Muhammad Salih's ADREES TO ERK PARTY CONGRESS
Today (22.10.03) in Taskent Erk Democratyic Party Of Uzbekistan held its Congress.
Despite provocatiosn from Government officials Muhammad SALIH and his
Partys officials were elected. Muhammad Salih who was not allowed to
attend the Congress adressed the delagtes by a television-link from Norway.
Dear Comrades-at-arms, Honored comrades,
Thanks to the Creator for giving us the opportunity to meet again. In these ten years, the world is aware that a great deal of difficult conditions has been given for the opposition's liberty. It is not easy to be opposing totthe regime. Had it been easy, 90% of the population would have crossed to the opposition side. This 90% on the disagreeing part exists on strength. But disagreeing is one thing. Enduring suffering for lack of _expression is another. Nobody wants to endure suffering.
Political narrow-mindedness is very harmful for societies such as ours. In this crisis, for the society's illumination, the masses' political activity is the way out. In the shortest time, we are waiting for the masses' political activation. Today, in Uzbekistan, we need urgent help for a wide public platform and assistance for the democratic side. Unfortunately, in the most needed moments, the opposition remains without help. We have not been able to receive the necessary help from the outside world. After the September 11 tragedy, we had hoped that the increased relations between The USA and Central Asian states would accelerate the democratic process. But this awaited process has still not come. There were certain natural shifts.
For example, for several months, the opposition's regional meetings began to take place. If not for support from the West, it would have been next to impossible for these meetings to be carried out. This should be sufficient to recognize injustice.
Essentially, there is no talk of curbing violence. Torture continues for the religious groups as well as political members of ERK party. On May 22 this year, Tanlov Organization member, Hasan Qambarov, who was one of Erk's youth leader, was taken away on the street by Uzbek police. He is now in Chirchiq prison under tight and terrible clutches.
The West needs to Understand that the democratic process in Uzbekistan cannot be hastened with half-finished measures. Unfinished measure may tentatively freeze the terror of the state, but it will never be overcome. If the West had put the needed pressure on Uzbek government in the democracy process, this pressure would have been more effective, thereby increasing higher possibility of success.
Only this pressure was not shown. Government bans against opposition Groups continue. For the government, "constructive opposition" seems necessary. To satisfy the demand, the Uzbek president organized five puppet parties in Five years. The "constructiveness" of these parties is inconsequential. In The presidential elections, the leaders of these puppet parties are not Electors of themselves. They call to the president for giving voice. If these Parties want to criticize, they criticize, not the President, but themselves, Because they are part of the administration. If we say- what needs to be done for the government to take a constructive opposition's status? Their response - it is necessary to sit in silence in a corner and learn the praise of the government. Is this possible for us? ERK party disagreed with this, and was labeled the "Enemy of the People". The accuser is truthful, because the government does not represent the people. The government is the people, as it is known. Perhaps, for this reason, on television, the President, in his sincere voice, had stated, "We are prepared to do everything for the 'people'". In this situation, for the opposition's position in the country, there is no possibility of exerting influence. ERK Party and Birlik Movement were penalized for being in manner of conflict with the Constitution. They were penalized with decree by the Internal Affairs Ministry, not with a Constitutional decree by the legal court. If the government desires, it Is possible to correct this gross error. There is no legal basis for either Of these political organizations to be taken into government's hands, because in accordance with the Principal Law, these organizations are legal. The law has merely been downtrodden. For erecting the Internal Affair Ministry's anti constitution decree, abrogating this law is sufficient. For 12 years, the proving of its own constructiveness is burning. The government began to hold dialogues with the opposition when it is tired of the jailing and punishing of the opposition groups. As a matter of fact, these are not dialogues, but monologues. It has one cunning stipulation: The opposition does not know about state governance.
It seems that until now, the government still does not understand the function of the opposition in society. This function, if explained in a metaphor, would perhaps be understood:
When the turk sultan goes out, there is always one person with him on the side, with a loud voice, saying: Don't be conceited, my podishah. God is greater than you". In this same period, there were constructive oppositions.
It is also necessary to realize that the reasons for our tragedy is not just from the president's monopoly, but attained from characteristics from a servility climate. In normal conditions, microbes are not dangerous. But this immune system for organisms that have been destroyed is extremely threatened. In contemporary states, for government, the opposition's sequence of opinions as well as ideas is a society's immune system. Whether this system is not working or non-existent, societies will always, in stagnant condition, live on. This is the most shining example of our society.
