"CIA intelligence tainted by torture" claims British Ambassador

[LibLabUK]

Apologies if this has been posted before.

British ambassador to Uzbekistan speaks out.



http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-868111,00.html

<snip>
“Uzbekistan is not a functioning democracy, nor does it appear to be moving in the direction of democracy,” announced the normally affable Scotsman. “We believe there to be between 7,000 and 10,000 people in detention,” he continued. “In many cases they have been falsely convicted, The terrible case of (two men) apparently tortured to death by boiling water is not an isolated incident. Brutality is inherent in (your) system.”

It was not just the Uzbek officials who were stunned; US Ambassador Herbst and his fellow US diplomats were said to be “livid”.


Uzbekistan — which shares a border with Afghanistan — had only recently agreed to a vast US air base being built on its soil. Just a year before Murray’s speech, it provided the Americans with a vital northern base from which to launch attacks on Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban. The Americans were understandably anxious not to cause offence, but Murray’s graphic charge sheet made Herbst look like a fool.

<snip>

He highlighted similarities between human rights abuses in Iraq and those in Uzbekistan. He also warned that CIA intelligence from the country was likely to be tainted as it was obtained under torture.

--------

Are there any plans to "liberate" Uzbekistan?

[protect freedom impeach bush now]

1. UZBEKISTAN: British Diplomat Quits (3rd to quit)

another link -

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1070636,00.html

--------------------------------------------

http://www.muslimuzbekistan.com/eng/ennews/2003/10/ennews25102003a.html

October 25, 2003

UZBEKISTAN: BRITISH DIPLOMAT QUITS AT STRIFE-RIDDEN EMBASSY

By: Nick Paton Walsh in Tashkent and David Leigh (The Guardian)
Uploaded/Updated: 10/24/2003 21:04:55


<snip>

This is the latest development at the troubled embassy in Tashkent, where Britain's outspoken ambassador, Craig Murray, has refused a demand for his own resignation after clashes with the US about human rights. Mr Murray has returned to the UK "for medical treatment".
The Foreign Office confirmed last night that the third secretary, Chris Hirst, had resigned "while investigations were taking place into his conduct". It refused to comment on reports that the deputy head of mission, Karen Morgan, had returned to London.

Sources in Tashkent said that Mr Murray had ordered the recall to London of Mr Hirst and Ms Morgan after locals allegedly complained about Mr Hirst's conduct.
Soon afterwards, the ambassador was the subject of a number of miscellaneous disciplinary allegations. These ranged from the potentially serious - that he had supported the visa application of a young female friend who subsequently overstayed in Britain - to others which were more bizarre.

One was that he had gone on a fact-finding mission with a woman translator, but had failed to file a report to justify the journey...
..Mr Murray is understood to have flatly rejected all the allegations of impropriety. ..An inquiry by the Guardian has uncovered the extent of the turmoil at the British embassy. Some British personnel became increasingly unpopular with the regime of President Islam Karimov.

<snip> ...........


But in Tashkent, Mr Murray's supporters, who include many local businessmen, are convinced that the reason for the escalation of squabbles in the embassy was the ambassador's clash with the Americans.

-snip-

EDITED BY ADMIN FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS

[AnnabelLee]

4. protect freedom impeach bush now

Per DU copyright rules, please do not post more than four paragraphs of copyrighted material.

Thank you
AnnabelLee
DU Moderator

[protect freedom impeach bush now]

5. sorry...got carried away.

40 lashes

and forced to watch FOX news whores for 30 minutes

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

2. The Guardian have run several stories

about Craig Murray & the allegations that Downing St & the FO have been trying to kick him out. I don't have links to hand, but just search around the Guardian site.

The full speech, quoted in the Times article is here:

http://www.britain.uz/inform/presrel.htm

---

as a PS, the BBC recently aired a 3 hour travelogue/documentary called "Meet the Stans" about Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan which was fascinating stuff. An article & interview with Simon Reeve, the journalist, is available from:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3143462.stm

[protect freedom impeach bush now]

3. here ya go....

just go to search at UKGuardian's website

these search results pop up for search term - 'Uzbekistan'


http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1070636,00.html


Diplomat quits at strife-ridden embassy
Nick Paton Walsh in Tashkent and David Leigh
October 25 2003
A British diplomat based at the embassy in Uzbekistan has resigned from the Foreign Office for disciplinary reasons, it emerged yesterday.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Russia opens air base to shore up Asia influence
Kevin O'Flynn in Moscow
October 24 2003
In an attempt to shore up influence in a region it once ruled, President Vladimir Putin yesterday opened Russia's first airbase in central Asia since the break-up of the Soviet Union.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Big oil's Asian gameplan

October 21 2003
Lutz Kleveman's timely article (The new Great Game, October 20) neglects to mention the role of some key players likely very soon to be formally involved in the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. In the next month, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruct...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The new Great Game
Lutz Kleveman
October 20 2003
Nearly two years ago, I travelled to Kyrgyzstan, the mountainous ex-Soviet republic in Central Asia, to witness a historical event: the deployment of the first American combat troops on former Soviet soil.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Short backs envoy who criticised US
Martin Bright, home affairs editor
October 19 2003
Clare Short leapt last night to the defence of the British ambassador to Uzbekistan, who was withdrawn after making outspoken remarks about US support for the oppressive Uzbek regime in the 'war against terror'.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ambassador accused after criticising US
David Leigh, Nick Paton Walsh in Moscow and Ewen MacAskill
October 18 2003
Britain's ambassador in Tashkent, who mysteriously returned to this country last month on temporary sick leave, was the victim of threats from Downing Street related to his outspoken views on US foreign policy in the run-up to the Iraq invasion