United Nations, 17 September 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Uzbek Foreign Minister Elyor Ganiev said yesterday that Central Asia is plagued by a convergence of terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking.
Ganiev's speech to the UN General Assembly summit was dominated by concerns about terrorism and regional instability.
He said the stabilization of Afghanistan has become "unjustifiably delayed" and that international donors have not followed through on their promises to the country.
Ganiev also expressed frustration with what he said was the failure by the international community to coordinate an effective counternarcotics strategy for Afghanistan and Central Asia. At the same time, he said, demilitarizing the region has become more important under current circumstances.
Uzbekistan recently notified Washington it wants the U.S. military to vacate a base in the country used as a staging area for forces working to stabilize Afghanistan.
For other stories on the UN Summit, see:
Azerbaijani Minister Touts Country's Role In Regional Security
Armenian Premier Praises UN Efforts Against Terror
World Leader Wrap Up UN Summit
Lukashenka Criticizes U.S. 'Unipolar' World Dominance
UN: Organization Opens 60th Anniversary Summit Looking At Reforms
Iran: In First UN Speech, President Ahmadinejad Aims Criticism At U.S.
He said the stabilization of Afghanistan has become "unjustifiably delayed" and that international donors have not followed through on their promises to the country.
Ganiev also expressed frustration with what he said was the failure by the international community to coordinate an effective counternarcotics strategy for Afghanistan and Central Asia. At the same time, he said, demilitarizing the region has become more important under current circumstances.
Uzbekistan recently notified Washington it wants the U.S. military to vacate a base in the country used as a staging area for forces working to stabilize Afghanistan.
For other stories on the UN Summit, see:
Azerbaijani Minister Touts Country's Role In Regional Security
Armenian Premier Praises UN Efforts Against Terror
World Leader Wrap Up UN Summit
Lukashenka Criticizes U.S. 'Unipolar' World Dominance
UN: Organization Opens 60th Anniversary Summit Looking At Reforms
Iran: In First UN Speech, President Ahmadinejad Aims Criticism At U.S.