PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN ISLAM ABDUGANIEVICH KARIMOV

03.09.2016

Our Fatherland, all Uzbek people suffered a huge and irreplaceable loss. An outstanding statesman and politician, the first President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Abduganievich Karimov passed away after a serious illness on 2 September 2016.

Islam Abduganievich Karimov was born on 30 January 1938 in Samarkand into a family of civil servants. He graduated from the Central Asian Polytechnic Institute and the Tashkent Institute of national economy, receiving degrees as an engineer-mechanic and economist.

He began work in 1960 at the “Tashselmash” (Tashkent agricultural machinery) plant. From 1961-66 he worked as an engineer, a leading engineer-constructor at the Tashkent aviation production complex.

In 1966 he started work at the State planning office of the Uzbek SSR where he was promoted from the position of a specialist to the position of a first deputy chairman of the State planning office.

In 1983 Islam Abduganievich Karimov was appointed Minister of finance of the Uzbek SSR, in 1986 – deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Uzbek SSR and chairman of the State planning office.

In 1986-89 he worked as first secretary of the Kashkadarya provincial party committee. Thanks to his great talent as a leader and organizer, his dedication and determination, ability and desire to be around people and to live with their concerns and interests, the situation in Kashkadarya region, which was under a very difficult socio-economic situation, has changed dramatically in a short period.

In June 1989 Islam Abduganievich Karimov was elected as first secretary of the Central committee of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan.

It was a time when the country was on the brink of a civil war, bloodshed, ethnic and religious conflicts, in line with the scenarios that were implemented in the neighboring countries. In this difficult period, he, with his foresight, will and determination saved our people and country from this gloomy fate.

It was then that our people acquired in the name of Islam Abduganievich Karimov a true leader with personal courage, indomitable will and vision of the essence of the ongoing extremely complex events, a special sense of responsibility for his country and people, for the fate of every compatriot.

On 24 March 24 1990 Islam Abduganievich Karimov was elected President of the Uzbek SSR at the session of the Supreme Council of the Uzbek SSR. On 29 December 1991 he was elected the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in multi-candidate elections.

Heading the independent Uzbekistan for 25 years, Islam Abduganievich Karimov has attained a high authority in the country and in international community as an outstanding statesman, who has developed and implemented a deeply thought-out strategy of building a democratic constitutional state with a civil society and a market economy.

Maintaining and strengthening independence of Uzbekistan has been the highest priority for President Islam Karimov and this has become a fundamental principle of his policy.

The peoples of Uzbekistan inextricably relate the great achievements of the country in the years of independence with the name and activity of the Head of our state. He is rightfully considered the author of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, fully meeting the democratic requirements and international criteria, and has turned into a true guarantor of its implementation.

In 1991 Uzbekistan was a backward agrarian country with a hypertrophied one-sided economy, a cotton monopoly, destructively influencing it, extremely low level of people's standard of living. The country did not produce many kinds of essential goods, did not provide its own needs, primarily on grain and energy resources.

Islam Abduganievich Karimov was firmly convinced that the political independence may not be achieved without achieving economic independence. Accordingly, he developed a program of fundamental reforms and structural transformation of the economy of Uzbekistan, based on the well-known five principles, which has received worldwide recognition as the "Uzbek model" of development. The fundamental basis of this model was the practical implementation of the strategic priority - "The reforms are not for the sake of reforms, but for the sake of people."

Under his initiative, mass-scale structural reforms have been carried out in Uzbekistan, completely new highly technological spheres of industry, such as oil and gas, chemical, car manufacturing, agricultural and railway machinery, pharmaceutical, electrotechnical, textile and construction materials industries, have been founded.

Unique industrial plants in a world scale such as Ustyurt and Shurtan gas chemical complexes, Bukhara oil refinery plant, Kungrad soda plant, Dehkanabad potash fertilizers plant, car manufacturing plants in Andijan, Samarkand, Tashkent and Khorezm regions have been built.

A modern road-transport and engineering-communications infrastructure has been created in the country, in particular railway lines Angren-Pap with a unique tunnel through Kamchik mountain pass and Tashguzar-Boysun-Kumkurgan have been constructed, high-speed rail connection from Tashkent to Samarkand, Bukhara and Karshi has been opened, international airports have been renovated, an international logistics centre at the Navoi airport and the Uzbek national highway have been established.

Uzbekistan’s growth rates among the top 5 developing economies of the world have been a practical manifestation of the results of the reforms, implemented by President Islam Karimov.

