Presentation of the 2006 Human Development Report drafted by specialists of the UN Development Program took place in Tashkent on November 16. Authors of the report studied 177 UN members for average length of life, income level, and education and compiled the annual rating. Countries with the best level of human potential development are on top of the rating. The UN Development Program rating is regarded as one of the most objective nowadays.

Some of the authors of the report and Fikret Akchura, Representative of the UN Development Program in Uzbekistan, took part in the presentation. They informed journalists of the conclusions drawn in the course of the survey and answered questions. All of that was a waste of time and effort. All Uzbek media outlets without exception ran but short stories on the issue. They only stated that the traditional presentation had taken place but never said a word on what really counted - namely Uzbekistan's place in the rating.

Since Uzbek media outlets only exist to praise and extol successes and progress made under the leadership of its wise and shrewd president, it is hardly surprising that journalists play mum's the word on Uzbekistan's place in the rating. As a matter of fact, it was rated the 133rd. Uzbekistan's rating has been falling for years: it was the 111th in 2005, 107th in 2004, 101st in 2003, 95th in 2002, and 94th in 2001.

Publishing it is like saying in public that Islam Karimov's incompetence is driving the country into an abyss. It follows that Uzbek media outlets' silence is a mute indication of the state of affairs in the republic that is no less eloquent than the UN Development Program report.