| Analysis & Facts
::: Analysis & Facts ::: |  |
May 14, 2005 #### KARIMOV, ALMATOV AND OTHER KEY OFFICIALS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR UZBEKISTAN MASSACRE Source: Editorial Uploaded/Updated: Uzbekistan's notorious president Islam Karimov said in a statement on the occasion of the events in Andijan that no one has ever issued an order for troops to open fire at protesters in Andijan and that the radical group Hizb-ut-Tahrir /Party of Liberation/ is responsible for the bloodshed, according to Russian news agencies. Karimov said that he personally has negotiated for the release of the policemen, held hostage by armed rebels in the building of the local administration. However, Kabuljon Parpiyev, one of the protest leaders who participated in negotiations procedures, didn't mention Uzbekistan cruel president among officials. He quoted Uzbek Interior Minister Zakir Almatov as saying "We don't care if 200, 300 or 400 people die. We have force and we will chuck you out of there anyway". 42-year-old Parpiyev said that Almatov initially agreed to negotiations and called him Friday morning to hear the protesters' demands but said later that the offer of talks was off. Today Russian news agencies with reference to Karimov's statement began spreading reports that Uzbek leader has never issued an order for troops to open fire at protesters. It is clear as noonday that nothing such occurs without direct order of Islam Karimov. However, Karimov's statement now obliges him to find and punish culprits among top police, security and military officials. To all appearance, Uzbek government after hearing the demands of the protestors decided to cut off the negotiations and use arms. There maybe were external factors that gave an assurance to Karimov to take such kind of 'prompt measures'. Russian anxiety over the situation and frequent remarks dropped by high-ranked Moscow officials show that the Kremlin was greatly interested in ultimate neutralization of the riot in northeastern Uzbekistan. News agencies reported that the rebels have appealed to the Russian president to interfere and mediate for them to avert further bloodshed; however, no response was voiced by Moscow in this regard. The United States' anxiety was more about members of terrorist organizations among freed inmates whom White House spokesman Scott McClellan blamed for events. The latter called for both sides to show restraint which was apparently directed to protesters. No official criticism was leveled against Uzbek government so far. It's the second time for the last month when the official Washington kept silent on repressive measures of Uzbek authorities. Early this month Uzbekistan police harshly attacked tens of people picketing in front of the US Embassy in Tashkent where women and babies were severely beaten in broad daylight. The hypocritical attitude to the situation in Uzbekistan may also be in favour of the country's prostitute leadership since Karimov try to make use of such behavior of "Old Big Brother" and "New Ally Uncle". Meanwhile, Hizbut Tahrir Britain issued its official comment on the events where they blamed Uzbek dictator for the Andijan unrest. "The blame for today's unrest in Uzbekistan lies squarely with the desperate Karimov regime whose repression of Uzbekistan's Muslims knows no bounds or limits. In recent weeks and months, the Uzbek regime has continued its brutal campaign of raids, arrests, intimidation, torture, imprisonment and murder against all those who dare to speak out about its corruption, tyranny and unjust practices." Read also: Expendable or vital in the 'war on terror'? Kyrgyzstan revolt unlikely to spark domino effect: Ex-Uzbek ambassador US handling of terror suspects questioned Our man in Blackburn (II) Our man in Blackburn (I)
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