Islam Karimov organized deep transformations in agriculture, contributing to formation of a new class of land owners- farmers’ movement. On his initiative, a program of cardinal transformation of rural areas, construction of rural houses, ensuring quality and standards of living for rural population no less than in the cities, is under implementation.

Islam Abduganievich Karimov as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces has ensured radical reforms, improvement of combat power and potential of the Armed Forces, capable of protecting independence, territorial integrity of the Republic of Uzbekistan, inviolability of its borders, peaceful life of our people.

He has developed and implemented the Concept of foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the cornerstone of which is peacefulness, based on non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and addressing emerging contradictions and conflicts only by peaceful, political means. The Head of our state made a great contribution to the preservation of peace and stability in the region and around the world.

Completely abandoning the old dogmas and stereotypes, a large-scale National program for cadres training and a radical reform of the education system on the basis of the most modern international standards have been developed and practically implemented on the initiative of Islam Karimov.

Islam Karimov directly supervised the work on developing and realizing a fundamentally new system of education of the younger generation, radically changing the thinking and outlook of our youth, who are becoming the decisive force of country’s present and future.

The Head of our state raised the respectful relation to the spiritual values of our nation, preservation and development of our sacred religion, traditions and customs, the priceless heritage to the level of state policy, greatly contributed to the increase of the authority of Uzbekistan in the international arena.

Islam Karimov initiated the formation of civil society institutions, in particular increasing the rights and authority of Mahalla in the state and public administration.

Our people are well aware of and appreciate the services of Islam Karimov for large-scale creative work on radical transformation of the image of our capital - the city of Tashkent, towns and villages throughout the country in accordance with the requirements of modern urban planning and architecture.

For his outstanding contribution to formation of a sovereign and independent Uzbekistan, creation of a democratic constitutional state, maintaining civil peace and national accord and for courage, Islam Abduganievich Karimov was awarded the title Hero of Uzbekistan and was decorated with the Mustaqillik (Independence) and Amir Temur orders. He received awards from foreign states and international organizations.

He was a full member of the Academy of sciences of Uzbekistan, for his contribution to economics, science, and education he was awarded honorary doctorates from a number of foreign universities, received awards from foreign states and international organizations.

Islam Karimov infinitely loved the people of Uzbekistan and all his life, until the last few days, dedicated to the service of his country.

The bright memory of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the great son of the Uzbek people Islam Abduganievich Karimov will remain forever in the hearts of our people and the grateful memory of our compatriots.

Sh.M.Mirziyoev, N.T.Yuldashev, N.M. Ismailov, R.R.Inoyatov, R.S.Azimov, D.A.Nazarmukhamedov, Kh.M.Sultanov, Sh.I.Salikhov, I.M.Mirzaaliev

FAREWELL CEREMONY FOR FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN ISLAM KARIMOV

03.09.2016

Uzbekistan and all the people of the country suffered a grave and irretrievable loss. On 2 September 2016, First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov passed away. In connection with this, from 3 September, three days of mourning were declared in the country. Uzbekistan state flags are flying at half-mast throughout Uzbekistan and at the country’s diplomatic representative offices abroad.

On streets of Tashkent and Samarqand, tens of thousands of people bade farewell to President Islam Karimov with a deep sadness in their hearts and tears in their eyes.

On 3 September, a farewell ceremony for First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov took place in Samarqand’s Forums Complex.

The mourning ceremony was attended by the chairman of the Senate of Oliy Majlis (parliament). N.Yuldashev; the speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, N.Ismailov; senators, deputies, the heads of ministries and departments, representatives of the Republic of Qoraqalpoghiston, regions and the city of Tashkent, foreign states’ ambassadors and the heads of the representatives offices of international organizations in the country.

The President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow; the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon; the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani; the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev; the Deputy Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Zhang Gaoli; the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, Lee Joonsik; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, Andrei Kobyakov; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Karim Masimov; the Chairman of the Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan, Oktay Asadov; the Prime Minister of the Republic of Georgia, Georgi Kvirikashvili; the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sooronbay Jeenbekov; the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Turgul Yildirim; the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Stepan Kubiv; minister of state of the United Arab Emirates, Rashid bin-Ahmad bin Fahd; the deputy speaker of the parliament of Armenia, Ermine Nagdalian; Japan’s parliamentary minister, Motome Takisawa; the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Javad Zarif; the chairman of the Executive Committee of the CIS, Sergey Lebedev; and others arrived to attend the farewell ceremony.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sh. Mirziyoyev, who opened the ceremony, expressed deep condolences to members of Islam Karimov’s family and the entire people of Uzbekistan.

