UZBEKISTAN….

President Islam Karimov survived an assassination attempt which killed at least fourteen persons and injured over a hundred. Six car bombs exploded February 16 in Tashkent in an attack apparently timed to coincide with a cabinet meeting which was delayed. Karimov, a former Soviet leader who now stresses independence from Russia, blamed the attack on agents of unspecified opponents of independence who he said operate from outside the country’s borders. He also lashed out at Islamic fundamentalism, as he has often done. Authorities have announced the arrest of five persons in connection with the attack, but their identities and affiliations have not been disclosed.