More and more information becomes available concerning the content of the program speech Islam Karimov made at the Uzbek Liberal Democratic Party convention that nominated him for president again in defiance of the Constitution. Reuters published excerpts from Karimov's speech delivered in Uzbek and not yet translated into other languages.

It was during the convention that Karimov who does not formally belong to any political party said in public for the first time that he was ready for another term of office. "It is an honor and responsibility for the trust placed in me," the president said upon expressing his gratitude to the Liberal Democratic Party for support.

The necessity to find a loophole in the legislation never even brought up, Karimov suggested instead that it was wrong to concentrate on personal matters and personalities. "Where the forthcoming election is concerned, we'd better forget candidates' personalities and focus on the future foreign and domestic policy, the future of Uzbekistan, and fate of its people," he said.

According to Reuters, Karimov's long-winded speech bore a strong resemblance to election program. The president gave an account of the country's accomplishments in the years of sovereignty and emphasized the part he himself had played in democratic and free-market reforms. "Turning points in the life of the country en route to development of an independent modern democratic state - something dreamed about for centuries - depended on the leader, on the correct strategy he worked out, his merits and traits, his knowledge and experience," Karimov announced.

Independent observers and human rights activists in their turn claim that Karimov who has been at the helm of Uzbekistan since 1989 crushed civil freedoms and curtailed economic reforms.

Karimov on the other hand mentioned the necessity to overcome "the colonial Soviet past" prior to pronouncing overall well-being as increased and the people as being "noticeably healthier nowadays". The head of state announced that longevity now was 6 years longer than before and that average eighteen-year old was higher (5 cm), heavier (4 to 8 kg), and with a broader chest (6.8 cm) than the previous generation.

Karimov's opponents in the meantime believe that inconsistent reforms, tyranny of the regime, and corruption placed more than 50% of the population below the subsistence minimum and that at least 25% regularly starve.

Outlining the tasks of his next presidency, Karimov mentioned maintenance of economic growth, support of businesses, development of civil society, and political and economic liberalization.

Karimov seems fairly confident of his triumph in the presidential election scheduled for December 23. At the very least, it is the only conclusion to be drawn from his speech which was extremely self-plauditory and wrapped up in the following manner, "I'm convinced everyone here understands that every citizen of the country needs a policy of peace and tranquility, progress, better life, and prosperity. Choosing their leader and placing their trust in him, voters will be taking it all into consideration, I think."

Karimov announced that he wanted neither particularly wealthy nor impoverished people in Uzbekistan. The president ascribed his stand on the matter to "ancient values" and "principles of social justice".

According to Karimov, it was necessary to concentrate on modernization of the country, renovation of society, continuation of the reforms aimed to boost economy and secure macroeconomic balance, and advancement of the policy of benefits and preferences for small businesses and farmers.

The president promised to keep in the focus of attention liberalization in all spheres in the name of the interests of the people.

Independent observers and human rights activists are of the opinion (and have been these last fifteen years) that the Uzbek regime is making progress in the opposite direction exactly. They blame Karimov for suppression of dissent and encroachment on human rights and civil freedoms.