Osh/Brussels, 18 February 2003: A report from the International
Crisis Group (ICG) published today calls on the United States, European Union, European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and other international donors to take a much tougher,
critical approach with the Uzbek government on political and economic reform.
In particular, the EBRD's annual meeting, to be held in Tashkent
in May, should be used to sharpen demands for reform and spotlight the failings
of the regime, especially to the local population. If the meeting goes ahead,
the Bank should insist that an independent production team films the conference
and that the program, with independent translation, is shown on national
television.
Uzbekistan's Reform Program: Illusion or Reality?* says the country remains a dictatorship,
elections are entirely under executive control, there is no legal opposition
and at least 7,000 people are in prison for religious or political beliefs.
Torture and brutality are commonplace in police custody and in prisons. The
economy is still dominated by the state and a small elite manages key export
sectors, ensuring personal enrichment in the process. The private sector is
strangled by an uncooperative bureaucracy and corruption. Poverty and
disillusion, particularly among young people, are feeding discontent and
extremism.
ICG Asia Program Director Robert Templer said:
"Western embassies and governments are increasingly critical of the
'positive engagement' approach to Uzbekistan. With the U.S. need for
a strategic partner fading, there is little to lose in taking a much
tougher stance with President Karimov's government."
Since the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, Uzbekistan
has had a special relationship with the United States. A U.S. base was
established to support the war in Afghanistan and a far-reaching Agreement
on Strategic Partnership was signed in March 2002.
That agreement, which was not published after it was signed and is still not
available on U.S. government websites, commits Uzbekistan to a multi-party
system, free and fair elections, media freedom and human rights. None has been
implemented and in January 2002 a rigged referendum extended President Islam
Karimov's term by two years.
International financial institutions also offered major
incentives to Tashkent, but the government failed to achieve basic
commitments made in an agreement with the IMF on agricultural, banking,
currency and other economic reforms.
ICG Central Asia Project Director David Lewis said:
"The political system in Uzbekistan is dominated by vested interests at
all levels that have a considerable investment in retaining the status quo.
Western officials have also tended to take President Karimov’s pro-reform rhetoric
at face value. But Uzbekistan's future is bleak, and the risk of instability rises,
unless serious political and economic reforms are implemented."
MEDIA CONTACTS
Katy Cronin (London) +44.20.86.82.93.51
email: [email protected]
Francesca Lawe-Davies (Brussels) +32-(0)2-536.00.65
Jennifer Leonard (Washington) +1-202-785 1601
*Read the full ICG report on our website:
www.crisisweb.org
