3. Introduction
The well-known political scientist Leonid Levitin once
said: «The appearance of Islam Karimov at the helm of the country can be
compared to some extent with Winston Churchill's coming to the leadership of
Britain in 1940, at a time that was disastrous for it. Churchill then said in
his speech in the House of Commons of the English Parliament: "I have
nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal
of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle
and suffering. ... You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is
victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however
long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. ... I
feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men...» [1].
After the collapse of the USSR, the situation in Uzbekistan,
as well as in the entire post-Soviet space, characterized by a sharp decline
in the economy. It caused due to the disruption of economic, industrial and
financial ties that had been developed over many years, as well as the legal
vacuum of the current legislation and nihilism among a part of the population
that were the result of a drastic departure from both the previously dominant
communist ideology and the system of values connected with it. As a result, the
country had been suffering from runaway inflation as well as from sharp fall
in real incomes of the population and increasing number of unemployed ones.
Foodstuffs and essential goods were catastrophically not enough.
Outbursts of interethnic and interethnic conflicts had
started to plague our country. All this was aggravated by the growth of
radicalization especially among young people, as well as by the ongoing
military confrontation in Afghanistan and the commenced civil war in Tajikistan.
Such challenges were inherited by the First President
of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. Moreover, it is thanks to his
unique personal qualities of leader, iron will, unprecedented patriotism and
consistently pursued thoroughly thought-out policy that he managed to prevent
the country from sliding down into a state of chaos and preserve the peace in
it and unity of its people.
Perhaps he was the first and the only one among the
leaders of the CIS countries who argued: «Shock therapy is unacceptable for us,
we cannot see in people only a means to an end, even a good end. I will not
allow people to feel hungry and cold, so that the existing system of social
support for the population would be destroyed, so that patients would be left
without hospitals and children without schools».
History tells us that exactly at its sharp bends
during a change of social formations, social problems and contradictions
acquire the most acute character and serve as a potential factor of threats to
national security, civil peace and stability.In these regards, Islam Karimov
determined the strategy of political and economic development, state and public
construction of Uzbekistan based on the historically formed national and
cultural traditions of our people and a sober assessment of the country's potential
as well as major socio-political and economic trends. This was a deliberate and
unequivocal choice - moving towards a modern democratic State with a market
economy neither by great leaps nor by revolutionary destruction, but wisely and
consistently.
The first and perhaps the most important postulate of
the President Islam Karimov's strategy for the transition period was a
cautious and thoughtful implementation of reforms aimed at minimizing the
social losses of the population. He formulated it as follows: «One of the
leading principles on which Uzbekistan's own way of renewal and progress is
based is the implementation of a strong social policy... Provision of reliable
social guarantees and social protection measures is a cross-cutting priority
at all stages of market transformations and permeates other directions of the
whole vast process of society renewal» [2].
The second postulate of his strategy was to ensure
socio-political and socio-economic stability in the country, as a necessary
condition for the successful performing democratic and economic reforms. Islam
Karimov's thesis «Do not destroy the old house unless you have built a new
one», means do not rashly and suddenly abandon the old proven system before
creating a new more effective one. Again, in the matter of reform, gradualness
and steadiness are essential.
One of the first Islam Karimov's practical steps of implementing
his strategy of reforming the country and laying the foundation for national
statehood was the development and adoption in the historically shortest
possible time of the country's Basic Law - the Constitution of the Republic of
Uzbekistan. Islam Karimov chaired a commission on working out a new
Constitution and took an immediate part in the development and consolidation
of the basic principles of Nation-building and society development of the
country. The most important of them are the following:
·
State expresses the will of the people, serves interests
of the people;
·
People of the country are all citizens of Uzbekistan
regardless of their nationality;
-
Equality of all citizens before the law without distinction
of gender, race, nationality, language, religion, social origin, convictions,
personal and social status.
·
The Constitution enshrines State guarantees for the
freedom of economic activity, entrepreneurship and labor; equality and legal
protection and inviolability of all forms of property, including private
property; as well as the division of state power into legislative, executive
and judicial, the task of forming an integrated system of judicial power had
been accomplished successfully.
