ISLAMIC MOVEMENT OF UZBEKISTAN CONTROLS DRUG TRAFFIC TO CENTRAL ASIA

BISHKEK. According to Kirghiz secret services, channels for
trafficking drugs from Afghanistan to Central Asian countries are
currently controlled by gunmen of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
(IMU).

The above has been revealed by Bolot Dzhanuzakov, head of the
National Security Service of Kirghizia, in an interview the Slovo
Kyrgyzstana newspaper carried Tuesday.

Dzhanuzakov said that gunmen led by the IMU's Dzhuma Namangani
control the northern section of the drug traffic from Afghanistan. He
noted that, apart from being drug traffickers, they also sell drugs
in Kirghizia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

The National Security Service chief believes that 'the main task of
the international terrorists is to keep the drug traffic going, as
the drug business has been and remains the main source of finance for
international terrorism. Dzhanuzakov recalled that Afghanistan is a
leader of illicit drug trade, accounting for two-thirds of the
world's narcotics output. Dzhanuzakov also declared that there
remains the possibility of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan's
gunmen invading Kirghizia. 'We are ready to repel a possible
invasion, and we possess reliable information on the number, plans
and whereabouts of the gunmen,=ED said Dzhanuzakov. He added that
Afghanistan remains the seat of bandit units.

In 1999 and 2000, the Kirghiz army conducted lengthy military
operations against the gunmen of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan
as they had invaded southern Kirghizia from Tajikistan.