Karimov said that the Uzbek people want to be on an equal footing with everyone, "regardless of whether a country is big, great, strong or rich". President Karimov replied to a question about priorities in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy if he is re-elected. Answering a question by a Turkish journalist about Europe and the USA describing elections in Central Asia as not democratic, the Uzbek president said: "There have been such views, there are today and there will be tomorrow.

One should not be surprised at this." The following is an excerpt from Karimov’s interview, broadcast by Uzbek Television First Channel on 24 December, incorporating passages that have already been filed by BBC Monitoring; subheadings have been inserted editorially:

[Presenter] Dear viewers, Islam Karimov, a candidate for the Uzbek presidency from the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan - the movement of businessmen and entrepreneurs, voted at polling station No 644 in our capital yesterday [23 December] and held a conversation with national and foreign journalists there. Now we will show Islam Karimov’s interview with the representatives of media outlets.

[Passage omitted: a correspondent speaks of known details]

Presidential polls - political test for nation

[President Karimov in Uzbek] We all see that this election is being held, above all, on the basis of our constitution, our election laws, as well as democratic standards and requirements which are universally recognized in the world. And proof of this can be seen in the pre-election processes. However, the main test is today’s test, the voting test is the main test. And certainly, observers, and, above all, foreign observers, and observers from the political parties, which have nominated their candidates, the public and journalists are monitoring [the election], if you like. And in their views, to what extent does this election meet, above all, our constitution and universally recognized democratic standards [changes tack] And the most important thing is that, in this election, every person votes for his chosen candidate based on his own will and faith, if you like. And if I am asked about the main condition of this, I would say that it is freedom, [when] there is no external influence to express their will. And the observers will monitor an example of a person voting only based on their own mind and outlook, if you like, and of course, expressing their desire and will. If during this monitoring, we hold the election, above all, on the basis of our constitution, laws and international standards, I think and believe this [changes tack] Because, the preparations have been very great and comprehensive. We may say that today’s [election] is a test for our people, and of course, this is a political test for our people, public and country as well. From this point of view, I am fully confident that our nation, without being second to anyone, will freely vote and definitely show their both ever-increasing political and legal awareness. I am fully sure about that. Nobody should have any doubts in this regard.

[Passage omitted: the president says he wanted to visit families and meet people from various strata separately during his campaign trail, but he had no chance to do so]

I previously expressed my opinion that conversations should take place at meetings. A question and an answer, a question and an answer. And, if you like, one should see people’s eyes and faces and hear their voices. Everything can be heard in these voices. One will ask you a question with either respect or hatred. There is either interest or no interest at all. I have always demanded that a rostrum wherever I have had meetings with people not be high. Who is great? A voter is great. A voter should be in a higher position than others, and if they express their own view, will and opinions, one should freely speak and [hear] their words and opinions and see their faces and eyes. During my pre-election meetings with people, I took one thing very closely [changes tack] The Koran says that good comes from good. Therefore, I heard, saw and felt one thing, that is to say I saw whatever I have done as a president in those people’s faces and eyes and it seemed to me that those people felt good things that I have done. It is encouraging to see that, believe it or not. That is to say all the work you did was not in vain. I believe that people know what they are voting for. That is [they vote] for the future, for peace in the country, for the development of our homeland and for the well-being of the nation. If I express my opinion that people are voting with confidence that [they have an answer to] their question as to what awaits and that our future will be definitely better than our present, I think it is not far from truth.

Journalists should learn foreign experience

[Correspondent] The activities of media outlets is of significance in every democratic election process. Therefore, journalists showed interest in Islam Karimov’s views on the current state of and prospects for our country’s press.

[A correspondent of the Uzbek newspaper XXI Asr in Uzbek] Our national press has formed and has stood on its feet. Today it is expressing its views. What do you think our press should focus the main attention on in future?

[Karimov in Uzbek] I think that, in the first place, it should be the implementation of laws adopted in this regard. In the second place, journalists themselves, in my opinion, should abandon their internal self-censorship. That is to say nothing happens without struggle. I perceive a journalist, first of all, as a fighter.

For instance, one can work in a plant, field or business, but a journalist should be a fighter, above all, to convey truth to people. They should convey that truth fully and carry out it not only by words, but by their own actions, if you like. And lastly, our journalists should go through a big school. I believe that there are grounds for sending some journalists abroad not for one month but for six months. We should also form an opinion that we are not second to anybody in journalism, if you like. That is to say [they] should learn their [foreign journalists’] experience and introduce and implement it in our environment.

[Passage omitted: the president says journalists should also know other fields in addition to journalism]

Foreign policy

[A correspondent of the Chinese news agency Xinhua in Russian] Esteemed President, what priorities will be in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, if you win the election?

[Karimov in Russian] We have always come out for and will continue to come out for not interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. This is first and foremost. It is very important that we want to be on an equal footing with everyone, regardless of whether a country is big, great, strong or rich. Regardless of that, we want to be on an equal footing with everyone. In my view, there are no small or big nations. Nations are nations because each of them has its own pride, self-consciousness, history and way of life. Every country, as well as every nation, should respect another country. If such relations are built up between Uzbekistan and our close and distant neighbours, I am confident that is what conforms to our interests. I answered your question in general. But, as for China which you represent, I would like to expressly say that I sent a congratulatory telegram to [Chinese President] Hu Jintao recently, that is two days ago. He had a jubilee, that is a birthday. In the telegram, I stated all [changes tack] And on behalf of all Uzbek people, I expressed my personal respect for him and in his person, I expressed respect for the Chinese people. That is to say I stressed that we have great respect for both the history of China and its present position. China is among the leading countries of the world and it has a brighter future.

Western views on elections in Central Asia

[A journalist of the Turkish Radio and Television in Tashkent, Levent Necar [phonetic], in Turkish] Firstly, we congratulate Uzbekistan on the election. Over 16m of people use their right to vote today. There are ethnic cultural centres of more than 130 ethnic groups. The election was attended by 264 [international] observers and there are over 23,000 observers in total who will monitor the election. Sometimes, there are views in Europe and the USA that elections in Central Asia are not democratic. But in Uzbekistan there is a culture of "mahalla" [local neighbourhood], all of the candidates made speeches on TV and radio. Having lived here for three years, we can say that this is a democratic country.

[Karimov in Uzbek] There have been such views, there are today and there will be tomorrow. One should not be surprised at this. Because it is politics. These politics have meaning, content and, if you like, they have their goal. I think that our public should look at this from this point of view. What can we do? If they have such a policy, let it be. But I think that time will come and they will understand. The Uzbek people will be grateful if there are more journalists like you, that is journalists who talk objectively, who see [things] objectively and who understand objectively. We have always lived with our intelligence. We will live with our intelligence in the future as well. That is we know ourselves with who we will be on good terms and, if you like, with who we will further strengthen relations. We have our own pride, dignity, life and goals. We will pursue a real policy to achieve these goals.

I would like to thank you all. Allow me to express confidence that today will be a historic day for Uzbekistan.

[Presenter] You watched the interview given to national and foreign journalists by Islam Karimov, a candidate for the Uzbek presidency from the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan - the movement of businessmen and entrepreneurs, at polling station No 644 in our capital.

Source/Translation: BBC Monitoring Central Asia