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September 20, 2001:
#5452 
#5453
[Second Issue of the Day]
#8
Uzbek to aid in U.S. in war on terrorism
By MARINA KOZLOVA
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Uzbekistan said Wednesday that the
United States would be justified in waging war on Afghanistan if there was
conclusive evidence that last week's terror attacks in New York and
Washington were planned there by Afghanistan's guest Osama bin Laden.
Following a reported conversation with President Bush via phone, Uzbek
President Islam Karimov called Afghanistan "one of the training grounds
where terrorists of all denominations are trained." The president also
spoke
out against those nations who finance terrorists.
Bin Laden, the prime suspect for the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade
Center and Pentagon, is thought to reside in an unknown location in
Afghanistan. The country's ruling Taliban, recognized by only Saudi Arabia,
United Arab Emirates and Pakistan as the country's legitimate government,
have yet to decide whether to meet U.S. demands for the handover of bin
Laden.
The Taliban's religious leaders continued to deliberate Wednesday saying
the United States needs to provide them with proof that bin Laden is
responsible for last week's attacks.
Karimov said he told Bush Wednesday that Uzbekistan is committed to
working with the United States to eliminate terrorist training camps and
bases in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
"So far there have been no discussions between Uzbekistan and the United
States for using Uzbek airspace or military bases for operations inside
Afghanistan," he said, adding that his country was "open to
talks."
"We have never made promises to anyone regarding the use of our
territory," said Karimov after a meeting with Chief of the Russian Security
Council Vladimir Rushailo."
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