Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

A democratic society requires that parliamentarians have the freedom to express their views on public questions, without fear of official harassment or prosecution.

The United States is therefore concerned about the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Kyrgyz parliamentarian Azimbek Beknazarov and its apparent link to his public statements critical of the policies of the Government of Kyrgyzstan.

Such actions violate the human rights goals which President Akayev supported in his recent decree on a national program to promote human rights. They are also inconsistent with the government's OSCE commitment to freedom of expression.

We urge the Government of Kyrgyzstan to release Mr. Beknazarov immediately and to conduct all legal proceedings in his case in a fair and open manner.

We are also concerned about the effects of Decree Number 20, which was released on January 14 of this year. This Decree would introduce mandatory inventory and registration by the government of all typographical and printing equipment and it would impose stricter controls on its imports. The Decree, which is ostensibly intended to combat the dissemination of religious extremist leaflets, also includes a clause requiring authorities to "undertake revision" of all registered religious organizations as well as to regulate the construction of religious buildings.

Requiring the registration in the next month of all printing and copying equipment, as well as companies that provide such services, would be a fatal blow to freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Revising the list of officially registered religious groups and controlling the number of religious buildings to be constructed would damage freedom of religion, an area in which the Kyrgyz Republic has distinguished itself in the region. As coalition partners, both the United States and Kyrgyzstan take the fight against terrorism seriously. Regrettably, Decree 20 weakens that effort. There are far more effective ways to fight extremists. The tragic events of September 11 have several lessons. One is that protecting human rights, including freedom of religion and freedom of the press, is essential for preventing the kind of extremism that leads to terrorism.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, we would also like to take this opportunity to note several positive developments in the region. First, we would like to applaud the recent abolition of exit visas in Turkmenistan and to express the hope that those states that still have this requirement will also consider abolishing this practice. We also take note that prisoner of conscience Shageldy Atakov was released from prison on January 7. This, too, is a positive development. Finally, we are pleased to see reports that more than 800 prisoners of conscience have been released in Uzbekistan and that steps are also being taken to reform the judicial system.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.