The Uzbek government is seeking to tighten control over international human rights and democracy organizations out of fear that some are promoting a Georgian-style revolution, officials with the groups say. Authorities have adopted a new requirement for international groups to register with the Justice Ministry by March 1. The organizations previously registered only with the Foreign Ministry. U.S. diplomats, fearing that some groups may be denied registration and driven from the country, have threatened sanctions if the new policy is not reversed, a Western official said on condition of anonymity. The Americans argue that the new requirement violates a 1994 bilateral agreement concerning groups supported by the U.S. government in Uzbekistan. The targeted organizations — including George Soros\' Open Society Institute and the U.S. government-backed National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute — worked with Georgian opposition groups before President Eduard Shevardnadze\'s ouster in November following weeks of opposition protests. The institutes have temporarily halted work with Uzbek opposition parties pending resolution of the situation. Following the events in Georgia, the Uzbek government \"realized the presence of international organizations could be an undermining presence from within — working with young people and changing their minds,\" said Alisher Ilkhamov, who heads the Open Society Institute in Uzbekistan. During a discussion of the new registration procedure, at least one U.S. government-funded organization was accused by an Uzbek official of interfering with the country\'s domestic politics and teaching opposition groups to follow the Georgian example, the Western official said. The group denied the claims. Uzbek Foreign Ministry spokesman Ilkhom Zakirov said the registration was a procedural matter that would not prevent any groups from working. He denied Uzbek authorities were concerned that Georgian events could be replayed here. But organizations are worried about the Justice Ministry, which is less accustomed to dealing with international organizations. Ilkhamov said the new procedure allows any other ministry to veto a group\'s registration. (AP)