Islam A. Karimov // Central Asian News\\
CAN: Dear Mr. President, thank you very much for this kindly granted opportunity to meet you. We are honored to interview the President of Uzbekistan a country well-known to the world community for its policy. Ten years ago Uzbekistan was hardly recognized by the world publics. Only the close circle of business people, politicians and decision makers knew the country as one of the Soviet republics. Today, Uzbekistan has a full right to occupy its deserved place in world’s political map as a dynamic and developing independent state the Republic of Uzbekistan. How would you explain the reasons of this change?
Mr. I.Karimov: I completely
agree with you. For many years, Uzbekistan was almost unknown to the world
community, though not through its own fault. I am glad that now Uzbekistan
is successfully and with confidence joining the world community. Growing
attention and interest to Uzbekistan may be explained by several reasons.
First, Uzbekistan has declared its loyalty to the basic principles of democracy,
market economy, which allow every citizen to develop and realize his or
her potential. We have set directions, stages and rules to implement the
above principles. This is a good basis to develop open relations and trust
between Uzbekistan and its partners. Clear objectives and ways of their
attainment, consistent reforms and predictable future make Uzbekistan an
attractive and reliable participant of different projects and processes,
both regionally and globally. Second, I am proud to mention that during
its short history of independence, Uzbekistan has proved to be a reliable
partner and an active supporter of progressive ideas, general democratic
norms. It is evident that the country’s activity to facilitate the resolution
of complex international conflicts (Afghanistan, Taji-kistan), form a new
system of regional, national and global security (initiated nuclear free
zone in Central Asia), oppose international terrorism, drug trafficking,
illegal weapons trade, prove that Uzbekistan has got the right to become
an estimated and reliable member of the world community. Third, Uzbekistan
demonstrates stable economic growth, social guarantees so important for
this specific society, national, communal and confessional consent, the
combination of historic, cultural and national traditions with the best
achievements of the leading countries. Fourth, the open international policy
allows world publics to study the unique history, culture, and national
traditions of our peoples.
CAN: According to experts, economists and specialists, a new Uzbek model of market economy system produces serious positive results. Could you characterize the essence of this system, its advantages over other models of post-Soviet economy?
Mr. I.Karimov: Speaking of Uzbek
economic reforms, we should remember that we do not aim to develop any market
economy theory which is well established in the world economics. History
has already proved its advantages. In short, the aim of Uzbekistan economic
model is to develop its own route of transformation from the centralized,
planned and administrated system to basic market principles. I would like
to stress that we try to form the basic principles of market economy. This
specific system is based on national and regional specific features of this
country, as well as its national traditions and mentality of its people.
On the other hand it includes the progressive international experience which
may be used in our conditions and meets the country’s interests. We clearly
understand that our goal is large and complex, therefore, we have worked
out five basic principles of reforms in Uzbekistan. First, the economy should
be free from any ideology to the full extend. Economy should have a priority
over politics and become its contents. Second, to put the state in charge
of economic reforms during this hard transition period. The state should
initiate reforms in the interests of all people, set the priorities of economic
development, work out and implement the policy of economic, social, political,
and cultural reforms. Eventually, with the introduction of market economic
principles, their development and irreversibility of reforms, the role and
importance of state structures will reduce. Such structures will transfer
their authority to public organizations and selves-governing civil bodies.
Third, reforms should be based exclusively on strong legislation. The priority
of law secures reforms and guarantees their irreversibility. Fourth, with
current demographic situation and low living standards, transformation to
market economy should be anticipated by a strong social policy aimed at
social protection of the poorest and most vulnerable layers of society –
children, elderly people, invalids. The countries which had underestimated
strong, social policy as one of the major elements of reforms, experienced
social unrest and discontent which discredited reforms. Fifth, the new market
economy should be introduced gradually and reasonably. According to national
proverb, «don’t ruin the old house without a ready new one.» Gradual transformation
to market economy forms the logic, dynamism and nature of economic reforms
in Uzbekistan. The principles of transformation worked out to meet our special
conditions allowed to secure civil peace, religious consent, and economic
stability. These reforms became the solid basis for stable economic growth
and increase of living standards in the Republic. We experience a stable
production growth from 1993. As a result, in 1998, product output in Uzbekistan
exceeded the one of 1990 by 1 2,7%. In 1996, the Republic overcame the recession
of gross domestic product, in 1998 it has increased by 4,4%. Gross domestic
product per capita has also significantly increased. In short time the country
reached its energy and grain independence. We fulfill systematic and structural
changes of economy. During the years of independence, foreign investors
participated in the construction and operation of several large enterprises:
Bukhara oil processing factory, Asakin autoplant UzDaewooAuto, Samarkand
SamKochAuto plant. Khazarasp sugar factory, and several textile factories.
New industries were created in Uzbekistan: automobile, pharmaceutical, microbiological,
telecommunications, etc. Traditional oil extraction and processing, agricultural
machine-building, chemistry, food, silk and textile industries are reinvigorated
with the use of new technologies. Today we use these results and the support
of population to set the priorities for further development of economic
reforms. The basic priorities for the new millennium are the following:
- liberalization of economy, politics, state
and social construction;
- further cultural and spiritual renewal of
the society;
- qualified personnel training;
- stable and gradual growth of living standards and social protection;
- basic structural transformation of economy;
- security of peace, international and civil
consent in the society, boarders’ safely, territorial integrity of Uzbekistan.
The essence of our strategy of reforms in the beginning of the 21st century
is the implementation of the above priorities in accordance with the principles
of the Uzbekistan economic model.
