OSCE Chairman calls on Uzbek authorities to resolve current situation with dialogue instead of force

LJUBLJANA, 15 May 2005 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel expressed his deep concern about recent events in the eastern Uzbek city of Andijan, where government forces are reported to have opened fire killing many demonstrators.

"We are closely monitoring the situation, although independent information coming from the country is very limited. However, the OSCE is present on the ground through its Centre in Tashkent, and in its contacts with the Uzbek authorities it has expressed OSCE readiness to assist in preventing further bloodshed, as well as in finding a lasting solution."

Minister Rupel added that he was aware violence had been used on both sides and that some demonstrators had acted illegally in freeing a large number of prisoners and raiding a police station. He also accepted that the Government believed it was dealing with a band of "terrorists".

However, viewing the stark contrast between the numbers killed on either side, with military deaths put by the Government at nine against many times that number of demonstrators believed dead, he added that one side appeared to have employed lethal violence in a disproportionate or reckless fashion.

He therefore called on the Government to refrain from any more use of violence in resolving the current situation.

"Further loss of human lives must be avoided at all costs. Any differences that may exist should not represent an excuse for the use of force on either side."

The Chairman-in-Office again encouraged all sides to settle their differences peacefully through dialogue, and in accordance with democratic values, including respect for human rights: "All OSCE participating States, including Uzbekistan, are pledged to honour these. Let me emphasize the offer made yesterday by the Organization: we are ready to facilitate such a dialogue."