Dear Comrades-
From the capacity of these problems, it is possible to get out with faith, intention and courage. Military force is not needed for one historical initiative, one auspicious attack. For that, it is enough in absolute faith in one small group. When we initially founded Birlik, we were 3 people. When Erk was founded, we were also a small group. In a short time, Erk was accepted to the communist parliament's Uzbekistan Independent Declaration. In a short time, Erk prepared the Uzbekistan Constitution. In a very short time, Erk prepared its own candidate for presidential elections, participated in elections and according to official indicators, it obtained 12.7% of the election. 1 million 200 thousand persons gave their votes to Erk. This is the official figure. As a matter of fact, Erk had won more than 4 times this figure, and there is information on the falsification of the results. In such a short time, Erk had enriched an entire country with its ideas, and raised the people's awareness of truths and laws.
What does "in a short time" mean? In all of its 4 and a half months of activity as a legal party, Erk showed: for official census, the party was taken on September 5, 1991. On January 16, 1992, the government opened fire at students. Starting from January 17, complete persecution against Erk began, and for ten years, it has entered a tunnel without seeing a ray of light. But during this very same comparatively free period of 4 and a half months, this young organization stamped Erk's name into our nation's awareness.
Honored comrades!
You are this nation's flowers, its intellectuals - you are its enlightenment. It enlightenment and thought standards are so high, its degree of danger of its fate will be higher. They live in maximum risks within their own activities. Their lives experience risky limits. Our beginning in Rebuilding Year began with exceptional people such as people's movement. You were these exceptional people, my dear comrades. You are not the majority, but you are a small community that is regarded with absolute and unconditional respect. As always, the majority is always on the watch of which strong side is coming. For this, do not be aggravated. This is normal. In war, those who stand behind the frontlines are few.
My dear and exceptional friends- With this strength in your hearts, come into the same hesitating majority. Be close to them and show concern. With Allah's permission, the spell of fear will be dispelled from them.
One more significant problem is the youth. This is our organization's weakest point. Whereas, in our national movement of the Rebuilding years, this was our strongest point. For movement, it is necessary to not delay their attraction. Free them from financial conscience's claws for the attainment of money and wealth. Benefit from their pure ideals.
I want to draw your attention to another point. In cities and provinces, we should not forget the national minorities in the frontiers who form societal representatives in our policies. They are also our comrades. We brought our national identity out to the forefront from Soviet colonialism. This impulse ended its own historical task. Today, "people" and "nation" does not mean one ethnic group, but rather, one entire population that lives in Uzbekistan, our motherland. Let us remain, in a sense, an entire people which will embrace. We, as a political movement, will be the principal enemy to any kind of racism and chauvinism. I want to separately emphasize in our Program for our future acceptance for this principle.
Honored Comrade-in-arms!
I do not like to speak so much, but apparently, this trip deserves more speech. I am counting for 11 years. For 45 minutes of speech, it is hard to accommodate these 11 years.
Well, when will democracy come to Uzbekistan?
In the past century, this question was loudly raised during the period of Perestroyka. But not after independence. The regime did not like to hear the question. This word, when sounded, brought threats that began. Then some were thrown into jail, then they were tortured. They learned to kill in silence. The hunt for democrats began. According to the Eastern Calendar, this oppression is exactly the length of the "muchal" - 12 year cycle, that is why 12 years continued. You are assembled here today so as to not allow the new cycle of this oppression to take place. You assembled for the word democracy to be said with a loud voice.
Uzbek democrats believe in the things that nobody else believes. They believe in the possibility of chances with democratic paths for Uzbekistan. Faith for the future and for results is worthy. In discussions on democratic changes in Uzbekistan, American congressman Kurt Weldon advised that stated that country's situation is similar to the situation when the American Constitution was being accepted in 18th century. We are pleased with this optimism. Because, those who believe that changes in Uzbekistan towards democratic path are few.
Western diplomats in interviews with "Financial Times" or "Washington Post" state that the regime's only possibility of change is state overthrowing or other radical ways. One factor for changes is always forgotten. The leader is the factor. This factor of most significance is not the owner in Europe, such as in the frontier of the Soviet Union. In Central Asia, as you see from the administration methods, the five leaders are unlike each other, but rather specific and suitable to oneself. In the time of separation from the Soviet Union, these countries' administration and management methods were entirely the same. As now, despite the constitutions being almost the same, these states operate under absolutely different legal conditions. These five types of administration portray the five leaders' differences from each other. They have albeit one similarity: their personalities are inclined to monopoly. But they differ in degrees of substitute on uninterrupted continuation of governance. For example, if it were requested that blood shedding is absolutely necessary for prolonging Askar Akaev's presidency, he would not agree to it. He would prefer to leave from the presidency. But if the same situation arose for the presidents of Uzbekistan or Turkmenistan, we worry that the request would not be sufficient for rejection of their power.
