The United States too welcomes Mr. Duve's report on recent events regarding freedom of the media in Uzbekistan. Like Mr. Duve, we are encouraged by news of the lifting of restrictions on internet access there.

While we are pleased that Uzbekistan hosted the Fourth Central Asia Media Conference on the 26^th and 27^th of September, which we regard as an encouraging sign that the government welcomes the discussion on the role the media plays in combating corruption, we are at the same time concerned about the report of Uzbek border guards beating one of the participants in that meeting.

We call on Uzbek authorities to conduct a full investigation of this incident and hold those involved accountable.

This incident highlights not only the need to guarantee the safety and integrity of journalists and their rightful place in a democratic society, but also the need to increase efforts to provide human rights training to border guards.

Journalistic reporting on corruption serves, as Mr. Duve notes, as a "corrective function." During the media conference, Mr. Duve stated that, in established democratic countries, such as Germany, where journalists discover cases of official corruption, those involved in corruption are brought to justice. This is an appropriate mechanism for dealing with corruption, while at the same time, protecting fundamental freedoms of expression and of the media.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.