The BBC World Service has produced a documentary about the murdered Tashkent theatre director Mark Weil (guardian obituary here). The documentary is called ‘Beyond Mark Weil’ and is presented by the always excellent Natalya Antaleva. Weil, a Russian Jew, founded the Ilkhom Theatre in 1976. It was the first independent theatre in the USSR and the name means ‘inspiration’ in Uzbek.

Many suspect the government of being involved in Weil’s death. Certainly the recent production of The Ecstasy with the Pomegranate attracted official opprobrium. Here’s the Youtube trailer:

May 13, 2005… Three years have passed since the bloody suppression of a civic demonstration in the center of Andijon city, Uzbekistan. According to different independent sources, several hundreds of peaceful demonstrators were shot dead by government troops on this day. Many people fled to neighboring Kyrgyzstan, where UNHCR helped them to find an asylum in the third country. We have written many posts dedicated to Andijon events. This time, we want to ask you what do you think about Andijon events. Please, share your thoughts with others.

For a long time Tohir Yuldosh has been the only Uzbekistani (and Central Asian), who was included by US and UN to the list of top suspects for connection with Al Qaeda and Taliban. Tohir Yuldosh is an amir (leader) of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), who got this position after the death of a IMU founder Juma Namangoni, who was killed in 2001 during the Operation Enduring Freedom near Kunduz, Afghanistan. IMU is considered to be a terroristic group that today operates in Afghanistan supporting Taliban. IMU allegedly organized several bomb explosions in Uzbekistan, for which it was banned in the country and its followers were persecuted.

Today, Tohir Yuldosh is not the only Uzbek in the top terrorists list. Recently, UN updated its consolidated list of suspects affiliated with Al Qaeda and Taliban. It included two more Uzbekistanis, who are suspected for being leaders of the Islamic Jihad Group formed in 2004 that allegedly closely cooperates with Al Qaeda and Taliban.

SUHAYL 2: FATILLOEVICH 3: BURANOV 4: na
Name (original script): Бypaнов Суҳайл Фатиллоевич
Title: na Designation: na DOB: 1983 POB: Tashkent, Uzbekistan Good quality a.k.a.: Suhayl Fatilloyevich Buranov Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Uzbek Passport no.: na National identification no.: na Address: Massiv Kara-Su-6, building 12, apt. 59, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Listed on: 21 Apr. 2008 Other information: One of the leaders of the Islamic Jihad Group (listed under permanent reference number QE.I.119.05.). Has undertaken special training on mines and explosives at the Al-Qaida camp in the Khost province. Has participated in military operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan on the Taliban side. Was one of the organizers of the terrorist attacks committed in Uzbekistan in 2004. Criminal proceedings were instituted against him in 2000 in accordance with the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan: Articles 159, part 3 (Attempts to Constitutional Order of the Republic of Uzbekistan), and 248 (Illegal Possession of Arms, Ammunition, Explosive Substances, or Explosive Assemblies). An order for his arrest has been issued.

NAJMIDDIN 2: KAMOLITDINOVICH 3: JALOLOV 4: na
Name (original script): Жалолов Ηажмиддин Камолитдинович
Title: na Designation: na DOB: 1972 POB: Andijan Region, Uzbekistan Good quality a.k.a.: na Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Uzbek Passport no.: na National identification no.: na Address: S. Jalilov Street 14, Khartu, Andijan Region, Uzbekistan Listed on: 21 Apr. 2008 Other information: One of the leaders of the Islamic Jihad Group (listed under permanent reference number QE.I.119.05.). Has undertaken special training on mines and explosives at Al-Qaida camps. Has participated in military operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan on the Taliban side. Was one of the organizers of the terrorist attacks committed in Uzbekistan in 1999 and 2004. Criminal proceedings were instituted against him in March 1999 in accordance with the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan: Articles 154 (Mercenary), 155 (Terrorism), 156 (Incitement of Ethic, Racial or Religious Hatred), 159 (Attempts to Constitutional Order of Uzbekistan), 242 (Organization of Criminal Community) and 244 (Failure to Report about Crime or Concealment thereof). An order for his arrest has been issued.

I wonder where UN gets such detailed information about suspects. If their source is the Uzbek government that turns down all kinds of dissent, I am not sure that it is fully reliable.

The Washington Post carries a snappy review of a Central Asian restaurant in NYC that specialises in kosher food. Taam-Tov is based in the Diamond District and focuses on the cuisine of Bukhara, which has a long-established Jewish community. The reviewer writes:

‘11:54 a.m. I’m on my way to the Diamond District, where young men in doorways mutter, “We buy gold, we buy diamonds,” while Hasidic men hurry past window displays of sparkling jewelry. At 41 W. 47th, I walk up two flights of stairs, past the appraisal shop on the second floor and on to the dining room of Taam-Tov, a kosher Central Asian restaurant that has been getting attention from the New York press for its juicy meats, hearty portions and low prices. I’m there because, after I happened upon a review a few weeks back that mentioned that the food was from the Bukhar region, I had to Google “Bukhar.” (It’s in Uzbekistan.) I was curious, since that’s not a cuisine I’ve ever encountered in the District. That’s why I’m here: to seek out foods Washingtonians have to travel to New York to find.

