Islamic fundamentalists challenge Moscow

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Afghan-based Islamic guerrillas are threatening to de-stabilize the vast, oil-rich region of Central Asia -- once an important element of the former Soviet Union -- according to official Russian sources.

The guerrillas are seeking to "break deep into the Central Asian republics," and appear to be awaiting additional forces "to carry out large-scale operations," according to the Voice of Russia World Service, the official broadcasting service of the Russian government.

The responsibility for the guerrilla activity, Moscow claims, belongs to Afghanistan.

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"According to the latest information, nearly 2,000 well-armed militants have amassed in Afghanistan," said the official report, which added that the Taliban government of Afghanistan has "turned [its] country into a hotbed of international terrorism."

The Russian government is expecting the situation in the region to deteriorate further. Citing a statement from the National Security Ministry of the Central Asian state of Uzbekistan, Moscow believes that "Islamic fanatics are apparently expecting reinforcements from Afghanistan in order to carry out large-scale operations in all directions."

The Islamic militants do not recognize any existing borders in the region, and are reported to be organizing along the nearly 200-mile-long Fergana Valley, which stretches through the Central Asian republics of Kirgizia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The main Islamic group, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, appears likely to continue its current offensive into Kazakhstan, the largest of the Central Asian republics.

Reports indicate that the Islamic rebels are taking advantage of an element of popular discontent with the secular governments and are finding that young recruits are available in the region. The rebels' ultimate goal is to link up with other Islamic groups in the Caucasus region, especially in Chechnya, and form an Islamic nation stretching from China on the east to the Black Sea on the west.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, less than two weeks ago, reaffirmed Moscow's determination to defeat the rebel forces. Putin confirmed "Russia's preparedness for concerted action" in cooperation with the Central Asian states under attack.

In addition to its vast oil and other mineral reserves, Central Asia is also seen as playing an increasingly important role in linking Europe with China and the rest of the Far East.

Central Asia had occupied a similar role for many centuries as part of the "great Silk Road" connecting Europe and China, while the cities in the region grew wealthy in the role of middlemen.

In April, Russia suggested the establishment of a unified transport network from Europe to China through Central Asia. Moscow claims using such a land route would reduce by half the current cost of transporting goods by sea.

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The European Union in March designated $88 million for a link similar to that advocated by Russia. The EU claims that its route, which would go through the Caucasus region, would reduce the transportation distance from Europe to China by some 700 miles.

NATO has also sought involvement in Central Asia. In May, NATO Secretary-General George Robertson stated that Russia should work with NATO for peace in Central Asia. He also warned that Moscow alone is not able to counter Islamic extremism in the region.

In July, Robertson visited Central Asia and urged Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kirgizia to work closely with NATO in its fight against Islamic militants.

Moscow, on the other hand, claims that the presidents of Uzbekistan and Kirgizia have complained that over the past year their nations "did not get any concrete aid from ... NATO."