Uzbek opposition welcomes rapprochement with the West
Activists of Birlik Halk Harakati (People's Movement Birlik) met in Kokand in the Ferghana Valley on March 10 to discuss rapprochement between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the West.
Birlik Halk Harakati welcomes the rapprochement under way but points out that official Tashkent should remain true to its commitments in the matters of political rights and civil freedoms and in the matter of democratic reforms in the course of this promotion of relations with the democratic international community.
One of the issues on the agenda dealt with recruitment into the party. "Harassment, trials followed by conviction, and immigration cost us a great deal of activists. We need new people," speakers at the meeting announced.
Birlik Halk Harakati was established in 1989. It eventually split and one of its splinter groups became Erk (Will) headed by poet Muhammad Salih living in emigration.
Birlik Halk Harakati's several attempts to obtain official registration were never acknowledged by the authorities.
Uznews.Net, March 11. Translated by Ferghana.Ru news agency