Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Like Ambassador Gantchev, we too, are concerned about the security situation in southern Kyrgyzstan and the effect it could have on the region. We appreciate the Center's reporting on this issue. We would welcome ideas from Governments in the region—a well as the OSCE Centers—on actions the OSCE could take to help stabilize the situation.

As an OSCE Participating State, we encourage Uzbekistan to use the OSCE to its full potential. We stand ready to assist that process in any way possible.

We remain concerned about forthcoming elections in Uzbekistan, that they will not meet OSCE standards. Some changes have been made to the election legislation based on ODIHR’s recommendations. But more remains to be done: easing registration requirements, reducing the number of signatures needed by citizens’ initiative groups, and permitting free speech.

We are particularly concerned that registration procedures do not allow for genuine political alternatives. As we have said prior to other elections, minimum standards need to be met to warrant international observation.

We welcome the reported release of as many as 300 prisoners of conscience and believe this is a step in the right direction.

However, we remain concerned about reports of arrests and detentions inconsistent with Uzbek law. And we are even more concerned about reports of torture and forced confessions of persons in detention.

Mr. Chairman, Uzbekistan has a key role to play in Central Asia’s democratic development. Meeting these minimum standards will help ensure that role contributes to the region’s stability and security.