Uzbekistan - a new nest of radical islamists?

[fdt]

Our renowned "ally in war on terror" Islam Karimov has restored "law and order". Our military bases in Uzbekistan are safe. And now even those Uzbeks who were not supporting Islamist radicals so far may change their minds... :| We can congratulate ourselves... another wahhabit nest of wasps is born... thanks to our indifference.


'Dozens die' in Uzbekistan chaos

Thousands tried to flee the city centre as Uzbek troops moved in
Uzbek troops have regained control of the eastern city of Andijan after a day of violence that left dozens dead and injured, reports say.
Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov was said to have taken personal control of an operation to crush major protests in the city's main square.

Thousands gathered in central Andijan to call for better living conditions.

Nine died in early fighting, before troops opened fire on huge crowds and exchanged fire with armed protesters.

Tensions flared in Andijan on Thursday night when thousands of prisoners were freed from a city jail by a crowd angry at the imprisonment of 23 local men on charges of Islamic extremism.

Uzbek officials refused to negotiate with the protesters, who they branded as "rebels".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4544599.stm


http://www.world-crisis.com/images/uploads/bush_karimov_1.jpg
http://www.ilyapitalev.ru/niyaz1-1.jpg
http://www.quibla.net/phototurkmen/2___Karimov_Chirac.jpg
http://www.uzbekistan.de/de/2002/Images/E_DM20020510_a1.jpg

[Tim Nice But Dim]

It is a bad situation, one that has been repeated again and again throughout the last fifty or sixty years. The “west” has a problem, uses the principle of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” and ends up making the whole situation worse.

@ fdt

You seem knowledgeable on the region, would you be able to recommend me some English language books or reputable web pages about it.

[Igor01]

Just read on another blog from Andizhan that the riots were organized by the clan of the city mayor that was fired by Prezident Karimov a couple of weeks ago. The guy apparently went a little too far, people were disappearing, torture and other abuses (he menions burning people alive and sticking them into tamdyr - a type of clay oven) were common place. According to the poster the guy and his clan used the protests against opposition arrests to remind Karimov that they are still to be respected.

Dunno if this is true or BS.

Link (in Russian): http://www.livejournal.com/users/luybu/

[fdt]

In Kyrgyz/Uzbek border town Karasu inhabited by Uzbeks there are demonstrations supporting the Uzbek insurgents. Town is divided between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Riots have begun in Uzbek part. Insurgents have taken a local governor as hostage. Their compatriot Uzbeks from Kyrgyz part of town allegedly want to cross the Uzbek/Kyrgyz border.


В Карасу народное восстание. Хоким в заложниках
ИА Фергана.Ру, Соб. инф., 14.05.2005 12:26

Корреспондент Радио "Свобода" Юсупалиев сообщил по телефону в редакцию ИА "Фергана.Ру" с киргизско-узбекской границы. Он находится в районе города Карасу, разделенного границей пополам. Одна часть города находится на территории Узбекистана, другая - на территории Киргизии. До тысячи человек, граждан Узбекистана захватили в заложники хокима (губернатора) Карасу. В настоящее время повстанцы восстанавливают мост, ранее связывавший территории двух государств. С киргизской стороны их поддерживают несколько сотен местных жителей. Власти Киргизии и пограничники не вмешиваются в происходящие события.


Comment posted at ferghana.ru news site:


Muhsin, 14.05.2005

Is this fair? The government of Uzbekistan has slaughtered massive number of innocent citizen, and is continuing the brutal genocide against the poor civilians openly in public. The nation firmly wants the ouster of the Evil President Mr. Karimov, and the President is doing his utmost to keep his regime as Dictator and once more he has proved the nation that, he is not a true leader by ordering the troop to open fire against those starved kids, and women in Andijan. In local TV News has quoted that Bandits are threatening the State, if this statement is true let us be wise and see what people are undergoing through with economic depression, with no foods at home to feed the family, and most frequently families found their businesses being overtaken by the Authorities. We also know that the government tightly controls the local media, therefore an innocent citizen can easily become a culprit. Any, wise man could realize Who actually the Bandits are, The Government or Innocent Man who is requesting the respect of human rights? Do you really think it’s fair to deprive the citizens, whose human rights already violated, and they have no where to go?.

