Islam Karimov, good riddance

[rowan]

So condolences and tributes have rolled in from world leaders for Islam Karimov, who kicked the bucket this week after precisely quarter of a century ruling Uzbekistan (since its independence) in what could only be described as one of the world's bloodiest and most corrupt dictatorships. Uzbekistan is among the leading producers of natural gas in the world, and also a major source of oil and gold. But the average wage is just a few dollars a day. The vast majority of that wealth since independence from the USSR has gone to the Karimov family and their cabal. Meanwhile, there are at least 10 K political prisoners in the country, where torture is widespread. Between 700 and 1.2 K anti-government protesters were slaughtered by security forces in 2005; mostly machine-gunned - though some are believed to have been boiled to death on Karimov's personal orders and also in his presence - sufficient even to draw condemnation from staunch ally the US, who were temporarily kicked off their Uzbeki military base in retaliation. America consequently imposed an arms embargo on Tashkent. However, Obama quietly lifted this four years ago and last year sent a major shipment of weapons directly to his good friend Karimov. Of course, aside from its energy resources, Uzbekistan is strategially vital to the US as it continues its long-term military occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, and continues to isolate Iran. Karimov was born in 1938 in Samarkand (from where 14th century Turco-Mongol leader Tamerlane conquered much of Asia) and served under Gorbachev in the Soviet Communist Party. He died of a stroke on September 2 aged 78. His successor will almost certainly come from within his own exclusive community.

[Sandydragon]

I don't think too many will mourn him. The concern now must be is the success even worse? Succession plans in dictatorships can be troublesome.

This article is interesting reading.

http://scroll.in/article/816330/with-uz ... -influence

[Stones of granite]

So condolences and tributes have rolled in from world leaders for Islam Karimov, who kicked the bucket this week after precisely quarter of a century ruling Uzbekistan (since its independence) in what could only be described as one of the world's bloodiest and most corrupt dictatorships. Uzbekistan is among the leading producers of natural gas in the world, and also a major source of oil and gold. But the average wage is just a few dollars a day. The vast majority of that wealth since independence from the USSR has gone to the Karimov family and their cabal. Meanwhile, there are at least 10 K political prisoners in the country, where torture is widespread. Between 700 and 1.2 K anti-government protesters were slaughtered by security forces in 2005; mostly machine-gunned - though some are believed to have been boiled to death on Karimov's personal orders and also in his presence - sufficient even to draw condemnation from staunch ally the US, who were temporarily kicked off their Uzbeki military base in retaliation. America consequently imposed an arms embargo on Tashkent. However, Obama quietly lifted this four years ago and last year sent a major shipment of weapons directly to his good friend Karimov. Of course, aside from its energy resources, Uzbekistan is strategially vital to the US as it continues its long-term military occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, and continues to isolate Iran. Karimov was born in 1938 in Samarkand (from where 14th century Turco-Mongol leader Tamerlane conquered much of Asia) and served under Gorbachev in the Soviet Communist Party. He died of a stroke on September 2 aged 78. His successor will almost certainly come from within his own exclusive community.

Sorry to appear ignorant, but when did the US forces return to the Uzbeki military base after their temporary expulsion?

[rowan]

They didn't. There were negotiations two years ago but in the end the US opted out, though it continues to use the Termez air base facility in Uzbekistan and the arms embargo imposed on Tashkent after the 2005 massacre has been lifted, as mentioned.

[rowan]

Pro-Russian Shavkaat Mirziyoyev has won the presidential elections with more than 88 percent of the votes following Karimov's death in September. Mirziyoyev had been appointed as interim president. Mirziyoyev had already expressed his desire to develop relations with Moscow.