Ben Laden To Finance Uzbek Terrorists

Notorious international terrorist Usama Ben Laden allocated about $20 million to train rebels of the Islamic movement in Uzbekistan, Boris Mylnikov, the head of the Counter-Terrorism Centre of the CIS member-states, told RIA Novosti news agency. Military officials say the movement numbers about 4,000 militants, 350 Chechens among them. According to the latest update, the main part of the rebels' army is located in Afghanistan but some groupings remain in Kirghizia and Uzbekistan for the winter. Mylnikov believes Central Asia is likely to be a possible region for further terrorist diversions. According to him, rebels plan to start combat actions after mountain passes will be open.