Newsfeed from ferghana.ru


Uzbek Troops Fire on Thousands at Andijan Rally


IWPR, Galima Bukharbaeva, 14.05.2005

Demonstration turns violent as Tashkent authorities send in soldiers to shoot at crowds.

By IWPR staff in Uzbekistan (RCA No. 376, 13-May-05)

Troops opened fire on thousands of demonstrators in the Uzbek city of Andijan on May13, bringing a bloody climax to protests sparked by a trial of local businessmen accused of being Islamic radicals.

As thousands of people including many women and children took part in a rally in the centre of the city, located in the east of the Fergana Valley, two columns of armoured cars moved in on the crowds and fired on civilians apparently indiscriminately.

IWPR’s country director Galima Bukharbaeva saw at least five blood-covered bodies lying on the ground, and many other people were injured.

Some protesters who had earlier seized Kalashnikovs and other weapons from a military base returned fire at the security forces

The crowd panicked and people ran in all directions to escape the gunfire.

There had been peaceful protests on May 10-11 outside a courtroom where 23 men were on trial on charges of being Islamic radicals – which they all deny.

But the situation suddenly escalated early overnight on May 12-13 when a group of their supporters raided a local military base and seized weapons. They then stormed the prison and freed the defendants along with all the other inmates.

Crowds appeared in central Andijan and broke into the regional government building. Reports said they also tried to capture the local office of the National Security Service, SNB, the successor to the KGB in Uzbekistan, but were repulsed.

When the troops moved in, IWPR contributors estimated there were 20,000 people gathered on the square outside the local government building.

Uzbekistan’s state-run and heavily controlled media remained tight-lipped, but shortly before the armoured vehicles went in, national TV put out a statement saying “there have been talks with the bandits all day, but they did not lead to anything. The criminals are using women and children as cover. There has not been a single death so far”.

Kabuljon Parpiev, one of the leaders of the protest, said before the assault that there were up to 50 people dead, as security forces ringing the city centre were firing shots from about one kilometre away. Other reports spoke of nine dead at this point.

The protesters had about 30 hostages – police, SNB officers and provocateurs. Rally organisers were maintaining order and people were building barricades.

Parpiev said he had spoken by phone with Uzbekistan interior minister, Zokir Almatov, asking him to secure the release of Akram Yuldashev, who is alleged to have provided the inspiration for the 23 accused (see separate story, Controversial Trial Triggered Uzbek Violence).

According to Parpiev, at first Almatov told him that he would try to get Yuldashev released, but in a subsequent phone call the minister took a tougher line, saying the judges in the case had refused the request, and that “the authorities will mount an assault on the rebels and take the city by force”.

Meanwhile, in the capital Tashkent, security guards at the Israeli embassy shot dead a man they believed was about to attack the mission.

It turned out the dead man was a homeless Russian, and the Uzbek prosecution service said its investigators had found “the man did not present any danger, as no explosives were found on him". An interior ministry spokeswoman added that the man had a record of mental illness, and that as he approached the embassy building he threatened to blow it up.

In July last year, two Uzbek police guarding the Israeli embassy died in a suicide bomb attack. There were two other such attacks at almost the same moment at the United States embassy and at the Uzbek prosecution service. All three assailants and four security guards, including the two officers at the Israeli mission, died.

This report was compiled from reports filed from Andijan by IWPR’s Uzbekistan project director Galima Bukharbaeva and from Tashkent by IWPR contributor Malik Boboev.


In russian from the same site:

Locals claim that there were many more victims of yesterdays clashes. City is in shock. People brought dead bodies to deserted city central square. There are no troops in sight. A new demonstration is mounting. In the bolded part a 21 yrs old guy says " These Akromists (islamic movement) are not bad guys. They are defending the nation. It's soldiers who are shooting at their own people... They (authorities) will say that they (insurgents) are terrorists and put all blame on them.


Андижанцы в шоке от действий властей. Говорят местные жители
ИА Фергана.Ру, Соб. инф., 14.05.2005 09:42

Жители Андижана снова выходят на улицу. Как передает собкор ИА «Фергана.Ру» Алексей Волосевич, один из немногих журналистов, работающих в городе, андижанцы, собирающиеся на площади перед зданием хокимията (областной администрации), выражают гневное возмущение расстрелом мирных жителей, который случился вчера вечером.

