13 May 2004 19:04
Defence minister`s visit shows Russia still has role in Uzbekistan`s security
Talks held in Tashkent on 12 May between Russian Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov and top Uzbek officials are
"regarded as extremely productive", an article published by the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta says.
The talks resulted in more contracts for the supply of modern types of Russian weapons to Uzbekistan - intelligence
systems, air defence systems, artillery, munitions, and firearms, it says. The following is the text of report by
Vladimir Mukhin: "Tashkent Opposed to 'Free Privatization.' In Uzbekistan, Sergey Ivanov Discussed
Prospects for Cooperation in Defence Sphere", published by Nezavisimaya Gazeta on 13 May; a subhead was inserted
editorially:
Sergey Ivanov, acting Russian Federation defence minister, completed his visit to Uzbekistan yesterday. As a result,
it proved to be a one-day visit although initially the plan was that the Russian delegation would work for two days in
Tashkent. However, on Tuesday [11 May], Ivanov had to ensure the security of Russian Federation President Vladimir
Putin, who unexpectedly flew to Chechnya, and then had to take part in the traditional meeting between the head of state
and government members.
Nevertheless, yesterday's talks are regarded as extremely productive. Russian military sources say that while in
Tashkent Sergey Ivanov discussed a broad range of problems relating to the situation in Central Asia and the fight
against terrorism including the provision of practical assistance to the Uzbek side in strengthening its army and the
effectiveness of the special services' work.
The talks resulted in more contracts for the supply of modern types of Russian weapons to Uzbekistan - intelligence
systems, air defence systems, artillery, munitions, and firearms. The sides initialled the draft agreement on the
creation of a joint venture in Uzbekistan for the repair of Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters. It is noted that the training of
Uzbek military specialists in the servicing of air defence systems as well as training for airmen will continue in
Russia. Russia will help Uzbekistan to modernize the Su-27 and MiG-29 aircraft and helicopter fleet used by the
republic's air force.
Russian cooperation in defence industry
Meanwhile, this visit did not add any clarity to the production of the fourth-generation Il-76 MF military transport
in Uzbekistan. The Uzbek side is proposing that it be assembled at the Chkalov Tashkent Aircraft Production Association.
Moscow agrees to this option only on condition that the Tashkent Aircraft Production Association become part of the
Ilyushin aviation holding company on a no-charge basis. Tashkent is categorically opposed to such a "free
privatization" of the Tashkent Aircraft Production Association so that the Russian side is threatening to switch
production of this aircraft from Uzbekistan to Voronezh after meeting with two years' resistance of this kind. The
question, as it were, is "in abeyance."
But on other areas of the privatization of Uzbek defence enterprises there is definite movement to be seen. For
example, there is information that while in Tashkent, Sergey Ivanov discussed questions relating to supplies of raw
materials for the production of powder at Uzbek Qoghozi, the Uzbek-Russian Pulp and Paper Combine.
In total, the deals that have been struck are worth tens of millions of dollars. Although if you compare this with US
military assistance, the figure is not all that great.
US military assistance
Total US military assistance to the Uzbek security structures in recent years has ranged from 70m to 100m dollars.
Before the Russian minister's arrival in Tashkent, the United States supplied Uzbekistan with equipment and special
hardware for the protection of the state border worth a total of 516,600 dollars - free of charge. According to a report
from the US embassy press service in Tashkent, there is also a plan to supply night-vision instruments, tension
stabilizers, and metal detectors worth in total 600,000 dollars in 2004.
Nevertheless, Russia still has a good chance of competing with the United States for the right to reinforce
Uzbekistan's defence capability. First, Uzbekistan remains oriented towards Soviet and Russian weapons. Second, the
United States constantly expresses concern at the observance of human rights in Uzbekistan and this could influence the
scale of US military assistance to Tashkent.
Against this background, Sergey Ivanov's visit has shown once again that Moscow was and remains
Uzbekistan's stable partner in the strengthening of its security.
[Nezavisimaya Gazeta] |
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