DATE=9/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-TALEBAN TERRORISM (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266282
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  The President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, 
has accused Afghanistan's ruling Taleban of turning 
the country into what he calls a "hotbed of 
international terrorism." VOA Correspondent Breck 
Ardery reports from the United Nations. 


TEXT:  Speaking to the Millennium Summit of world 
leaders, Mr. Karimov said terrorism and extremism have 
replaced the cold war as the chief threats to peace 
and stability in the world. He said terrorism 
threatens the chosen path of democratic and secular 
development of several central Asian nations.

Mr. Karimov says Afghanistan, now largely under 
Taleban rule, has turned into a training ground for 
international terrorism and extremism. Speaking 
through an English interpreter, the Uzbekistan 
President said terrorist activities are funded by 
billions of dollars from the illegal drug trade.

            ///INTERPRETER ACT///

      It (Afghanistan) has become the main source and 
      even warehouse of world drug production which 
      brings in billions in profits and feeds into 
      national terrorism.
      
            ///END ACT///

Mr. Karimov said the continuing war in Afghanistan is 
a threat not only to central Asian nations but to the 
entire world.

Last month, the United Nations Security Council took 
note of the situation by issuing a formal statement 
condemning the entry of terrorists from Afghanistan 
into neighboring countries. The Council has repeatedly 
urged the Taleban to stop fighting and resume efforts 
to obtain a negotiated settlement of the civil war in 
Afghanistan.

Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have all 
complained about terrorist attacks being carried out 
by infiltrators from Taleban-controlled areas of 
Afghanistan. (Signed)


NEB/UN/BA/KBK



08-Sep-2000 15:21 PM EDT (08-Sep-2000 1921 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.