Hundreds Of Uzbeks Crossing Into Kyrgyzstan
The Ferghana Valley runs through Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan
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Prague, 14 May 2005 (RFE/RL) -- At least 1,000 people fleeing violence in Uzbekistan have already crossed into neighboring Kyrgyzstan.
Government troops in eastern Uzbekistan, meanwhile, are trying to reassert control over the restive city of Andijon.
Gulmira Borubaeva, a spokeswoman for the Kyrgyz border guards administration, told RFE/RL some refugees had forced their way into Kyrgyzstan's Nooken district:
"Near the village of Barash, in Nooken district, some 500 people have crossed onto the territory of Kyrgyzstan and they've been stopped by our border guards," she said. "We're now deciding whether we should expel them back to Uzbekistan."
Meanwhile, reports say another 600 fugitives have forced their way into Kyrgyzstan's Suzak district. Other groups of fugitives are trying to enter the country from the divided border town of Kara-suu, east of Andijon.
Authorities in Suzak say there are several injured among the fugitives and that they are receiving first aid medical treatment.
(RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service)