In the West, it is difficult to meet this kind of leader. There, the model of the state system will not maintain these leaders. It is possible for a leader who remains more distant in upper state matters, makes necessary reforms to benefit the state accordingly. But this kind of leaders is very rare. This kind of leader is created by the world's political conjunktura. There is a second type of leader - he operates like the first type, within the created political conjunktura. His courage is not sufficient for leaving his own limits. This kind of leader will form the majority of leaders. There is a third kind of leader, but he is, not in Europe, in Asia. We described this leader in the aforementioned. This Asian kind of leadership factor is taking process with negative aspects in Uzbekistan. Does he have any positive aspects? Yes. We see these positive aspects in the case of Kirghizstan and Kazakhstan. Let us introduce, and at least once, to have the chance for a democratic election. We will bring democracy to our beloved homeland in not 200 years, but 200 days, with God's permission. Even though if it is not Tony Blair's democracy, it will be better than Askar Akaev's democracy. Preferably, a democracy to come to Uzbekistan in 200 days.
In this difficult situation, nothing is able to free us. We need to resolve our own problems. Otherwise, even Allah cannot help us. Tne Koran ordered this: To be precise, until some kinsmen themselves change, Allah will not change their situation." Also, our prophet said: "you will be governed by your leaders as you see suitable", as stated in the hadiths. For this reason, the current President's remaining period on the throne will be of least torment.
Despite the entire oppression to my family and personal lineage, I have no enmity or contempt to Prezident of Uzbekistan. Because as the above expressed - the leader, if he does not fit your or my needs, he will not be able to govern one minute. I am not asking you not to battle against injustice. On the contrary, I ask you to fight. I want to say this: the sooner we arise to fight against injustice, in the shortest time, we shall have a just leader.
My dear Comrades, honored Comrades-in-arms!
You know better than I of the essence of current events taking place in the native land. But it appears that certain things are far from clear. For example, mountains. Or country. This country's place in the world, its political and economic weight, its greatness and grandness. It appears that they are far from clear. Our dear motherland Uzbekistan is a country, historically revered with ancient civilization, blessed with natural wealth, geographical prestige . Even during the era of Russian colonialism, our land was also the heart of Turkistan - politically, economically significant in these blessed soils. This country has never fallen into a disgraceful situation like today. Once a cradle of civilization, today, there is no trace of this famous country's early grandeur.
The internal impoverishment for our state's external image is also flawed. In these past 12 years, we are not able to remember cetrain successful matters that the Ministry of External Affairs has done for the defense of national interests in the outside world. Because, with tongues tied, there are no moral laws or rights. Because when the government vulgarly violated its own international agreement that it signed, it trampled on its own people's laws in the country. In 12 years, 5 Foreign
Affairs Ministry changed, but public external politics did not change. Yet internally, anti national, aggressive and repressive politics have not changed. After September 11, the world began to recognize Uzbekistan. After Uzbekistan entered the coalition for anti-terrorism, westerners found
Uzbekistan on a map. With the exception of Mr Bush, nobody else in the world accounts for us. Even Turkmenbashi Niyazov scrapes his nose in regards to Uzbekistan, and insults Uzbek President with irony. Believe me, i am perturbed for the Uzbek prezident. Because, after all that is absolutely being considered, this is our country's leader. But our land's surroundings have thorny wires, hungry officers wandering like predators at the borders. I am perturbed for the elderly who crosses the borders to the neighboring village to see his grandchild. Yesterday's relatives, kinsmen suddenly become foreigners. I am perturbed for the Turkmen, Tajik, Kazak, Kirghiz. What crimes have these people committed? Why this inconsideration and downright narrow-mindedness? Why this hostility among blood ties and kinsmen? Alas, in the spreading of this enmity, Uzbek government played the decisive role. From afar, we saw the reality: if a small country's leader is great, this country will appear great to the world. If a great country's Leader has a small personality, the great country will also appear small to
the world, its grandness will seem to diminish.