Из здания хокимията жители вынесли около десяти тел погибших. По всей видимости, это члены вооруженной группировки, удерживавшей здание до последних минут. Тела убитых мужчин лежат на земле, рядом с ними тела двух женщин и одного подростка.

Пока неизвестно, куда подевались вооруженные мятежники и солдаты. В центре города нет ни войск, ни повстанцев с оружием.

Многие горожане в шоке от событий. Одни просто молча стоят, опустив головы, никак не комментируя ситуацию. Другие возмущенно кричат, обвиняя правительство в многочисленных жертвах расстрела. «Меня удивляет, почему никого из администрации здесь не было?» - задается вопросом андижанец Урипхон Салиев.

Как рассказывают местные жители, в 6 вечера над площадью пролетел вертолет, который как бы произвел разведку. Затем сразу же к зданию хокимията подъехали несколько БМП или БТРов, которые без предупреждения открыли огонь по толпе народа перед зданием.

Многие местные жители поддерживают так называемых «акромистов», вооруженных мятежников. «Эти люди – они не плохие, они защищают народ, а солдаты стреляют без предупреждения. Военные в людей стреляют, всю вину на тех возложат, скажут – они террористы!» - восклицает житель Андижана Атабек , 21 год.

[fdt]

It is a bad situation, one that has been repeated again and again throughout the last fifty or sixty years. The “west” has a problem, uses the principle of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” and ends up making the whole situation worse.

@ fdt

You seem knowledgeable on the region, would you be able to recommend me some English language books or reputable web pages about it.Sorry I can't help You much. My knowledge on region is limited. My only assets ae: I can speak and read russian and I am interested in the region's issues... There is a lot of current materials on web to browse ...but in russian only...

English language coverage of the central asian affairs can only stupify You... unfortunately. There is no demand for news from central asia in the West so the supply is short and quality poor.

[Pille1234]

Our renowned "ally in war on terror" Islam Karimov has restored "law and order". Our military bases in Uzbekistan are safe. And now even those Uzbeks who were not supporting Islamist radicals so far may change their minds... :| We can congratulate ourselves... another wahhabit nest of wasps is born... thanks to our indifference.

If you have the wish to feel guilty for something, go ahead, blame us.
A dictator does, what dictator likes most: securing his power. Now how exactly is this 'our' blame? The Americans and the Gemans have military bases there, all they care is that those bases remain untouched. Does this translate into support for a dictator?
Isn't there a slight possibility that problems may arise around the world and 'we' neither initiated nor supported the problem? Oh wait, that's what you call indifference. We are aware of that and don't do something! Since doing something feels better than doing nothing it's our fault...

[joeserneem]

If you have the wish to feel guilty for something, go ahead, blame us.
A dictator does, what dictator likes most: securing his power. Now how exactly is this 'our' blame? The Americans and the Gemans have military bases there, all they care is that those bases remain untouched. Does this translate into support for a dictator?
Isn't there a slight possibility that problems may arise around the world and 'we' neither initiated nor supported the problem? Oh wait, that's what you call indifference. We are aware of that and don't do something! Since doing something feels better than doing nothing it's our fault...
support for a dictator?
-the ground on which the bases are located is being paid for
-small thing like electricity, food etc. will most likely be delivered by state sponsored companies
-excuse to get rid of alot of political prisoners

it's not 'our' fault that there is a dictator in uzbekistan but it is wrong to support a dictator.
But i don't really feel bad when i go to sleep at night... there are more countries with dictators that are sponsored by western countries (Kuwait for example).

[fdt]

But i don't really feel bad when i go to sleep at night... there are more countries with dictators that are sponsored by western countries.

That is what I am writing about...
Sleeping well may mean here a moral well being (it's not my fault, there always been dictators, I haven't created this monster - it has already been here, it's those peoples internal issue)...

This "moral side" may be a subject of opinion... but it's NOT an issue I wanted to refer to...

