Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tashkent (Fides Service) -What really happened on May 13 in the town of Andijan in eastern Uzbekistan? Pending the international enquiry requested by the United Nations and the European Union we offer the following set of seven questions and answers in an attempt to shed light on the events. One thing appears certain, that religious differences were not at the root. Rather, the reason behind the unrest and ensuing tragedy would appear to be the people’s desperate economic situation, the conditions extreme poverty in which the ordinary citizens live in this country which is rich in resources of oil, gas, cotton.
1.Official information
Officials say that large group of armed persons broke into the military unit, attacking the resistance. These insurgents have stolen about 260 fire-arms. That armed crowd move to the prison, attacked guards and freed about 750 prisoners. Later these terrorists took about 10 police officers and several civilians as hostages. The next step was the takeover the mayor’s office and office of National security forces. Authorities, including president Islam Karimov, held the negotiations with criminals, but apparently these talks failed. The only thing left was the physical neutralization of insurgents. The operation took place in the evening of May 13. Authorities report about 10 killed police officers. Most terrorists were killed, other were arrested, but some were able to escape.
2.Witnesses
Dwellers of Andijan were shocked by police violence. Witnesses say that police and armed forces opened fire on non-armed civilians, including women and children. This was the governmental method of “calming the situation”. Witnesses report that more than 500 people were killed, thousand injured. Police was given “seek and destroy” order. Innocent people fled the main square of the city, afraid of being shot.
3.The reasons
Officials say that these events were carried out by some Islamic fundamentalist group, fighting against government. Local people are sure that the only reason behind this acts is poverty, corruption and poor economic situation. “We were only trying to get attention of the government to our situation. People are hungry, we’re not Muslim terrorists, but just people tired of poverty and tyranny of authorities» - said locals. Locals say that the only prisoners they have freed were the political ones accused of being contrary to the government. The criminals were not freed.
4. Media coverage
Just a brief message in local media was the only report in local media. It’s not a secret that all local media is under strict control of the government. They decide what to write and how to do it. Reuters agency correspondent was arrested in Andijan in the midst of bloody event. The officials were not interested in his version of events, contrary to the governmental version. Numerous internet resources have been blocked by Internet service providers to avoid any “disturbing” information. The same “politics of silence” was used against Russian TV channels, broadcasting in Uzbekistan. The reports of Andijan events were simply interrupted.
5. Refugees
The bloody operation, carried out by governmental forces, had forced citizens of Uzbekistan to flee to neighboring Kyrgyzstan. From 5.000 to 10.000 Uzbek citizens are currently awaiting at the border of this Central Asian country. About 500 persons have already passed the border and are being given helter and medical treatment by Kyrgyz side. Refugees are afraid to go back, fearing the consequences. Most of the refugees are walking barefoot. This fact is the clearest evidence of economic situation of Andijan.
6. The city
Currently Andijan is a closed city. Police is still searching for the rest of the terrorists. Flights to Andijan are canceled. Foreign journalists are not allowed to enter the city.
7.Reaction of people
Reactions of people in Tashkent - capital of Uzbekistan - differ from official version. People are sure that religion was not involved in the events - the only thing people wanted is to get public attention to the miserable conditions of life. Shooting at innocent civilians can not be justified. Once again people have seen methods of governmental handling the situations. (Fides Service 19/5/2005 lines 59 words 595)
