The latest news from Tashkent set all news agencies in the world discussing how the Uzbek leadership is determined to democratize the country. The news is sensational indeed, since most of the international community regards Uzbekistan as a country with one of the worst authoritarian regimes in the world.

What stirred media outlets was the news that Islam Karimov forwarded to the parliament draft law "On the role of political parties in renovation and democratization of state management and modernization of the country" and suggested some amendments to the Constitution as well. A closer look at the draft law shows in the meantime that introduction of the term "opposition" in officialese is the only innovation it suggests. There has been no opposition in Uzbekistan until now - discounting the episode in December 2004, right after the parliamentary election, when some factions of the parliament proclaimed themselves the opposition to the government.

It may only be added that it was the People's Democratic Party that proclaimed itself the opposition. Patriarch of all political parties in sovereign Uzbekistan, it was established in 1991 on the basis of the former Uzbek Communist Party. Karimov, former First Secretary of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan, quit the People's Democratic Party in 1996. The so called Karimov's party may now become opposition "by statute". To quote from the draft law, "Factions of political parties and deputies nominated by initiative groups that do not accept the policy and program of the new government or their elements may proclaim themselves the opposition." The document proceeds to outline the rights of the opposition that actually boil down to the ability to suggest alternative draft laws, put a "separate opinion" on protocols of plenary meetings, and participate in conciliatory commissions.

These innovations wrap up the president's resolve to "continue democratization" of the country which experts believe is an element of the program of political modernization of Uzbekistan Karimov chartered in 2002. As a matter of fact, Karimov's initiatives were published the day the EU-Uzbekistan Cooperation Council began its work in Brussels (an instrument that will hopefully restore cooperation between Europe and Uzbekistan). Cooperation between them ended with the public outcry in Europe over the massacre in Andijan in May 2005. These days, Karimov is once again determined to demonstrate his readiness for a compromise that will suit Europe.

Vremya Novostei, November 10, 2006, p. 5

© Translated by Ferghana.Ru