Uzbekistan Blames Kyrgyz Soldiers For Border Incident
Uzbek-Kyrgyz border crossing (file photo) (AFP)
A pro-government website in Tashkent quoted an official with the Uzbek military prosecutor's office as saying the incident took place on June 1 in the eastern Namangan region. The official said four Kyrgyz border guards illegally entered the country and that one of them shot a 26-year-old villager. He said authorities have opened a criminal investigation.
There was no official official reaction from Kyrgyzstan.
The 1,300-kilometer border that separates the two countries has been a source of many disputes and incidents.
Uzbek state-run media recently blamed Kyrgyzstan for allegedly closing a number of border checkpoints in violation of existing bilateral agreements.
Meanwhile, reports say officials from both countries are expected to hold border delineation talks on June 9 in Namangan.
(press-uz.info, NTS)
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 MediaPart Two (60 minutes):Real Audio Windows MediaThe 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.