‘12:40 p.m. After a delicious plate of bakhsh (Bukharian pilaf studded with chunks of meat, carrots and cilantro), I’m sated but realize I made a rookie mistake: carbo-loading at the start of a food safari. I’ll have to pace myself better. The restaurant’s filling up, and I want to hit the Union Square Greenmarket before my scheduled food tour, so I cede my table to a group waiting in the doorway.’

Other reviews:
New York Times;
New York;
Time Out New York.

It seems likely that the British Government will support the continued suspension of the visa ban on Uzbek officials when the matter comes up for discussion at the end of the month. On 29 April the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) will meet in Luxembourg to discuss a range of affairs - (Iraq, Burma, Zimbabwe, Georgia et al) including whether or not to continue the suspension of the travel ban on Uzbekistan.

In a written ministerial statement (via TheyWorkForYou.com) on 25 April Jim Murphy, MP (Lab; Renfrewshire East), Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said:

‘The Council is expected to consider whether there has been sufficient progress on human rights issues in Uzbekistan in the last six months to warrant continued suspension of the EU visa ban. The Government recognise the positive progress made by Uzbekistan in the last six months and welcome its commitment to hold a second round of the EU-Uzbekistan Human Rights Dialogue in May or June this year. In the light of this, and in order to encourage further positive progress from Uzbekistan, the Government are likely to join consensus in continuing the suspension.’

What was that phrase EU officials used to trot out when describing negotiations with Iran? ‘constructive dialogue’. It seems that this will be the EU’s approach to relations with Uzbekistan - at least for the time being.

His name must not be unfamiliar for those who like Uzbek musical instruments. Abbos Kosimov is a living legend among Uzbek musicians. Not a single event in Uzbekistan is hold without his or his bands participation. In his hands, doira seems to become alive.

A few notes for those who may not know what is doira. Sairam Tourism gives, I think, one of the best explanations of it.

Undoubtedly, the most favorite percussion instrument of the Uzbeks is doira. One side of the wooden rim with diameter up to fifty centimetres is covered with tight leather membrane, whereas sixty metal rings are fixed on the other side. With fingers of both hands a musician beats out a tattoo on the tightly stretched leather and at the same time he shakes doira thus accompanying the rhythmic sound strikes with melodical chime of the rings. In the hands of a virtuoso doira-player performing usul - a rhythmic accompaniment of dances and singing, doira can produce tender sounds resembling rustling of the wind, or loud drumming, like a spring thunder. At the parties for lack of doira the girls accompany their dancing with improvised musical instruments: a metal plate liagan or a tray which help them produce rhythm similar to that of a doira.

To prove my statements above concerning Abbos Kosimov’s musical talent, I advise you to watch these movies from Youtube.

Abbos Kosimov, solo on doira.

Abbos Kosimov’s group performance in Taiwan.

For more information, you can visit Abbos Kosimov’s webpage, where you can find more information about him, and watch and listen to his other performances.

An Uzbek human rights activist has urged the EU not to soften its line on Uzbekistan. Writing in the guardian, Abdujalil Boymatov - who has been granted refugee status in Ireland - argues that, ‘Repressive as Soviet rule was, I can say that the regime of President Karimov is five times more repressive.’

Boymatov’s rap sheet on the Tashkent regime makes stark reading: harassment and torture of activists and opposition politicians, the internment of journalists in psychiatric hospitals, the Andijan massacre, and all sorts of other unpleasantness.

Most of this is well know to Uzbeks and others who follow Uzbekistan from afar. Yet in the comments thread Sikanderji makes some typically well-argued points, not least:

‘for the past three years American and European relations with Uzbekistan have been extremely poor, and the forms of cooperation and assistance to which organisations such as Birlik and individuals such as Craig Murray objected had been withdrawn. Whilst this enabled us (i.e. the West) to feel much better about ourselves, the concrete results were less than encouraging. Uzbekistan became more rather than less repressive, and Russian and Chinese protection meant that the country wasn’t diplomatically isolated. Such influence as Britain and America did have in Uzbekistan (and there was a little) disappeared. Now there are signs of a thaw, probably because Karimov has decided he doesn’t want to be too beholden to the Russians and Chinese and would like to keep another iron or two in the fire. I have mixed feelings about this, but I’m not sure it should necessarily be discouraged, as isolation and condemnation of the Uzbek regime hasn’t worked.’

It’s a fair point, and one that Nathan at Registan has made on numerous occasions e.g. here. Sanctions have a mixed record in international relations. For every South Africa there’s an Iraq. Considering the current economic situation in Uzbekistan - not least hardships caused by poor infrastructure during the recent winter, which was by all accounts freakin’ cold - will sanctions lead to the downfall of the regime or just pile on the misery for the population?