My point is that Uzbekistan ruled by dictator poses a "clear and present danger" to West... and nobody in West seems to realize that. It's exactly the same case as with Afghanistan. Back in 2000, if anyone would tell average CIA analyst or diplomat or State Secretary perhaps; that Afhganistan will be a place where a Pearl Harbor magnitude blow against US will be born... such a guy would rofl . OBL nor Taliban seemed to be a problem for West before 2001. Afghanistan was small, poor, insignificant and remote... Who would bother.

Now we have our beautiful bases in Uzbekistan, we have our friendly dictator who opresses his own nation. When the nation rises from opression... what we have for them? - the good ol' dictator... We did nothing to give them alternative that could be a different than radical islamists. We (in this case it includes Russia too) have no contacts with any non islamic opposition in Uzbekistan... Furthermore, we let our friend Karimov to slaughter and imprison it. People have no other alternative than Karimov or Islamists. Is it a good thing? Soon Karimov will start another wave of repressions, people will seek any help or support ... where will they go? Who is ready to help them? .... ISLAMISTS are rady and willing to give'em support. So soon Karimov may meet a stronger opposition, what will he do? He will ask West and perhaps Russia for help, bigger than current one... He will simply say "Me or Islamists" (situation he created with his actions). What choice will West have then? Will he deny him his military and financial help? Do You think that Karimov will use this money for benefit of his people or for weapons, new better torture equipment and more weapons? He may sit on his "throne" for many years to come, but the situation he created will backfire on...us.

Haven't we learned this lesson yet?

[Mr.K]

What danger? He doesn't have the WMDs or Oil, so what danger is he representing to the West? He even gave you bases for your air force.
The more strong regimes in central asia, the better, that's the mentality over there. Any attempt of democracy will lead to a creation of radical islamist groups who will terroirize the region while attempting to take the power.
Come on, even if you put a puppet like Karzai , you will still have probelms in the region.

[Skullknight]

What danger? He doesn't have the WMDs or Oil, so what danger is he representing to the West? He even gave you bases for your air force.
The more strong regimes in central asia, the better, that's the mentality over there. Any attempt of democracy will lead to a creation of radical islamist groups who will terroirize the region while attempting to take the power.
Come on, even if you put a puppet like Karzai , you will still have probelms in the region.
There is no way you are as blind-sided as you are posing to be. Dictatorships like him represent a threat to the West because the actions of this dictator will pour more fuel into the fire of radical islam. Already moderates who previously had no interest in supporting these Islamists are now divided. If you don't see that as a threat to the West then you truly don't understand the dynamics of global jihad.

[Mr.K]

so your solution? Give them orange/purple/rose flags , and put a puppet like Karzai?
They will hate the West even more.

[Charlie 356]

Okay, so far everyone has come to the conclusion that Uzbekistan is in a crappy situation, with a dictator on one hand and radical islamists on the other. The only primary involvement the US has in the country are its forward military bases. Out of curiosity, what do people think the US should be doing in this situation?

[fdt]

So situation unveils as planned by Karimov. Someone has even advised him not to mention or speculate about civilians death toll... just not to enrage public opinion in West.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4547943.stm


Uzbek president blames Islamists

There have been wildly different estimates of the death toll
Uzbekistan's president has blamed Friday's unrest in the eastern city of Andijan on what he described as criminals and Islamic radicals.
President Islam Karimov was speaking for the first time since troops opened fire on demonstrators, killing many.

Thousands of protesters reappeared on the streets of Andijan on Saturday, despite the bloodshed.

About 6,000 people have fled to the border with Kyrgyzstan, sparking clashes with Uzbek police.

Kyrgyz sympathy

The Kyrgyz authorities have closed all border crossings, but officials say the Uzbeks are on the border - many in the large market town of Korasuv.

UZBEK TENSIONS

Most populous central Asian former Soviet republic, home to 26m people
Ruled since independence in 1991 by autocrat Islam Karimov
Accused by rights groups of serious human rights abuses, including torture

Several hundred have managed to enter Kyrgyzstan and others are trying to cross illegally.

The BBC's Ian MacWilliam in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, says the situation in Uzbekistan is drawing sympathy in Kyrgyzstan, where large protests brought down the government in March.