CAN: Independent Uzbekistan turned
from raw materials adjunct of the Soviet Union into a developed industrial
and agricultural state. Uzbekistan is rich in natural resources:
- oil, gold, cotton, etc. However, there are certain transportation and
communication problems both for local and international transport. What
has been done to resolve these difficulties?
Mr. I.Karimov: Our country with its vast natural resources and economic potential, is located far from international sea routes and borders on the states that also do not have direct access to sea ports. This is definitely one of the major obstacle to our access to the world markets. The program to consolidate our independence and integrate the country into the world community is based upon the creation of most effective transport communications in the Republic of Uzbekistan. We are developing alternative transport routes to secure foreign relations of Uzbekistan. We view the restoration of the Great Silk Route, which connects Central Asia with Europe, as the key element of new transport corridor. To implement the above project, we work in three directions: Western, through the Transcaucasian corridor to the Black Sea ports; Eastern, to Chinese ports; and Southern, to the Indian Ocean. On May 13, 1996 in Serakhs the leaders of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkmenistan have signed the agreement to coordinate railway transportation and the agreement on cooperation in transit transportation. Eventually, Tajikistan and Kyrghyzstan joined the first agreement, and Tajikistan, Kyrghyzstan, Bulgaria and Armenia the second one. In 1996, we opened a transportation route Farab - Turkmenbashi - Baky - Poti. In the last two and a half years over 700,000 tons of Uzbekistan goods were transported through this Transcaucasian corridor. Further construction of the corridor which connects Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, China and other Asian countries is stipulated in TRASECA program started in May, 1993, the European Union Committee has proposed this program as an alternative to traditional transport corridors. The Committee views this program as one of primary direction of cooperation with CIS countries. The road Tashkent - Andijan - Osh - Irkeshtam - Kashgar started its operation in 1998. All transit roads in Uzbekistan are under intensive renovation and reconstruction. Specialists conduct feasibility study of Osh - Kashgar railroad. A new 975 km long railroad Korla - Kashgar was constructed in unprecedented short term - two and a half years. Our interest to start operation of new roads and transportation routes as soon as possible is proved by the fact that construction works in the Kyrghyz territory are fulfilled at the expense of Uzbekistan. Local transport communications are also important. This year we shall finish the construction of tunnels in the Kamchik pass which will provide a stable annual transportation turnover between the Fergana Valley and other regions of the Republic. Uzbekistan, therefore, fulfills a lot of work to find new and effective ways to promote our goods to world markets.
CAN: Today, the world faces acute problems of religious fundamentalism, extremism and, as a result, terrorism. Your books and speeches show, that you always oppose any forms of fanaticism and extremism. Will you explain your standpoint on fundamentalism and fanaticism which may threat peaceful existence not only in Central Asia, but around the world?
Mr. I.Karimov: This is an acute and very relevant issue which may become the key problem and determine the fates of our country and many other countries of the world. We do not accept any display of extremism, including its religious forms. Unfortunately, Uzbekistan failed to escape the common fate of the object for religious extremist activity. On February 16, 1999, religious terrorists conducted an explosion in Tashkent. We have learnt some experience from this lesson and drawn certain conclusions. It is quite evident that the leaders of different religious extremist groups are striving for power at any price. They never consider popular interests and intentions. They are trading in difficulties of a transitional period. Religious extremists have nothing to do with spiritual values of Islam. Moreover, they discredit the religion which is the basis of our cultural and historic traditions, by calling for hatred, fanaticism, bloodshed and intolerance. Opposition to religious extremism is not only the problem of Uzbekistan. It mirrors regional and global tendencies. What are the prospects for the Moslem world? Either it will be again squeezed into the frames and limitations of age old obsolete systems like Caliphate and other Islamic religious state systems, or the Moslem countries will become an indispensable part of the world community with the ability to adapt and absorb new achievements of economy, politics, and culture, but also preserve the best heritage of Islam civilization. Uzbekistan is an active supporter of the second way of development.
CAN: According to independent experts, you always stress the role of spiritual values and education in personal relations, their impact on society and its moral values. What are the reasons for that?
Mr. I.Karimov: As far as you know, Oriental civilization has strongly influenced human and world civilization with its spiritual, cultural and educational values. For centuries our nation lived under the impact of folk-lore masterpieces. Eventually, there appeared written literature – dastans, national epos, oriental moral tales, legends, and fairy tales telling people about good and evil. This heritage directly forms spiritual values of our people, their mentality, way of life and relations between people. When a nation fights for freedom and becomes independent, it receives an opportunity to revive its real history, spiritual values accumulated during many centuries, which became flesh and blood of Uzbek people. Every individual should realize that it is not a passing stranger, that its routes are deep in this land, and its ancestors left invaluable heritage. We should understand that it is necessary to preserve this heritage for future generations. This duty makes a citizen to understand himself, feel responsible for his future steps, his trace in history, and activity to make his or her country free and prosperous. We need thinking people, thinking society. There is another facet of this issue. Our strategic goal is to create a legitimate democratic state and civil society. Any reform should first and foremost pass through the heart and conscience of any citizen. Multifaceted reforms may become part of real life only if they absorb the way of life, aims, goals, and spiritual values of people. A high professional individual with strong spiritual and moral values has such internal culture and will-power that gives him enough force to start its life afresh. Society will be reformed through the renewal of an individual. Therefore, we pay a special attention to spiritual values, educalion, and enlightenment of population, especially to young people.
CAN: Mr. President, what would you wish to The Central Asian News which aims to inform Decision Makers interested in Central Asia about news and prospects of the region?
Mr. I.Karimov: determination, unbiased attitude, goodwill, and competence to reach these noble aims.
