Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-06-08-Speech-3-211"
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"en.20050608.18.3-211"2
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".
Mr President, the Commission fully subscribes to the Council declaration which clearly and unambiguously sets out our concerns over recent events in Uzbekistan. We have been shocked by the appalling loss of life. We are concerned by the resulting movements of people away from the violence over the border with Kyrgyzstan and by the reported excessive and disproportionate use of force by the Uzbek security forces.
It is clear to the Commission that the people of Uzbekistan urgently need to work towards a peaceful and sustainable solution to the present situation. The Commission notes the suggestion made by the Uzbek authorities in relation to the international inquiry contained in the letter of 31 May from President Karimov to United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, a copy of which was sent to Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner. It is essential that the Uzbek authorities immediately allow a full independent international inquiry into the recent events. The Commission considers it important that dialogue is maintained and that it is possible for diplomatic envoys to transmit messages to Uzbekistan.
Even before the shocking recent events, the Commission was working to bolster Uzbekistan’s fragile reform process. We have to be realistic about what can be achieved, but I believe that working, for example, with the Uzbek Parliament to help create a modern legislature is crucial to improving the lot of the Uzbek people.
What we have seen in Uzbekistan in recent weeks, following the events in Andijan – not only the appalling loss of life, but the response by the authorities to international criticism and the reported crack-down on human rights groups and defenders – only underlines how important it is to keep the reform process alive. This would be the worst possible moment to pull out or to isolate the country. At the same time, however, this does not mean business as usual.
The Commission has already sent a delegation of officials to Uzbekistan to investigate what more we can do to support reforms and importantly, to improve living conditions in the Fergana Valley. In the coming weeks, we shall be finalising our proposals to be implemented under the TACIS programme. Our existing poverty reduction programme for the Fergana Valley works in all three countries – Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – amongst which the valley is divided. There is some scope within our existing resources to do more and the Commission is determined that the opportunity is not missed.
In the meantime, we will continue to work to the TACIS technical assistance programme to promote social and economic reforms, both at the governmental and grassroots civil society level.
While pushing for a fully independent investigation into the events that have already taken place, we must not lose sight of how those who took part in the unrest may yet be treated. It is clear that the authorities regard all participation as criminal. In this context, the Commission is looking at a range of projects, including improving the management of prisons and treatment of detainees.
The Commission commends the cooperation between the authorities in Kyrgyzstan – who have been faced with a very difficult humanitarian situation – and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. We therefore welcome the recent decision to relocate the asylum seekers, who currently number 475, away from the border region."@en1
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