How can we escape from this impoverishment? Many journalists repeated: if you have the strength and capability, you can do the work regardless. 12 years ago, we started with haste from the economy because the people were desperate and hungry. Not only I, but basically, many political scientists said so. To be precise, the former communists brought it together from the populism's foundation stone. Our people's stone, that the populism had given the leaders, is still rolling. Only this stone has not become a bread . The earlier people were impoverished. But it is a rolling stone, exactly like legendary hero Sizif.
That is why, journalists today ask me "What is your priority?", to which I become tongue tied. I am afraid to say, "Let's not forget the popular stone for our people". And I will restrain my tongue. Even to say 'political' is not possible. Fear from prudence, disgrace from prudence.
For our land, the most tragic part is the economy. All who started work for economic and political reforms were convicted. If it were written that Allah is coming for us, we will not be the exception from this.
These reforms are tactical aims for us. We contended the tactical problems until today. We criticized the government on this subject. But, apart from saving the economy, nobody has any agenda or priority combined to address these problems. To overcome the factors that are causing our economic and political crisis, we need to focus on an area called "Reform area of Human materialism".
For 75 years, we were soaked in atheism and atheistic communism ideologies. Yet, despite 12 years of independence, we still do not have our own consciousness and ideals. In state affairs, there is no difference between legal and sinful matters. Dishonesty, injustice and bribery are encouraged. These are lack of ethics, or immorality. Of course, there are conscientious people, but these are few, unfortunately. Those who are ethical on the bottom are also few. This is the post-soviet states' national tragedy. Economic decline is the result of total lack of ethics. Until we make the factor disappear, it is unlikely to overcome the outcome. We are not composed of parasites, but rather, lawful, dignified and hardworking people for society's establishment. Bribery is the most terrible crime - the plundering of state property is worse and more disgraceful than death, and we need cadres who understand this. We want bureaucrats who give more respect to the law. We see in our home ethical and idealist youths. We see youths who would wish to perish in battle for motherland, give their service to the mafiozi for monetary rewards. We do not want to see people who fears opressive ruler, we want a society that fears God. We want to see a humanity of dignity and honor. Only such a humanity will can be the rung of our society's vertebrae. Only this type of people can be the guarantee of our safety, abundance and life. We will only be able to invest our state in this. In this area, not only complete reforms of upbringing rebuilding of state safekeeping, but rather, it is necessary to fortify the institute of family with wide platforms.
You see economic development in the example of western states. In the west, the family is an institute that has encountered decline. The western intellectuals know this bitter reality, but nothing is able to be done to rescue this important piece in humanity's social existence.
The educational upbringing that Eastern dictatorships utilize is in the ideology of slavery to an individual's personal self. They define that for monopoly is the suitable administration for eastern mentality. The liberal egimes of the West respect humanity. Every member of society will be regarded sacred. Youths are raised in the ideology of total freedom. This is one of the sources of "lack of ethics" in the West.
By depriving absolute rights to the family and granting absolute freedom for individuality is totalitarianism of freedom. "Complete and total freedom" is freedom's totalitarianism.
Only savage animals can be totally free. As for man, he is capable of self-supervision, with will-power to restrict himself if needed, with sovereign hand - this is the difference with animals.
Thus, every two society has members brought up in slavery-like upbringing, and total freedom. But of these two regimes, which of them that you were to prefer, for me, I choose the liberal regime.
In the aspect of social upbringing in eastern regimes, western intellectuals have analyzed and concluded the cause of a passive humanity: "there is no basis for democracy in the Islamic world".(this perspective is similar to that of our leaders). That is to say, the problem is placed against religion. Western scholars had profoundly researched on this. For example, in regards to Islam and democracy, American researcher Graham Fuller has said: "the problem, Islam and democracy must not be put together. The problem, Muslims and democracy should be put together." That is to say, Muslims also can want to live in democracy. The best example is Turkey. With the exception of its education system , Turkey is a comparatively suitable example for us as a state model. In this model, the relevant needs attained in religion and state affairs are incomparable in the Islamic world. For this reason, Uzbekistan is in great need for this custom- fit model.
