Uzbekistan - On the brink, staring into the abyss.

chrono · 16th May 2005, 10:12 PM

Yeah, didn't take a psychic to predict that this kinda thing was gonna happen eventually, especially considering the recent events in Kyrgystan. Whether any uprising passes off as peacefully is now doubtful, I can't see the regime in Uzbekistan giving up as quietly. There are claims the recent bloodshed is the worst act of state-sponsered killings since the massacre at Tiananmen Square in 1989.

And what timing... right after President Bush's bullshit visit to Georgia, praising the country's recently won democracy, while turning a blind eye to the brutal authoritarian regime a few hundred miles down the road. The recent events in Uzbekistan have been condemned by the US government, but in a rather tepid manner. What makes Belarus an "outpost of tyranny" and Uzbekistan a valuable ally? The answers are depressingly predictable.

kj · 16th May 2005, 10:23 PM

it should however be noted that Jack Straw has come out and condemned the killings in a much stronger manner than the US has done so far. the Americans have valuable military installations in Uzbek and the Uzbeks have been valuable allies so far so of course they are going to react to this news in a much more timid way that they would have had it been China or Iran or where ever they see a threat.

chrono · 16th May 2005, 10:40 PM

Yup this is true and there's also the matter of all that tasty central Asian oil. Yum!

It's just very galling that the United States government don't even attempt to hide the obvious hypocrisies at work here. If you're going to turn a blind eye or even support dictatorships in some countries, then please don't go around extolling the values of freedom and democracy in others. It's insane!

However, if the situation gets any worse in Uzbekistan then I have no idea what the response of the US will be. There's the potential for this to get really nasty.

Dave(crashdown) · 17th May 2005, 09:04 PM

you would have thought this would be something normally George Bush would be fighting for justice and freedom about.. ..mebbe he thinks...they have oil ..why should they have a society without a brutal government?can't win em all ... jeez

Rebelius · 17th May 2005, 09:17 PM

the US have air bases there.

Dad was working there lots last year and for most of april. He said it's not such a bad place, so long as you keep your head down and you're not a muslim militant. or something like that.

Dave(crashdown) · 17th May 2005, 09:25 PM

guess things are alot better wherever you are if you aren't a militant .. the shooting of the crowds though .. pretty awful .. peaceful protesters too

All_in_black · 17th May 2005, 09:25 PM

I know lots and lots about this. The former ambassador to Uzbekistan told me all about it.

Rebelius · 17th May 2005, 09:55 PM

my dad was there more recently than him

AlanG · 18th May 2005, 09:17 AM

aye I couldnt get along when Craig Murray was doing a talk here. I might email the guy who organised that visit and see if he'll be free again any time soon.

700 citizens murdered by a country that has an appalling human rights record yet the US supports, even now.

16th May 2005, 10:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
chrono Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dundee Posts: 1,140	Uzbekistan - On the brink, staring into the abyss. Yeah, didn't take a psychic to predict that this kinda thing was gonna happen eventually, especially considering the recent events in Kyrgystan. Whether any uprising passes off as peacefully is now doubtful, I can't see the regime in Uzbekistan giving up as quietly. There are claims the recent bloodshed is the worst act of state-sponsered killings since the massacre at Tiananmen Square in 1989. And what timing... right after President Bush's bullshit visit to Georgia, praising the country's recently won democracy, while turning a blind eye to the brutal authoritarian regime a few hundred miles down the road. The recent events in Uzbekistan have been condemned by the US government, but in a rather tepid manner. What makes Belarus an "outpost of tyranny" and Uzbekistan a valuable ally? The answers are depressingly predictable.

16th May 2005, 10:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
kj gimp Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 13,562 Band: A band of merry men	it should however be noted that Jack Straw has come out and condemned the killings in a much stronger manner than the US has done so far. the Americans have valuable military installations in Uzbek and the Uzbeks have been valuable allies so far so of course they are going to react to this news in a much more timid way that they would have had it been China or Iran or where ever they see a threat. __________________ This community cannot survive without your continued support. galleries \|\| links directory \|\| profiles \|\| wiki

18th May 2005, 09:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
AlanG ModSword +5 of Editing Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dundee Posts: 3,311	aye I couldnt get along when Craig Murray was doing a talk here. I might email the guy who organised that visit and see if he'll be free again any time soon. 700 citizens murdered by a country that has an appalling human rights record yet the US supports, even now. __________________ Ernie Ross - "I'm not a rent-a-quote MP" 10 Sep 04 Ernie Ross being a rent-a-quote MP 23 Jul 04

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16th May 2005, 10:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
chrono Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dundee Posts: 1,140	Yup this is true and there's also the matter of all that tasty central Asian oil. Yum! It's just very galling that the United States government don't even attempt to hide the obvious hypocrisies at work here. If you're going to turn a blind eye or even support dictatorships in some countries, then please don't go around extolling the values of freedom and democracy in others. It's insane! However, if the situation gets any worse in Uzbekistan then I have no idea what the response of the US will be. There's the potential for this to get really nasty.

17th May 2005, 09:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dave(crashdown) Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edzell Posts: 1,254	you would have thought this would be something normally George Bush would be fighting for justice and freedom about.. ..mebbe he thinks...they have oil ..why should they have a society without a brutal government?can't win em all ... jeez

17th May 2005, 09:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rebelius Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 7,147	the US have air bases there. Dad was working there lots last year and for most of april. He said it's not such a bad place, so long as you keep your head down and you're not a muslim militant. or something like that.

17th May 2005, 09:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dave(crashdown) Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Edzell Posts: 1,254	guess things are alot better wherever you are if you aren't a militant .. the shooting of the crowds though .. pretty awful .. peaceful protesters too

17th May 2005, 09:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
All_in_black Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kirriemuir Posts: 1,873	I know lots and lots about this. The former ambassador to Uzbekistan told me all about it.

17th May 2005, 09:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rebelius Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 7,147	my dad was there more recently than him