UZBEKISTAN – FOREIGN SECRETARY CONDEMNS VIOLENCE

Following the escalation of violence in Uzbekistan, the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw said:

'I am extremely concerned by reports that Uzbek troops opened fire on demonstrators in Andizhan. I totally condemn these actions and I urge the Uzbek authorities to show restraint in dealing with the situation and look for a way to resolve it peacefully.

'Staff from the British Embassy in Tashkent have visited the region, reporting what they can of the situation, but much remains unclear both about what happened in Andizhan and about how the situation arose.

'The UK has consistently made clear to the authorities in Uzbekistan that the repression of dissent and discontent is wrong and they urgently need to deal with patent failings in respect of human and civil rights.

'This approach is shared by our partners in the European Union. As we approach the UK's presidency of the EU we will use the collective weight of the EU to put across this argument to the Uzbek authorities to address shortcomings in economic and political governance and inadequacies in the development of democratic institutions.'

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