·
Important attention was paid to the development and
strengthening of the system of local self-government bodies - the «Mahalla»
Institution.
Indigenous Armed Forces and a system of National
security agencies were built up ensuring reliable protection of sovereignty,
constitutional order, territorial integrity, public order as well as
counteraction to the growing threat of international terrorism, extremism and
drug aggression.
Legislative acts «On the Military Doctrine of the Republic
of Uzbekistan», «On the Concept of National Security of the Republic of
Uzbekistan» and a number of other acts were adopted based on a deep analysis of
the socio-political situation in the region and the country's security. That
created a solid legal basis for the integrated defense and security system
functioning, which contributes to the maintaining of peace, tranquility and stability
in the country. President Karimov also focused on issues related to the
formation of civil and public institutions, such as the Parliamentary
Ombudsman, the National Center for Human Rights and a number of others.
Under the leadership of President Islam Karimov, the
Concept of Foreign Policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan was developed based on
peacefulness and non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and
the peace -ful, settle any disputes and conflicts only by political and
peaceful means. The National Parliament approved this document in 2012.
Islam Karimov has repeatedly stated that Uzbekistan
firmly adheres to the position to settle any disputes and conflicts only by
political and peaceful means, without joining any military-political blocs, not
allowing the deployment neither foreign military bases on the territory of its
country nor our soldiers outside of Uzbekistan. He always stressed, «Our people
need peace and tranquility. This is the desire of the people of Uzbekistan and
the goal of our Nation and its firm decision». After gaining Independence, an
active foreign policy Uzbekistan was carried out under the leadership of the
First President. Islam Karimov also repeatedly performed his speeches at
sessions of the UN General Assembly and other international organizations,
presenting his own, sometimes extraordinary, but always honest, heartfelt
approach to resolving the most pressing international issues.
His proposals on combining efforts to the fight terrorism
and drug trafficking, as well as on the formation of in the Central Asia a so called «Security Belt»
were embodied by the opening in Uzbekistan the headquarters of the Regional
Antiterrorist Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),
as well as the creation in Central Asia nuclear weapons free zone from Uzbekistan
was one of the founder states of the SCO and has already chaired this
Organization twice. Thus, in June 2016 in Tashkent, during the Presidency of
the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a meeting
of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO member States was hosted. Important
documents and decisions were adopted to improve the SCO activities and to
expand further their cooperation in various areas.
Speaking about Central Asia, Islam Karimov noted that
the geopolitical space that we call Central Asia, which the world has forgotten
about for almost a century, now declares itself in a new capacity, and this
causes extraordinary changes in the political situation. At the same time,
Central Asia, where the political and economic interests of many countries are
concentrated today, is becoming an important and decisive element in shaping
the strategy of their foreign policy course.
Director of the Institute of Central Asia, Frederick
Star, one of the leading American experts on the problems of this region,
thinks that «among the Central Asian states only Uzbekistan has every reason to
claim the role of a regional stabilizing force» [3].
The creation of a legal framework for a market economy
was the most important basis for the independent development of the country and
one of the fundamental moments of economic reform in Uzbekistan. President
Islam Karimov believed that «only if there is a strong legal basis we can build
a new society with a civilized market economy» [4].
Comprehensive reforms carried out by Islam Karimov
brought the consistent implementation and deepening of structural
transformations in the economy, sustainable and smooth operations of all of its
financial institutions and real economy, promoted the wide introduction of
market mechanisms, diversification, continuous technical and technological
renewal and development of industrial production, as well as attracting
significant-scale investments, including foreign ones. All of these contributed
to building the essential capacities, increasing the country's competitiveness,
laying a solid foundation for further sustainable development of the Nation.
Brand new high-tech sectors such as petrochemical and
automobile industry had been created in the country. Pharmaceutical, chemical
industry, agricultural and railway machinery, as well as the production of
electrical engineering, textiles and modern construction materials had been
given new impetus.
Such unique industrial facilitie as Shurtan gas-chemical
complex, Bukhara Oil Refinery, Kungrad Soda Plant, Dekhkanabad Potash
Fertilizer Plant had been built, as well as automobile plants had been
constructed in Andijan, Samarkand, Tashkent and Khorezm regions.
