We can thank the BBC, the Russian Interfax news agency, and various human rights organizations for getting the truth out about Uzbekistan, after its government, the US government, and various Western news agencies tried to put the “fix” in Friday night. Here’s what really happened: an armed group of local residents of Andijan (NOT IMU or Hizb-ut Tahrir militant supporters) stormed the local prison to release local business leaders. Local civic activists charged that the Uzbek government had been advised by the US government, without evidence, that these leaders were IMU “terrorists” and should be held in prison indefinitely. The prison doors were opened and everyone was freed.  Later, more than 10,000 mostly-unarmed citizens, with a high percentage of children, gathered in the public square to demand the resignation of Islam Karimov.

The BBC accurately reported as of noon Eastern time on Friday that security forces had opened fire on protesters with submachine guns, killing at least 500, including at least 100 children. Condoleezza Rice and State Dept. spokesman Richard Boucher said that they did not believe the reports, and in any event, these people were probably supporters of terrorists. Sure enough, on Saturday morning all the Western news reports from AP, Reuters, etc. said that only 10 were dead, and that these were “armed rebels”. The BBC had warned Friday afternoon that bodies were being taken to Uzbek government hospitals, the hospitals were being closed, and that bodies would no doubt “disappear.” Isn’t it funny how some Russian news outlets told the truth, while virtually all Western sources outside BBC served as Uzbek government mouthpieces?

Luckily, by Saturday afternoon, reports were emerging that 500 dead was probably an understatement. This should be a warning to all Stalinist governments that, in the Internet age, hidden massacres are simply impossible to maintain. It should also be a warning to the US to watch out for its seamier friends.

This issue is of immediate relevance to Global Network and all working for peace in space, because the US maintains a major space and intelligence base, a so-called “Forward Operating Location”, at Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan. Consequently, we will support Islam Karimov unflaggingly. But the position of Condi Rice and the US government will look more and more untenable over the next few days.

Loring Wirbel CPIS/PPJPC Colorado Springs

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