an Uzbek responds

as an Uzbek citizen, I strongly object to the highly offensive and inaccurate description of my country in the travel article "Uzbek low tech," by Doug Fine. Why did you publish such a self-pitying, self-centered and entirely subjective article about some of the downsides of what anyone can see is a beautiful country? And with such inflammatory, prejudiced and anti-ethnic language: "It was apparently (I hoped) a drunken policeman spraying single-action rifle fire at pigeons along the phone line in the courtyard," "The principle function of the telephone system in Uzbekistan is to serve as a bird habitat" and "If you don't mind sharing a line with another set of talkers -- who always seem to be engaged in a screaming match."

Surely the reason we travel is to broaden our minds, to see new sights and have new experiences. If Mr. Fine is dismayed by the telephone booths in my country, perhaps he should have a closer look at his own inner-city facilities. He should also remember that we are recovering from more than 70 years of Soviet occupation and not everything is quite as it should be for the discerning traveler. What do you expect from a 5-year-old state, Mr. Fine?

Of course, even the most developed countries have negative sides -- as some British, Canadian and German tourists to Florida have discovered at the cost of their lives. You will find no such drive-by shootings or murderous attacks in Uzbekistan.

What can Uzbekistan offer for the true traveler? Really great hospitality of a friendly people, beautiful nature, mountains, unpolluted rivers, tasty food, historical cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, where Tamerlane, Ghengis Khan and Avicenna once lived, a lively culture of dance and music, lively politics and a protective police force, not the one so disparaged by Mr. Fine. Of course, there are some inconveniences, but this is why we travel, isn't it, for the adventure? If Mr. Fine doesn't want to meet adversities, he should stay at home and watch "Lonely Planet" on his TV.

Give us some time, give us a chance, and you will see. I believe in the high spirits of the hard-working Uzbek nation. Everybody learns by their mistakes. We young Uzbeks, who are studying both abroad and at home, are determined to help build up our country.

I think that presenting such an inaccurate description is bad not only for my country, but also for your magazine, which I hope is interested in the Truth and not just some poor writer's intolerant gut reaction to different people and surroundings.

Ibrat A. Jumabayev