It is impossible to imagine a modern state without a
developed infrastructure. The process of enhancing national capabilities in the
field of information and communication technologies and their wide application
in all areas of the national economy was conducted in rapid rates. The Program
for development and modernization of Engineering-communication and road
transport infrastructure had been drawn up and had been being implemented.
Among many other transformations the railway lines
Angren-Pap with a unique tunnel through the Kamchik mountain pass, as well as
Tashguzar-Baysun-Kumkur- gan line had been constructed. First high-speed train
in Central Asia was launched on routes Tashkent-Samar- kand-Bukhara-Karshi.
International airports had been modernized. The
international logistic center based on Navoi Airport, as well as the Uzbek
National Highway was established. During the years of Independence, the image
of the country and its cities and villages had radically changed. In fact, the
entire Uzbekistan looks like a huge construction site today. New industrial
enterprises are being put into operation every year, educational and public
health institutions as well as other social facilities are being constructed. Particular
attention is paid to housing construction, whose scale is impressive.
On the initiative of Islam Karimov, the State Program
for the construction of individual standard design housing in rural areas with
allocation of preferential longterm mortgage loans was adopted in order to
create modern, close to urban housing conditions for rural residents.
Thanks to Islam Karimov's consistently conducted well
thought-out policy, the country's agricultural sector was fundamentally
reformed. The core of the agricultural sector consists from farmer economies
now. The grain independence of the country was achieved, which, along with the
stable supply of flour and bread to the population of the republic, made it
possible to solve the tasks of sustainable provision of the population's needs
in meat, milk and meat and milk products at the expense of their own
production.
In the first years of independence the new to the
modern Uzbekistan foundations of a market economy were laid. The mechanism of
market economic relations was launched with the creation of market
infrastructure institutes and the formation of a competitive environment.
Small and private businesses have an important place
in the national economy. Various privileges and preferences were established
for the private entrepreneurs, as well as their access to sources of raw
materials was assured.
Today Uzbekistan is demonstrating dynamic developments
in all spheres. In 25 years, the country had become a sustainable Nation, who
pays great attention to ensuring the security of its citizens and increasing
their material welfare and social protection, as well as access to various
types of services. The results of the reforms based on the Islam Karimov's
«Uzbek model» have repeatedly received high recognition from experts.
IvetaGrigule, chairman of the delegation of the European
Parliament for cooperation with Central Asian countries stated that knowing how
Uzbekistan onset its development more than 25 years ago and with what legacy
«the country was able to achieve almost impossible in the years of its
independence» [5].
The result of the large-scale reforms has been a multiple
increase of per capita income over the years of Independence during population
increased one and a half time. The appearance of cities and villages has radically
changed. A modern productive and non-productive infrastructure had emerged,
which had become an embodiment of the principles of the «Uzbek model» of
development, the ongoing reform policy for the benefit of the country, of each
person.
As a result, as Islam Karimov put it: «We not only
managed to achieve social and political stability in the country, but also to
get broad support, from the population, for the course of the reforms in the
country's renewal» [6].
A clear vision of the perspective and confidence in
the immeasurable strength of people gave him the right to formulate an
inspiring and mobilizing target thesis: «Uzbekistan is a state with a great
future». This position of the leader, naturally, influenced the psychological
climate in the country, had a decisive ascendancy on the formation of a new
worldview of people, it also had actively promoted the successful
implementation of large- scale reforms in all spheres of society.
A political climate encompassing a person's life and
activity, psychology and spirituality was taking a shape in the country. That,
in turn, determined the spiritual appearance, political legitimacy, social
stability, and legal stability of the humane society that was forming in Uzbekistan.
By completely abandoning the old dogmas and
stereotypes, the Islam Karimov's large-scale National Program for was developed
and implemented personnel education and training. In fact, there were drastic
reforms of education system based on the most up-to- date international
standards. It eventually became the main priority of State policy in Uzbekistan. The branches of
several leading European and Asian universities, such as the Westminster
University, the Singapore Institute of Management Development, and the
Polytechnic University of Turin, the Russian University of Oil and Gas, Moscow
State University, the Russian Economic University, South Korean Inha
University are successfully operating in the country.
