I'm a novice, but my translation of
Komersant's Russian version would look something like this (typos my own, rush job):
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World practice
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Vladimir Putin justifies Islam Karimov's trust
// friendship among peoples
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| After the unrest in Andizhan |
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All day yesterday in Moscow representatives of the Russian government and Uzbekistan's president Islam Karimov discussed what actually took place in Andizhan. Mr. Karimov is certain that the events in Andizhan are the West's revenge on Uzbekistan for their independent foreign policies. According to the Russian government, however, these were the intrigues of international terrorism. In the end the leaders of Russia and Uzbekistan agreed that, in any case, Islam Karimov's actions in Andizhan deserve fervent approval and support.
Islam Karimov decided to tell the press the whole truth about the Andizhan shooting, and hastened to arrange what were, in his words, 'the thick and weighty points'. Since the press conference took place before the leaders' closed discussions, it was Vladimir Putin's first time in hearing Islam Karimov's confession, and he listened attentively. Attentively, since the success of the talks, so important to the Kremlin's plans in establishing a triangle betweek Russia, Uzbekistan, and China (see yesterday's issue), would hinge on just how Mr. Karimov would describe the events in Andizhan.
Judging by the Russian president's encouraging reaction, Mr. Karimov described the shootings in Andizhan to the press in just the manner that Vladimir Putin expected, and even better. At the beginning the president of Uzbekistan declared that the events in Andizhan were a pre-planned act of vengeance by the West against Uzbekistan for its 'independent policies'. He hinted unequivocably that, in this case, the United States had a leading role in organizing the demonstrations: "scriptwriters and directors used the extremist forces, which they themselves once called terrorists, against whom they fought in Afghanistan, and whom they are so successfully fighting now in Iraq." In Islam Karimov's words, the media also took part: western journalists had already arrived in Andizhan by May 10th, set themselves up in hotels, and "selected the most convenient spots from which to observe the square."
Islam Karimov then attacked US senators, the European Union, and NATO, who had "so unceremoniously spoke about a tragedy in Andizhan. There is no substance whatsoever to all their resolutions and rulings which they tried to pass in Europe. They were all guided by coded communications of (intelligence) agencies and human rights activists," said the agitated Uzbek president. For this very reason Mr. Karimov was against an international investigation: "Any international commission would place emphasis on the fact that peaceful people became victims, and that the government of Uzbekistan should be held responsible - here is your prepared resolution, ready fodder for the news agencies".
Mr. Karimov intended to contradict the human rights activists' findings with an "open investigation by qualified Uzbek courts." In the Uzbek president's words, a hearing for the participants in Andizhan would take place only after several months. Moreover, Islam Karimov frightened the journalists with a statement that, in police custody "there are people who were trained outside of Uzbekistan. They were well-trained: they know who carry weapons and grenade launchers."
Then Islam Karimov began to describe the connection between the shootings in Andizhan and the 'flower revolutions'. He could have talked longer, but suddenly broke off and looked questioningly at President Putin. Vladimir Putin asked the journalists if they wished to pose any questions, but after Islam Karimov's speech all were struck dumb, and so the Russian president took over. "We are very anxious about what happened in Uzbekistan, and we are satisfied that it was possible to maintain control of the situation," Vladimir Putin stated significantly. He confirmed that foreign forces were involved, but did not adhere to Islam Karimov's thesis relative to the influence of the West or the United States, but went in an entirely different direction: "We had information about infiltration by fighters from Afghanistan, this is confirmed by our special services." After this, both presidents left for private talks.
It was made clear yesterday that Moscow supports Islam Karimov's actions in Andizhan. While meeting with Islam Karimov, Minister of Defense Sergey Ivanov more persistantly spoke of 'the hands of foreign countries'. "Foreign tracks are clearly evident here. This allowed us to occupy an objection position relative to the events in Andizhan." Islam Karimov caught Mr. Ivanov's meaning immediately, and began to thank him: "There aren't many countries who have shown objectiveness in evaluating the situation in Andizhan. Only President Vladimir Putin, you, Sergey Borisovich, and Foreign Minister Mr. Lavrov, gave an accurate estimate of the proceeding events, and we brought it to our people."
Then Islam Karimov gave his impression of his meeting with Vladimir Putin: "Mever before have I had such an open, thorough, and confidence-inspiring conversation with a Russian president, and I'd like to express my admiration for this man who has such lofty personal qualities as a man and as a president. With such men you can go out on patrol," concluded Islam Karimov.
The parties, however, decided not to organize a reconnaissance mission. Sergey ivanov stated that this summer the first joint Russian-Uzbek exercizes would take place, which is why Russia is occupying itself with re-arming the Uzbek army and examining the potential for establishing joint defense companies. A little while later, on the Russian foreign ministry's website, a statement from Sergey Lavrov appeared. It stated that, in Russia's view, the actions of the Uzbek parliament's special committee were fully adequate as a replacement for an international investigation of the shootings in Andizhan.
ALEKSANDR GABUEV 
