Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, sent a message to President Islom Karimov of Uzbekistan inviting him to take part in the International Conference to Combat Terrorism, to be hosted by the Kingdom on the 5th of February 2005. The message was delivered to Uzbekistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sodiq Safoyev by Saudi Charge d'Affaires in Tashkent Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Abanammi. Later, the Uzbekistani president welcomed the invitation, extending his appreciation for the political leverage and international prestige of the Kingdom, particularly in the hearts of Muslims all over the world. Karimov visions the conference as an important step in the right direction to fight international terrorism and work to dry up its sources. The president confirmed that he would attend the event.
