Uzbekistan rights
From Mr Mardon Yakubov Sir: I am writing to you concerning the recent article 'Dangerously mercurial' by Justin Marozzi (7 October). It is obvious that the author wanted to depict only a neg- ative and grim view of Uzbekistan while deliberately omitting its significant eco- nomic and political achievements during nine years of independence.
The article contains a number of mistakes and flaws. The author writes, 'Officially, the Republic of Uzbekistan is a Muslim coun- try. . . ' Certainly, the overwhelming major- ity of the people of Uzbekistan are Muslims, but Uzbekistan, according to its constitution, aspires to be a secular country where reli- gion is separated from the state.
The author says that President Karimov `has been a huge disappointment for the majority of the population'. But the fact is that Karimov received around 95 per cent of votes in the last presidential elections, held in January. Independent observers from more than 20 countries witnessed the elections in a country that is making a peaceful transition to a democratic society and market-oriented economy.
Touching upon the Aral Sea disaster, Mr Marozzi fails to mention that it represents a grim legacy of the Soviet regime, and that today Uzbekistan is putting forth great efforts to improve the situation. But the Aral Sea is a global ecological problem and joint international efforts are required to solve it. Mardon Yakubov
Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, London W11
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