The chairman of the Qashqadaryo Regional department of the Nuroniy foundation, Y.Inoyatov; a people’s poetess of Uzbekistan; E.Siddiqova; and others spoke about the grand work carried out by Islam Karimov and great successes achieved by him for the happiness of the Uzbek people and the further prosperity of his native Uzbekistan.

The President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, emphasized that all the initiatives of a true patriot, great statesman and wise politician, Islam Karimov, had won support in the international community. The people of Turkmenistan have deep respect for Islam Karimov. G.Berdimuhamedow said that Islam Karimov had made a big contribution to the consistent development of Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation. In Turkmenistan, squares and streets will be named in honour of Islam Karimov.

The President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, especially said that the life and work of Islam Karimov were vivid examples of selfless service for his Motherland and people. He especially emphasized that thanks to the wise policy of Islam Karmov, peace, calm and stability reign in Uzbekistan. As a result of the implementation of the Uzbek model of development, Uzbekistan’s economy rose by a factor of six in the years of independence, and the living standards and the people’s wellbeing are steadily rising.

The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, expressed deep condolences to the Uzbek people on the passing away of First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. He said especially that Islam Karmov had made a great contribution to restoring peace and calm in Afghanistan and developing cooperation between the two countries and that a meeting with the President of Uzbekistan at the Tashkent summit of SCO that took place in June this year was very useful.

On behalf of the Russian Federation’s President Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, expressed sincere condolences to members of Islam Karimov’s family and the people of Uzbekistan. He said that Islam Karimov was an outstanding statesman and that he had set a lofty example of service for his Fatherland and people. Dmitry Medvedev emphasized that Islam Karimov had made a great contribution to raising relations between Russia and Uzbekistan to the level of allied relations.

The Deputy Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Zhang Gaoli ,said that Islam Karimov was the founder of the independent Republic of Uzbekistan and that in the past years Uzbekistan developed comprehensively. He expressed confidence that Islam Karimov’s great work would be continued and that the country would be even more prosperous. Zhang Gaoli emphasized that thanks to Islam Karimov’s valuable services, in June this year, mutual relations between the two states were raised to the level of all-round strategic partnership and that China is ready for the consistent development of the cooperation with Uzbekistan.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Karim Masimov, read out a letter from the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. It says that the people of Kazakhstan were deeply saddened by grave news of Islam Karimov’s passing away. Large-scale reforms implemented in Uzbekistan in the years of independence, the rises in the country’s economic potential and its prestige in the international community and the growth in the population’s wellbeing are directly associated with the country’s President. Islam Karimov made an inestimable contribution to strengthening good-neighbourly relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. K.Masimov expressed condolences to members of Islam Karimov’s family and all the people of Uzbekistan.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, Andrei Kobyakov, on behalf of Republic of Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka and the people of Belarus, expressed deep condolences to members of Islam Karimov’s family, people close to him and the entire Uzbek nation. He emphasized that great personality, prominent leader Islam Karimov devoted all his energy, possibilities and potential to the cause of ensuring his Fatherland’s prosperity and people’s wellbeing. Kobyakov noted that the wise words of Islam Karimov “do not demolish the old house before building a new one” served as a basis for building this independent great state, the Republic of Uzbekistan, and that today this country has a multi-branch economy and has become a state donor of peace.

The Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sooronbay Jeenbekov, read out a letter from President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev. In this letter, deep condolences to the Uzbek nation are expressed on the passing away of the First President of Uzbekistan. It notes that thanks to resolute actions of great statesman and wise politician Islam Karimov, issues relating to cooperation between the two states and issues of regional significance found positive solutions, which also serves the interests of these peoples today.

In line with Muslim rites, the mourning prayer was recited in the Tillaqori madrasah of the Registon complex.

In accordance with his will, Islam Karimov was buried in the Shahi Zinda cemetery. His parents’ graves are also there.

“The bright memory of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the founder of the country’s independence and new statehood, prominent politician, peacekeeper and statesman loved by the entire Uzbek people, wise reformer and great person, Islam Karimov, will remain in our hearts forever.” These are sincere words coming from the bottom of the hearts of tens of thousands of Uzbeks who attended the farewell ceremony, and the entire Uzbek nation.