Going back to our subject, I want to summarize my thoughts on ethics/morality. Of course, ethics cannot be established in one or two years. As said aforementioned: Erk Party is designated, in strategic standards, to conformed upbringing of ethical criterion for the young generation. For unraveling this problem:
1. Complete reformation of educational systems
2. Strengthening the institute of family
3. Overcoming poverty, which is the source of moral degradation
(increasing in practice - political and economic reforms)
Edcational upbringing reforms are important, and those such as political reforms are also important. Rescuing the young generation from the darkness of immorality, extracting the economy from the crisis is important. Impoverishment is the most terrible factor of immorality. Today Uzbekistan is one of the most impoverished countries in the world. This impoverishment has caused the once sacred cities of faith - Buxoro, Samarqand, Xorazm and Toshkent - become the crossroads of narcotic traffic and lair of human trafficking. As a result of impoverty, our innocent women are selling themselves for a slice of bread - they throw themselves into the embrace of men (such as Arab sheikhs) in Taiwan and Korea. Despite natural wealth, the potential for huge domestic production, highly skilled specialists and hard workers, Uzbekistan's economy has fallen and remained down. The majority of factories and plants have stopped operations or halved their production capability. The number of unemployed is rising every day. Prices and inflation are sky-rocketing. All governmental attempts to correct the economy are useless and wasted. The average monthly wage is 18 euros - this is lower than minimum to sustain a living.
The economic recession will destroy the people's belief in changing for the positive. It will strengthen the enmity and contempt among the social layers.
There are other factors in this tragic picture: corruption, clanship and mafia. That is to say, the 3 columns of the shadow economy.
There are separate statistics produced for Uzbek government's own administration and for the outside world. For the president and ministers, "Dlya Slujebnogo Polzovaiya" - once every 3 years, in "Statsbornik"'s 2001 figures, it showed the shadow economy's share of Common National Products 37-40 %. But today, this percentage, according to inofficial sources, it has risen from 40-60 %.
The clans and their own representatives are found in the ranks of state. These terrible representatives are everywhere - in the president's apparatus, in the ministries, in the organs of the courts, the militsia, the national security defense, finance ministry, taxation agencies, customs, joint-ventures, and state's strategic reserves. In short, they are everywhere. They reside in these places, ensuring that millions of dollars firmly flow into the pool of the clan. They strive that not one penny from this magnanimous amount falls into the country's economy. The mafia is a part of the clan. Today, the mafia steps into the political entrance hall, unrestrained and unhindered. And it is beating the country's economy.
Today, mafia patriarchs and ministers embrace each other and take pictures together, while speakers dedicate songs to them. In the past, those who acquaint with mafias become red with shame. Today, they become red with pride.
In 12 years, the criterion for ethics has changed so much.
It cannot be exaggerated that bribery has ill effects. Even the president has stated anecdotes about bribery. This amount has become "nationalized". This illness is again devastating the weak foundation of the state.
Today, the Russian economy is one of the most dynamic economies in the world. And Kazakhstan is also on its feet.
On the other hand, Uzbeks in the region, who once were the most developed people in market economy, have fallen behind. What can they say if the government does not permit the opportunity for those who want to work hard?
Now, I want to make a statement about my thoughts on our relations to religion and terror. On February 16, 1999, several bombings happened in Tashkent. The government showed that this event was caused by Uzbekistan Islamic movement. Before appraising this incident, I want to remind one thing: the Uzbek government, for the removal of democratic opponents from political process, always played games before elections. In 1993, for parliament elections, when a year was remaining, it accused us for organizing national assembly. Several Erk and Birlik leaders were thrown into jail. The government attained its goal - a parliament election without opposition was carried out. But despite pressure and persecution, imprisonment and torture, the opposition continued its path. Presidential elections came in 1996. This time, the government accused Erk Party's 19 young men in Turkey of preparing for state revolution. This was not a presidential election without opposition, it created the chance for its continuation through a referendum. Finally, towards the end of 1999, in early 2000 that is, the presidential elections were back the agenda. The opposition was still alive. If it was weak, it still had a voice. International organizations began discussion with Erk and Birlik representatives about the possibility of their participation in the elections. This made the fearful government increase practise its next act of precaution. And, on February 16, the bombs exploded. Take a look at the incidents, these explosions thundered at the moment when Erk and Birlik representatives conducted their discussions about future elections with leaders of OSCE in Hotel Intercontinental. Once more, the coincidence of these two incidents demonstrate what has never happened in history. The defense legal office of the accused has said this fact: Uzbek government knew about the intention/preparation of explosion beforehand. This is a very important factor. If they knew beforehand, why were precautions/measures not taken? - this is the inevitable question. Having not taken measures, on the contrary, the National Security officers and Internal Affairs ministers observed the steps until February 16, making arrest one after another when the bombs exploded. According to known unofficial sources: in April 1998, Uzbek government arrested two people Nazarbek Umarov and Abdunabi Nishonboev, members of a radical group. Under instructions, this group clarifies internal and external active members, establishing supervision from above. Then in November 1998, in Turkmenistan, the group's leader, Bahrom Abdullayev, well-informed of the organization's plans, was taken. From Abdullayev, the organization's plans and potential were learned and recorded.