The Uzbek violence erupted after days of peaceful protest in Andijan, against the imprisonment of 23 local business leaders accused of Islamic extremism.

Mr Karimov has described what happened as an armed uprising, planned by Islamic militants linked to the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir movement, who wanted to overthrow the government.

He said the leaders of the uprising had been on the phone to Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan during the siege.

"Their aims are hatred and aversion to the secular path of development. These are unacceptable for us," he said.

Order to shoot

But the president denied giving the order for troops to shoot, saying that "no-one gave government forces the order to fire".
Mr Karimov said about 10 soldiers, and "many others", were killed, but made no mention of protesters being killed.

It is not clear how many died, some people said they had seen at least 200 bodies.

The government said it was back in control of the city on Saturday, but huge crowds were back on the streets, shouting "killers, murderers" and demanding the president step down.
"What kind of government is this?" one of the protesters said to the Associated Press. "People were raising their hands up in the air showing they were without arms but soldiers were still shooting at them."

On Saturday civilians dragged six bodies from an abandoned administrative building, placing them at the foot of a nearby monument to an Uzbek poet.

Witnesses said they had seen troops loading dozens of bodies onto trucks.

Hospital officials told the BBC that at least 50 had died and many more were wounded throughout the day.

Mr Karimov, an ally of both Washington and Moscow's war on terror, has taken a tough line on security since a spate of suicide bombings last year, blamed on Islamic extremists.

But critics say the president is using the threat of extremism as a cover to crush dissent.

[fdt]

Some folks opinions on the events... taken from:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4544441.stm

Pls note the marked ones, everyone for himself... Russians, Americans say better Karimov than islamists... Islamists from London say that Uzbek want to be ruled by Islam... People who lived in Uzbekistan say that it's shameless dictature that blames all opponents of being Islamic radicals... and finally Uzbeks say... help!


The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

I think it is time for freedom. They are not terrorists they just want freedom from Karimov. We need support from outside!
Ferhad, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Though it is true the life in Uzbekistan is hard, it will not help to have such protests to get better life. It will only make it harder to live, or lets say, to survive!
Anonymous, Andijan

Uzbek events are bad timing for freedom in neighbouring Kazakhstan. Here, proposed new laws will clamp down even further on media, civil society and opposition. But living standards in Kazakhstan are far higher than Uzbekistan. So a wiser course for the Kaz government is to drop its new laws and engage with its people - something Karimov has never done.
S Bennett, Almaty, Kazakhstan

This is a really good chance for Uzbekistan to be focused by the media of the world

Lyudmila, Uzbekistan
I lived in Uzbekistan for 28 years and this country has never been a democratic one. Today's incident has not been broadcasted (the government controls the media, everybody fears this government - I cannot even write my full name and I am using my foreign friend's email address). The government should be blamed instead of the Islamic extremists. People are demanding bread and jobs, there is a big difference between rich and poor. This is a really good chance for Uzbekistan to be focused by the media of the world and attract the international attention.
Lyudmila, Uzbekistan

I travelled around Uzbekistan last year and went to the Fergana Valley. There was a palpable feeling of higher tension due to the number of police on the streets and the number of roadblocks which aren't as numerous as in other parts of the country. The government is nothing more than a naked, old-fashioned dictatorship. The sayings of President Karimov are displayed on the streets, on road signs, on museums and on monuments. There is no room for dissent but this doesn't seem to hold the people back from really knowing how their government operates and wanting to taste an alternative. I feel the Uzbek people are becoming another coiled spring - ready to pounce up when the political pressure on them becomes too much. Islam is suppressed, political opposition is crushed, corruption is open and rife, the media is a joke and I fear something is going to have to give. If Karimov had any political know-how, he should engage and foster an opposition rather than trying to destroy it. The only winner would then be the Uzbek people.
Marc, Manchester

In fact every single person here needs tranquillity and peace. Those who have nothing to lose are easily provoked to anything spontaneous and undesirable by unethical means of interested individuals. This entails a chain reaction, mass delusion and madness of crowd. Unemployment, disrespect towards people and self-interest by Karimov and those surrounding him have lead to weakness, on-the-edge state of crowd. What we need is a normal democratic state with jobs and favourable conditions for working and living across the whole territory, not only in Tashkent. The West should come here and help try to correct the situation, otherwise all built and achieved here will ruin one moment and there will be much regret and sadness .
Timajon, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

