The leader of the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, is warning the West not to try to foment revolution in his country.
In an address to parliament in Tashkent on Friday, Mr. Karimov said he has enough power to crush any groups who violate Uzbek law.
Mr. Karimov specifically warned against using the political upheavals in Georgia and Ukraine as a model for Uzbekistan and neighboring Kyrgyzstan. The revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine brought pro-Western leaders to power.
Uzbekistan has long drawn international criticism for its lack of democratic reforms and a poor human rights record.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
