central asia

central asiaSec. 568. (a) Funds appropriated by this Act may be made available for assistance for the central Government of Uzbekistan only if the Secretary of State determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations that the Government of Uzbekistan is making substantial and continuing progress in meeting its commitments under the “Declaration on the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Framework Between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United States of America”, including respect for human rights, establishing a genuine multi-party system, and ensuring free and fair elections, freedom of expression, and the independence of the media.(b) Funds appropriated by this Act may be made available for assistance for the Government of Kazakhstan only if the Secretary of State determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations that the Government of Kazakhstan has made significant improvements in the protection of human rights during the preceding 6-month period.(c) The Secretary of State may waive the requirements under subsection (b) if he determines and reports to the Committees on Appropriations that such a waiver is in the national security interests of the United States.(d) Not later than October 1, 2004, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives describing the following:(1) The defense articles, defense services, and financial assistance provided by the United States to the countries of Central Asia during the 6-month period ending 30 days prior to submission of such report.(2) The use during such period of defense articles, defense services, and financial assistance provided by the United States by units of the armed forces, border guards, or other security forces of such countries.(e) For purposes of this section, the term “countries of Central Asia” means Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.118 STAT. 197