This notion will be delivered to the outside with consultation from Umarov, Nishonboev and Abdullaev, who were placed in a basement.
A register of names was arranged for those to be arrested, and political opposition member are on the top of this list. In Tashkent, beginning on February 3, observation officers were placed outside of my daughter's home. Everyday, the militsia came to check documents. A day after the explosions, my brother Rashid Bekjon was seized and taken away. That same day, the same observation officers were placed around the homes of Mamadali Mahmud, Otanazar Orif and Mutabar Axmedova. Likewise, opposition members who were in the border areas were taken under control, and MXX agents were sent to all those town and border areas that opposition members came and went. An example manifested in Istanbul. In the beginning of February 1999, when Birlik People Movement's member Aliboy Yo'lyashiyev and his family were on their way to leave for Canada from Istanbul airport, Turk and Uzbek police detained them and wanted to deport them to Uzbekistan. With their refugee status from the United Nations, they were ultimately released.
On February 13, National Security Service chairman polkovnik Anvar Solibboev, a committee leadership member, came to Ankara to request help from Turkey Secret Service for ending terrorism in the borders. On February 14, he went from Ankara to Moscow, and repeatedly sought the same help from the Russians.
After February 16, the majority of the culprits related to the bombings were seized without any difficulty from Kazakhstan and Kirghizstan. Certain "retired" officers from the Internal Affairs Ministry who participated in this operation left for Russia - many things can be learned from them.
There is one thing that can be said about me: the certain thing that I was accused of, was not confirmed in legal courts.
No slander is permanent, the truth will inevitably surface in the future. The original performer of this murder will ultimately sit in the black chair. As a party, we have always said that we sharply denounce any kind of terrorism. Nothing can justify terrorism - not with any notion, neither national nor religious, because terrorism is anti-humanity. Terrorism has no relations to the religion of Islam. Because terrorism is anti-morality, Islam on the other hand is morality, high morality. For this reason, it is wrong to say that "Islam" is the post-script to terrorism.
My honored friends,
Our country is standing at a crossroad. Nothing has come out of this crossroad today. It chose the path two years earlier, yet it has not taken the step. Uzbekistan has not been able to designate its own future like a state. Its progress cannot be found or measures, it is still standing at this crossroad - without plans, without hopes or dreams. The shortcoming of our leaders, their imaginations and their insights is apparent - as can be seen in their exaggerated discussions of "Turkish model", "Korean model", even "Pinochet" model. This demonstrates their lack of courage and resolution. In that, there is no "illness" in the opposition's model. Our aim has always been open and transparent in the political arena.
Our aim is to build a democratic and lawful state in Uzbekistan. There will be no place for dictatorship or any kind of monopoly. Certain aspects may need to be disputed and contended for the future state, but we will not contend the principles.
The people's basic rights and liberties and the state's silhouette placed by columns of justice were already drawn. We are prepared to cooperate with every group and organization, free the people from oppression and we hope to serve our people with impartiality. Enough of that, let our intentions be pure.
In a resolute state, there are no police officers who stand above the citizen, documents are not checked at every pace, streets are not sealed with "blokpost", soldiers do not wander and search around the streets with "kalashnikovs" over their shoulders. This particular situation is possible. In Uzbekistan, 12 years unofficial particular conditions have been published.
For real resolution, national consensus needs National Reconciliation. The first step in this job is the need for PUBLIC REHABILITATION (reablitatsiya) of political detainees. This is not amnesty. This rehabilitation (reablitatsiya) should pursue the freedom of ideas and opinions - political or religious - and embrace those citizens who have been arrested and sentenced.
In this reabilitatsiya, the future people who form a large part of the population are intellectuals and moderate religious groups. In the aspect of politics, this is the most active part and dynamic part of our society.
If the National Reconciliation implements a little of its authority in practice, victory is possible. With your permission, I am inviting the acceptance of appeal to all political groups and government towards establishing "National Reconciliation Committee" as the day's agenda of our Congress.
My honored comrades, dear brothers and sisters!
Like your comrades in exile, please accept my sentiments of longing and missing for my motherland and to be with you all. May Allah and fate allow us to see each other in the near future on the mother soil.