Thursday, May 19, 2005

The death toll in Uzbekistan has risen to 745, this story in the Guardian says.
The UK through its foreign secretary Jack Straw spoke out against the politically-motivated violence and demanded access for journalists, Red Cross personnel and diplomats to investigate.
Condoleeza Rice also called for "political reform" but "the US appears to be reluctant to be too overtly critical of a state it regards as a key regional ally in its "war on terrorism". Uzbekistan has given it access to a strategically important air base."
Security has remained tight in Andijan, the city where the violence broke out while hundreds of refugees have fled to neighboring Kyrgyzstan.