Russian Minister Against Probe Into Uzbek Violence

9 June 2005 -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said today his country would not support calls for an international investigation into the violence in Uzbekistan's eastern city of Andijon last month

He said any investigation into the Andijon violence should be conducted by prosecutors and other authorities in Uzbekistan.

Uzbek troops opened fire on protesters on 13 May. The Uzbek government says 173 people were killed but international rights groups and local opposition political parties say the number could be as high as 1,000.

(AP)