Uzbekistan denies restrictions on U.S. air base retaliation for criticism

[struggle4progress]

Updated at 19:11 on June 18, 2005, EST.

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AP) - Uzbekistan denied Saturday restrictions on a U.S. base are in retaliation for criticism of the government's response to last month's uprising in the Uzbek city Andijan.

The Pentagon said Wednesday that Uzbekistan has stopped allowing U.S. nighttime flights from its air base at Karshi-Khanabad, which its forces use to support operations and supply neighbouring Afghanistan. <snip>

Uzbek authorities said 176 people died in the May 13 uprising and deny they opened fire on unarmed civilians. Rights advocates said up to 750 people, mostly unarmed civilians, were killed when troops opened fire on anti-government protesters. <snip>

The ministry statement also seemed to hint the United States was behind the Andijan disturbances because of the restrictions on flights at the base. <snip>

http://www3.cjad.com/content/cp_article.asp?id=/global_feeds/CanadianPress/WorldNews/w061857A.htm

[stillcool]

1. Boy they really keep wondering.....

don't they? I told the hubby I would only be here for a few minutes.....

A statement from the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said the restrictions were imposed three months before the suppression of the rioting in Andijan "for the reasons that the American side is well aware of," <snip>



"Following the logic of the American mass media, the conclusion should be that the events in Andijan was a consequence of - not a reason for - Uzbekistan's decision to restrict the American military flights," the statement said <snip>

[struggle4progress]

2. Welcome to the CIA's Mirror Puzzle. eom