Islam Karimov steered the work on the creation and
implementation of fundamentally new system of upbringing and education the
younger generation directly himself. That, in turn had radically changed the
way of thinking and outlook the youth of the Nation.
Millions of children, young men and women are receiving
a high-level education and training on new educational standards and curricula
based on universal and national values, allowing them to find their worthy
places in life, demonstrating the effectiveness of Uzbekistan's educational
system, as well as its competitiveness in the international arena.
Issues of protection of motherhood and childhood,
promotion of health, spiritual, moral and physical education of the younger
generation had great importance for Islam Karimov. Because of this policy the
State award - the Order of «SoghlomAvlodUchun» (For a Healthy Generation) was
constituted as well as the eponymous Charity Fund was established which became
the first non-governmental foundation in the history of independent Uzbekistan.
Moreover, the Government Program «Healthy Mother - Healthy Child» had been
also developed and adopted, whose key purpose was aimed to improve the Maternal
and Child Care in the country.
Eventually the international community acknowledged
these efforts. The high efficiency of systemic state policy in public
healthcare is proved by the fact that today an equal access to highly
qualified medical services is ensured to all residents of Uzbekistan. A
fundamentally new system of state-guaranteed free emergency medical care and
the network of specialized clinical research medical centers had been
established. Multidisciplinary, medical, prenatal and screening centers are
operating in all regions of the country. The work of health care establishments
is based on advanced technologies of diseases prevention, diagnostics and
treatment that meet WHO standards.
Over the years of Independence, the rate of maternal
and infant mortality in the country dropped more than three-fold. General
health indicators of the population are increasing, including ones among
children and the youth, which is especially important. The quality of life and
the people's health improved. The average life expectancy of men increased
from 66 to 73.5 years, and up to 76 years among women.
4. Conclusion
Thus, the main criterion of all reforms in the country
defined by the President Islam Karimov as «Reforms are not for the sake of
reforms, but for the people», had manifested itself in practice. Representatives
of all nationalities in Uzbekistan without exception have absolutely equal
rights guaranteed by Law. Islam Karimov steadily pursued the goal of ensuring
equality for all citizens, regardless of their nationality, race, social
origin, education, profession and religious confessions.
Clearly and consistently implemented Islam Karimov's
principle «Uzbekistan is our common home» contributes to the preservation of
peace and interethnic harmony.
Today, representatives of over 130 nations and nationalities
live in peace and friendship in Uzbekistan. They enjoy all opportunities for
the development of their national culture, language, folk crafts, traditions
and customs. In Uzbekistan lessons within school and university Curriculums are
taught in seven languages - Uzbek, Karakalpak, Russian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik
and Turkmen. Newspapers, magazines, books are being published, and television
and radio programs are being broadcasted in several languages. There are about
140 republic-wide and regional national cultural centers. Such cultural and
ethnic diversity is considered as an integral part of the country's life,
which forms a unique and rich palette of society.
Peace and harmony in the country, interethnic and
civil accord, unity and solidarity of the people of Uzbekistan are its
invaluable asset, the principal achievements of independence, and the most
important factor of stability in society. Uzbekistan's positive experience in
strengthening interethnic relations is being studied in many countries.
Islam Karimov had raised to the level of State policy
respect for the spiritual values of our people as well as preservation and
development of our sacred religion, traditions, customs and invaluable
historical heritage. The
President had initiated the process of spiritual revival
of our Nation, strengthening its self-consciousness, recovery its historical
memory, careful preservation of its enormous scientific and cultural potential,
which now are nourishing the modern development of Uzbekistan.
Thanks to Islam Karimov'sefforts the names of outstanding
statesmen, scientists, scholars, philosophers, poets and enlighteners who had
lived and worked on this land were revived. Their great legacy made up the
unique phenomenon now well known as «Oriental Renaissances Islam Karimov's
innovative power can be formulated as following: he decisively and wisely
guided the process of the country's transition from one system to another. He
firmly implemented reforms in all spheres of society being sure of the
correctness of the chosen path.
Entire life of the First President of the Republic of
Uzbekistan proved that he was a great son of Uzbek people, who devoted his
entire life and fully dedicated himself to the service of the Motherland.
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