A new source of information about our country’s life, including domestic and foreign policy, human rights and its violations, national security, history, economy, etc. was founded by immigrants living abroad in order to bring news for the international community about Uzbekistan in more or less objective way. First post was posted on the 21st of March with congratulations to the people of Uzbekistan with national holiday Navruz.

Site starts with post on rich history of Uzbekistan, its location, historical events and developments within various dynasties starting from Alexander the Great and finishing with pre-Soviet era along with Soviet period and the period of Karimov’s rule as an introduction to the following articles about current situation in Uzbekistan.

Editors of the site tried to explain the definition of “Birdamlik” which could be considered as Polish “Solidarność” in order to somehow compare that Polish people movement with “Birdamlik” movement of immigrants and political refugees from Uzbekistan.

In brief, Birdamlik.org is again calling international community and, first of all, people of Uzbekistan to take more active participation in building democratic society in our country by any democratic means.

Professional journalists and activists are posting their thoughts and analysis of the policymaking process in the country and informing visitors last actual news in Uzbekistan. Another particularity is that “Birdamlik” site is making blog survey and posting hot issues. One of them is our post “Uzbek State Statistics Committee informs about the decrease of cotton production” from our blog at http://uzbekistan.neweurasia.net/2008/04/07/state-statistics-committee-informs-about-the-decrease-of-cotton-production/, that is actually a good news for us to cooperate with “Birdamlik” in the sphere of sharing information and ideas regarding making life of ordinary people in Uzbekistan easier.

As I could check this site is already banned by internet providers in Uzbekistan. Thus, another newly born initiative was closed for the people of Uzbekistan to cover the problems in the country. Very sad but understandable step by Uzbek government led by everybody-loved-long-term president.

The Embassy of the United States in Tashkent makes a lot to provide locals (ordinary people) with access to information. Sometimes they try to provide with access to banned sources of information such as blocked internet sites and banned international reports [of the US State Department and international organizations].

Information Resource Center (IRC) based at the building of the Embassy serves for more than a year. It provides visitors with US and European periodicals, outstanding literature, reports of the US State Department on annually Human Rights violations reports which can be used during working hours and can be taken outside [for home use]. The access to internet is minimized to 1,5 hours a visit and during that time visitor could feel himself safe. At least, until Ministry of Internal Affairs officers, supposed to protect the outside territories of the Embassy, started impartial document checkings and gathering information about all the visitors.

Imagine, you are going to visit IRC to read some news at journals and newspapers and check your e-mail. All of these is for free and could be even copied. All you need is (or was before) to sign up beforehand and enjoy your visit after checking for security purposes by US Embassy security officers. But… if before Uzbek policemen (militia) used to check you passport and report your arrival to Embassy security officers, now they are writing down all the information about you to their specialized notebook specifying your name and surname, passport details, home address, occupation and the person or department you are visiting.

Such an interest in each visitor brings to the fear that something is wrong over here. But what exactly?

“There is no such a regulation agreed between Embassy and Ministry of Internal Affairs”, – said US Embassy in Tashkent Press-Attaché Molly Stephenson during one of the public events in the Embassy, – “it’s not our will or decision to fix the information about visitors and we can do nothing currently. But we hope to solve this problem soon.”

What is this? Another insurance step towards controlling the situation with US Embassy visitors which are considered as a potential pro-American zombies by Uzbek officials?

I can’t understand how it is possible to have such a lack of culture to interfere internal business of the US Embassy. No one anywhere and ever dared to interfere diplomatic missions’ affairs, including visits, meetings whatever on the territory of the Embassy or Diplomatic area.

Among visitors of the IRC there are some persons which are in the circle of the interests of SNB, like Shuxrat Akhmadjonov. These people try to use the territory of the Embassy as a safe area. Everything ends, and IRC working hours also. After getting off the Embassy they are taken under “warm” control of mentioned above SNB officers and are questioned if something anti-governmental is going on in the Embassy, some kind of propaganda by Embassy workers.

That’s clear that everybody who know that no one get information about somebody just for fun. And this fact makes to feel worry and fear to be questioned by SNB someday…

photo from http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tashkent-Uzbekistan/IRC-Tashkent/9631659185

This video is for Uzbekistanis abroad, who miss Uzbekistan, their motherland. Today, we have so many Uzbek citizens living abroad. It is not because now Uzbeks have more money to travel or study in foreign countries. No, it is because a great part of population has to leave their motherland (in Uzbekistan, this word means a lot!) to earn for living in Russia and Kazakhstan, where often they are not welcomed. It is because many people cannot stand any more the sufferings caused by the Uzbek government and have to seek asilym in foreign countries. I hope this video, a collection of photos from Uzbekistan, will ease your pain of missing Uzbekistan.