EU Diplomats Discuss Sanctions With Uzbek Officials

The number killed in Andijon in May 2005 is considered by most observers to be much higher than the government's figures (epa) April 2, 2007 -- EU diplomats are in Uzbekistan today for talks about sanctions imposed on the country after the violent supression of a 2005 uprising.

The German Embassy in Tashkent, speaking for the European Union's current German presidency, confirmed that talks were taking place today. No further details have been provided.

Brussels is due to decide in May whether to continue EU sanctions imposed after the Uzbek Army's violent crackdown in the eastern Uzbek city of Andijon. The EU has called for an independent inquiry in exchange for lifting sanctions.

(AFP)

Andijon Anniversary Conference

Violence in Andijon, Uzbekistan, on May 14, 2005 (epa)

TALKING ABOUT ANDIJON: On May 9, 2006, RFE/RL, the National Endowment for Democracy, and U.S.-based human rights organizations cohosted a conference on the May 2005 events in Andijon and their aftermath in Uzbekistan and throughout the region. The first panel featured Andijon eyewitness GALIMA BUKHARBAEVA, National Endowment for Democracy Fellow NOZIMA KAMALOVA, RFE/RL Central Asia analyst DANIEL KIMMAGE, and others. The second panel featured presentations by U.S. Senator JOHN MCCAIN and U.S. Congressman CHRISTOPHER SMITH, who used the forum to announce they had introduced legislation calling for sanctions and other measures against the government of President Islam Karimov.

LISTEN

Listen to the Andijon conference.
Part One (70 minutes):
Real Audio Windows Media
Part Two (60 minutes):

Real Audio Windows Media
The Uzbek government's response:

Real Audio Windows Media

THE COMPLETE STORY: A dedicated webpage bringing together all of RFE/RL's coverage of the events in Andijon, Uzbekistan, in May 2005 and their continuing repercussions.

CHRONOLOGY

For an annotated timeline of the Andijon events and their repercussions, click here.