"CIA intelligence tainted by torture" claims British Ambassador

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.

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Are there any plans to "liberate" Uzbekistan?

another link -

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

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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-

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Thank you
AnnabelLee
DU Moderator

40 lashes

and forced to watch FOX news whores for 30 minutes

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

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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

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.



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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'.



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