. School students were caused to go to collective and state farms and pick up cotton.