We're a developing democracy, and we need some state control

Anonymous, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is the only pro-western country in central Asia. All of our neighbours have Russian military bases. These revolutionaries want an Islamic state, it's not that they're unhappy with Karimov, he is widely criticized, but never praised for the good things that he does. We're a developing democracy, and we need some state control. He is not a dictator, he's just old. In 2007 new elections will be held, and the Uzbek people will surpass all other central Asian states economically. God bless our people.
Anonymous, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

I used to live in Uzbekistan and I can say that there is not freedom and democracy there. President Karimov keeps the country behind closed curtains. I wish it was part of Russia or at least Karimov has to be changed. I spent a lot of years of living there and am very happy now because I don't live there anymore!
Mr X, Ireland

The government is taking the right measures to put down these people, many criminals and Islamists are amongst them. They want a government similar to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Karimov isn't a dictator, he is a good man, all presidents are criticized, but are they ever praised for the good things they do? Let's be grateful to god that this little revolt hasn't spread. People spread rumours about Karimov, look at Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, he will leave his daughter as president when he leaves, is this democracy? I pray that the innocent people will find peace, but the law-breakers are getting the punishment that they deserve. God bless the Uzbek people.
Jahongir, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

I am Uzbek living in USA. Events in Uzbekistan especially concern me, as my parents and relatives still live there. Before the fall of the Taliban and the arrival of US troops to Uzbekistan, Karimov easily justified his actions of appeasing peaceful demonstrations and putting people in jail as a fight against "Islamic terrorism". But now it is a lot harder, because the Taliban are gone, and US troops are in Uzbekistan. I hope all other cities in Uzbekistan pick up the peaceful demonstrations to show the world that people not only in Andijan want the new government and better changes.
Shuhrat, NY, USA

Falling Empire. After the fall of USSR the United States took over the Islamic republics of the former Soviet Union. People of the area expected to live in freedom and better economy. Now they find wars, terrible economy and domination of anti-Islamic foreigners, mostly from US and west. It is not a surprise
Jan

I just returned from a voyage to the ancient cities of Uzbekistan. Wonderful places, very friendly people! Yes, there is lack of freedom, yes there is widespread corruption and poverty, which makes Kazakhstan look like a democratic paradise with a lot better economic prospects (thousands of Uzbeks are crossing the northern border for a better life). With Islamic extremism being imported from the Arab countries and Turkey, I doubt that simple solutions and balanced judgements are possible. Creation of Islamic state is a real threat which should not be allowed! And for those who know little about the region, each country is very different from another with different history, traditions, mentality, way of life, economic conditions, level of democratic development and, most importantly, people!
Zhanibek Suleimenov, Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan

I know of no country in the world which would tolerate a massive prison breakout. The rest of Uzbekistan should be thankful that the military is stepping in and trying to control the situation.
Dwayne Chastain, West Jefferson, Ohio

Without the help nothing will change even if all inhabitants will rise. Tyrants remain tyrants till the grave. It is not a secret for anybody here in Uzbekistan. We only hope for better times. We need support from outside. We need help.
Shavkat, Uzbekistan

Russia will not and should not allow an Islamic state on its borders. I hope Russian president applies pressure and supports Karimov. A secular dictator is much better than an Islamic state for us, Russians, and for the world security in general.
Anton, Moscow, Russia

Uzbekistan does not need to become an Islamic state, just look at the example of other countries, they are ruled under dictatorship. Religion will not do good, the truth that sets everyone free will. I am glad that people stood up for themselves in this tyranny. I believe that one day Karimov and his government will answer before many for what he has been doing to his country and people. I hope that one day justice will prevail.
Aziza, Almaty, Kazakhstan

The time has come for the current regime to step down

Kunchilik Uzbakov, Karchilik, Uzbekistan
The time has come for the current regime to step down and let people choose a real leader that will hopefully be fair to its own people and ultimately himself. This guy is going to end up dead someday in a very unpleasant manner. You can't abuse the whole country and get away with it so easily.
Kunchilik Uzbakov, Karchilik, Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has human rights abuses for sure. They are no threat to the US and we have our hands full right now. Someone else will have to handle this one. Maybe the EU or UN could take care of this one.
Todd, Virginia, USA

