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28 December 1998 -- Fidokorlar National Democratic Party holds founding congress in Tashkent, former deputy director of the Uzbekistan Strategic Research Institute, Erkin Norbotayev, elected secretary-general

30 November 1998 -- At press conference in Tashkent, President Karimov says Uzbekistan did not have any role in the rebellion in Tajikistan earlier in the month, says fighting there was the result of an inter-clan power struggle, says Russia's FSB probably involved, including FSB Colonel Rezo Tursunov, says amount of drugs seized along Tajikistan's borders with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan is proof that Tajik government and law enforcement agencies are involved in drug trade

16 November 1998 -- IFX and AP report that Uzbekistan has withdrawn its contingent from the CIS peacekeeping force in Tajikistan and redeployed it to area along Uzbekistan's border with Tajikistan and Afghanistan

13 November 1998 -- Uzbek Foreign Ministry releases statement rejecting as "completely groundless" Tajik government accusations that Uzbek leadership provided aid to the Tajik rebels for their revolt in Leninabad

12 November 1998 -- Rakhmonov addresses Tajik parliament, says he has proof Uzbek President Karimov aided rebels, says "by organizing coups and helping rebels, the Uzbek leadership wants to take the whole of Tajikistan under its control"

11 November 1998 -- Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov denies his country had any part in Tajik rebellion, admits border between two countries porous

21 October 1998 -- President Karimov sacks Tax Committee Chairman Murudulo Kurolov for "serious violations," which Uzbek radio says were "excessive vanity, pomposity and contempt for national customs and traditions, disgracing his honor and authority as a leader and abusing his post," three days later Kurolov is arrested, after which his assistant, Masur Zakir, commits suicide by jumping from a fifth-floor window

15 October 1998 -- 15 "Wahhabis" go on trial in Andijan, charged with terrorism, possession of arms and drugs, robbery and extortion, five other "Wahhabis" go on trial in Tashkent, charged with the same offenses

8 September 1998 -- IFX reports President Karimov signs government resolution cutting number of state officials by 25 percent

28 August 1998 -- Uzbek parliament opens 12th session, President Karimov warns deputies about Taliban, parliament approves Ghofur Barnoyev as chairman of CEC

12 August 1998 -- Taliban capture the town of Hairaton

8 August 1998 -- Taliban enter Mazar-i-Sharif, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan strengthen border defenses

24 June 1998 -- Fourth and final trial against "Wahhabis" opens in Tashkent, eight charged

5 June 1998 -- Uzbek Supreme Court sentences seven "Wahhabis" to prison terms of between six and 10 years for crimes related to 1997 killings in Namangan

25 May 1998 -- Tajik President Rakhmonov asks UTO leader Nuri to turn over 45 UTO members wanted by Uzbek government

13 May 1998 -- Four "Wahhabis" sentenced to between five and eight years in jail

7 May 1998 -- "Wahhabi" trials start in Namangan, 12 face charges of planning violence in Namangan, 15 others await trial

1 May 1998 -- Uzbek parliament passes law imposing new restrictions on religious groups, law requires all mosques and religious schools with more than 100 members to register, President Karimov addresses parliament, warns of Wahhabis and says "such people must be shot in the head. If necessary, I'll shoot them myself, if you lack the resolve"

29 April 1998 -- RFE/RL reports Democratic Opposition Coordination Council met in Kokand during previous week, despite March announcement by leader Shukrullo Mirsaidov that he was leaving

18 April 1998 -- IFX reports President Karimov again warning about spread of political Islam, says allowing Islamic Renaissance Party would put Uzbekistan back dozens of years

26 March 1998 -- Speaking to journalists, President Karimov says Wahhabis to blame for Namangan killings, criticizes human rights organizations for "defending for the sake of defending"

10 March 1998 -- President Karimov signs decree dismissing Deputy Prime Minister Komiljon Rakhimov 6 March 1998 -- Shukrullo Mirsaidov tells RFE/RL that the Democratic Opposition Coordinating Council has ceased to function

6 March 1998 -- Deputy Interior Minister Kutbuddin Burhanov tells RFE/RL that Nazarov and another imam are wanted for promoting Wahhabism with goal of overthrowing the government

5 March 1998 -- Muhammed Solih leaves Turkey at government's request, flies to Bucharest

5 March 1998 -- Security forces surround home of Obidkhon Nazarov, former imam at Tashkent's Tokhtaboy mosque; Nazarov was tipped off and able to seek a lawyer

16 February 1998 -- Foreign Minister Komilov tells journalists that underground Islamic organizations in Pakistan are training some 400 Uzbek, Tajik, and Kyrgyz citizens to carry out sabotage and terrorist acts, Komilov says aim is to create Islamic states in Central Asia, Komilov says Pakistani government not involved