U.S. Assistance to Uzbekistan – Fiscal Year 2006

Over the last year U.S. assistance programs in Uzbekistan have undergone significant changes as a result of increasing governmental interference and heightened U.S. – Uzbek tensions. Assistance projects seek to directly serve the people of Uzbekistan and to reduce or eliminate support for the current Government of Uzbekistan. Assistance funds do not provide financial support to the Government of Uzbekistan.

As of the date of this Fact Sheet, the Secretary of State has not made a determination on whether the Government of Uzbekistan has made progress toward democratic and economic reform, as required for assistance to the central Government of Uzbekistan under section 586 of the Fiscal Year 2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act

The estimated $20.02 million budgeted by all U.S. Government agencies for assistance programs in Uzbekistan in Fiscal Year 2006 is allocated roughly as follows based on information available as of the date of this Fact Sheet:

Democracy programs in Uzbekistan focus on strengthening civil society, and supporting human rights, including religious freedom, in an increasingly restrictive and difficult environment. The program protects human rights through training and discussions between officials of the Government of Uzbekistan and community leaders on local human rights issues. U.S. Government assistance seeks to improve citizen participation and governmental transparency through community development initiatives, housing associations, and civic advocacy projects. Community development programs mobilize stakeholders to increase citizen participation and improve social conditions through small-scale infrastructure projects such as rehabilitating schools or irrigation canals. Anti-trafficking in persons programs focus on public awareness, and identification and protection of victims.

Training and exchange programs reach out to the next generation of Uzbek leaders and give them first-hand experience with the day-to-day functioning of a market-based, democratic system. Last year, the U.S. Government sent over 310 Uzbek citizens to the U.S. on academic and professional exchange programs. Since 1993, the U.S. Government has funded the travel of over 3,476 Uzbek citizens to the United States on these programs. The U.S. Government also promotes access to information through programs like the Internet Access and Training Program.

The U.S. Government provides critical guidance for Uzbekistan 's new model of healthcare delivery to improve access to care and quality of primary health care nationwide. A maternal-child health program raises community awareness and trains medical workers to assure healthy families and reduce complications of pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood disease. Infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control programs work to stem the spread of HIV, tuberculosis, and other dangerous infections. At the same time, American epidemiologists are helping to improve clinical laboratory performance and introducing evidence-based medicine into medical education and clinical practice. In addition, outreach programs to young people and groups at high risk of drug addiction spread knowledge about risky behaviors and positive lifestyle choices.

Market reform assistance focuses on small and medium enterprise (SMEs) development, increasing access to business information and financial advisory services, and supporting the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards through a Russian-language accounting training and certification program. In addition, U.S. assistance funds the development of microfinance credit unions, and promotes agribusiness.

Security and nonproliferation assistance continues to focus on supporting military reform, improving Uzbekistan 's counter-proliferation capabilities, promoting regional cooperation, and improving border security to help stop the flow of illegal narcotics, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and other illicit items through Uzbekistan . However, funding for two components of security assistance, Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET), was cut for 2004, due to Uzbekistan 's failure to meet its framework commitments on human rights and democratization. The Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program works to strengthen export licensing regimes and donation of border related detection equipment. The U.S. Government also funds programs to secure biological pathogens and to conduct joint research and disease surveillance activities with biological and chemical scientists. The U.S. continues to support the multilateral Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU) which engages Uzbek scientists in transparent, sustainable, cooperative civilian research projects. The U.S. also provides assistance to the Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF).and funds the Department of Energy to help secure radioactive materials.

Law enforcement assistance programs seek to introduce Western methods and standards for criminal investigations and prosecutions and strengthen counter-narcotics capabilities. Other assistance includes a bilateral judicial exchange project that facilitates discussions with U.S. expert counterparts, creation of border liaison offices to foster cooperation with neighboring countries (implemented through the UNODC), bomb laboratory assistance, and provision of counter-narcotics basic detection equipment.

U.S. funded humanitarian programs in Uzbekistan seek to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable in Uzbek society. In FY 2006, the U.S funded humanitarian commodity distribution program provided over $23.3 million in medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies, school supplies, emergency shelter items, food, and clothing to remote and forgotten individuals, families, and institutions in need. The Department of State also undertakes small scale reconstruction projects to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable institutionalized persons.