I have recently lived in rural Uzbekistan for two years. To cast the unrest there as secular/dictator versus Islamic state is to play into the deceit of the Uzbek government. World Muslims might well not recognize Islam as it is practiced in Uzbekistan. By casting all Muslims, and all discontent, as extremism, the ruling elite can, at will, suppress people who want nothing more than gas in the winter to stay warm and their children to not miss school for two months of cotton picking every year.
Eric, London, UK

The West should do something by helping the Uzbek people rather than the government itself. Another revolution is possible if the Uzbek government does not do something about it. Oppression and human rights abuses are not features of democracy yet Bush is keeping quiet about it by closing one eye. Is this democracy by the people or democratic dictatorship?
Firdaus, Singapore

An Islamic state would be much better than the repressive dictatorship that exists there at present - which incidentally is supported by the guardians of freedom and democracy in the world - the US. The regime of Karimov is known to carry out human rights abuses. What will Bush do about this?
Shafiq, UK


The entire region is vulnerable - look at President Bush in Georgia - it is all about oil.
Janice G, Cambridge, UK

I was in Uzbekistan in 2000 to work for a relief organisation. Since my return I stayed in contact with Western relief workers who work directly with and among the local population since. Anti-government sentiments have been suppressed since a long time. Unfortunately, the government does not use its power for the benefit of the people. Since 9-11, the US and other Western governments seem to see the current leaders as their allies in the war against terrorism, although even non-religious people are being held in prison because the are 'extremists'. I can only hope that our eyes will be opened and a peaceful takeover will take place like in the former Soviet republic of Georgia.
M van Esterik, the Netherlands

This happened because you, "democratic" Western countries supported Islam Karimov. He knows that he can go to UK or USA and live there till his death without any punishment. This is you who keep the silence when you see thousands of innocently killed people!
Amir Abdulla, Almaty, Kazakhstan

President Bush entered to war with Iraq because he claimed Saddam with tyranny and wanted to bring freedom to Iraq. Where is Bush in Uzbekistan if he really cares about freedom and justice. Does being pro-American and doing things for US interests make it all of a sudden Okay? Where is freedom and Justice in Uzbekistan? Why has Bush not done and said anything about it for years?
Mehmet, USA

I think what is going on in Uzbekistan highlights the hypocrisy of the West in its dealings with Muslim countries. The invasion of Iraq was justified after the event because we were told that a dictator had been overthrown. But we are very good friends with a much worse dictator in Uzbekistan.
Bilal Patel, London, UK

The international community should support the Uzbek people, as they did in the case of Georgia and Ukraine, to achieve their democratic rights. The world should not abandon Uzbeks by ignoring the brutal human rights violations they suffered for decades from a brutal regime.
Shamsuddin, Trissur, India


Some comments here are talking about how "a secular dictatorship is better than an Islamic regime". This view is the dominant view in Western media. As we see, on this revolt people seek democracy and freedom for their Islamic society. They have the right to live in an equal and just society. People don't want more Western puppet dictators in the Middle East and in Asia anymore. The people will win and I support the Islamic revolution of the Uzbek people.
Bunyamin Esen, Istanbul, Turkey


I think the West should rethink its relationship with Uzbekistan

Bauyrzhan Meirmanov, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
I have many friends in Tashkent. In my point of view, the situation in Andijan is like that we saw in bordering Kyrgyzstan. The dictator president uses his power against his own people in order to ensure his power. The opposition in Uzbekistan has no opportunity to say a word. All the arrests are unfair and not democratic. I think the West should rethink its relationship with Uzbekistan.
Bauyrzhan Meirmanov, Shymkent, Kazakhstan

For a long time Islamic extremists have been attempting to overthrow Islam Karimov. Scores of suicide operations have been launched in Uzbekistan over the years by terrorists in order to overthrow Karimov. Even though Karimov is a dictator without him there will be great anarchy and the return of a primitive society. This is an attempt to overthrow Karimov.
Khaim Kalontar, Atlanta, GA, US

Uzbekistan is indeed ran by a secular dictator, but having him is better than having a fundamentalist Islamic regime. I hope that democracy will be established.
Laguan, London, UK

This is all happening at the instigation of Western powers who perceive Karimov as pro Moscow. This is one more facet of a 'Velvet' revolution being engineered not by indigenous people but by so-called custodians of democracy and liberal society. The international community's first responsibility should be to help the Uzbek government in containing this unrest and a speedy return to normalcy, instead of using it as propaganda to spread this unrest to unaffected areas within Uzbekistan.
Channabasaveshwara GS, Bangalore, India

I have friends in Uzbekistan. Much of the hatred towards the government there is because the people want to be ruled by Islam. The Uzbek leader has responded to this with force by locking up anyone who vocally opposes the current establishment is favour of Islamic rule. My friends there tell me that the presence of US forces has compounded the problem.
Imi Abdullah, London, UK

Karimov rounds up so-called "terrorists and Islamic extremists" because he gets financial aid from the US for taking a hard line. Uzbekistan does not have anything like a terrorist problem.
David Hayward, Basingstoke

My family live close to Andijan. I think the events were organised by a small group of people, most probably related to the group of convicts whose court case was going on in Andijan. The majority of the protesters poured in the streets have little to do with radical Islamists who probably triggered the events. The main cause of popular unrest is the economic and political homeland policy of the government. If Western powers don't get involved a horrible tragedy will happen. The current leadership wouldn't hesitate to spill the blood of thousands to remain in power. Here is the chance to bring the democracy to my country. Please do not demonise the protesters as Islamic radicals. The majority of them are ordinary people who strive for survival and want happiness.
Anonymous, Budapest, Hungary (originally Marghilon, Farghona province)

The main reason of this unrest is the dictatorially corrupted policies of the president Karimov's regime. Uzbekistan is characterized by steadily expanding economic stagnation, high level of unemployment, systematic human rights violations and repression of any political dissent including Muslim religious groups. God bless our brothers and sisters in Uzbekistan.
Anonymous, Uzbekistan

It is difficult to be diplomatic and express feelings in the correct way at that moment, but being Uzbek and leaving abroad I could only say "I wish I was there". I love my country but many Uzbeks like me had to leave the country for different reasons, it is unsafe politically and in common life and I was becoming desperate in the job hunt and family concerns. You do not have to be an Islamic extremist in order to be threatened by police in your daily life in Uzbekistan. That has to stop! We are desperate for freedom and cannot stand the permissiveness of the state and its officers anymore.
Ulugjan Abduraimov, Yelets, Russia

The Uzbek regime is nothing but an oppressive police state. I hope this is a popular uprising as we saw in Kyrgyzstan... just without any more bloodshed. The people of Uzbekistan deserve better than what their government has given them. Next should be Tajikistan.
Peter, Penjikent Tajikistan

I think people are utterly disgusted by government's actions, by groundlessly accusing its opposition of terrorism and jailing people unjustly. Another reason is obviously poverty and lack of freedom of speech.
Eshmat Toshmatov, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

This demonstration on the streets is due to the inefficient measures taken by the authorities, and the government has acted truly unprofessionally by denying its citizens their human rights. However, this tyranny and authoritarian government must come to end and this is the time for our people to come forth. We must fight for our freedom and bring justice to those culprits who have victimised thousands of innocent people. As the people of Uzbekistan, we assure to the world that there is no terrorists in the country, and this notion is been architected by the government in order to grab more budget from the US for their personal sake.
Abdullah Yoldoshev, Tashkent Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is my country but I moved to Canada 10 months ago. Life in Uzbekistan is very, very hard, hence I moved here with my mother. My father is in the states and he's trying to get refugee status, because he had a problem from the government and Islamic groups, they tried to frighten him and all our family. So for me it's really important to have freedom in Uzbekistan, I don't want to see my children there. I think the people can't suffer any more.
Timur, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

I have just received the horrible news but I hope my family will be safe and that this protest will be successful and make the country better that what it is at the moment. People run out of the jail because there are thousands of innocent people inside. I hope this situation will be more democratic in the very near future. And this is HOW it should be.
Alimov, Andijan, Uzbekistan