Uzbekistan: Unrest in Babur’s City Andijon

Dr Ramakant Dwivedi

Strategic Analyst

E-mail: ramnisha2002@hotmail.com

Introduction

At least 32 Uzbek security forces and 140 “extremists” are reported to have been killed and hundreds of others wounded in clashes between the “Islamist Extremists” and Uzbek security forces during May 13- 16, 2005 in Andijon City in Uzbekistan. Andijon City is located in the eastern part of Uzbekistan and is part of the Ferghana Valley. The trouble started soon after relatives and friends of the 23 persons, who are undergoing trial on charges of religious extremism, looted the military Unit No 34 and killed about five people. The group seized weapons, including machine guns, pistols and granites. They also captured military lorry ZIL-130, which was later on used to carry out an attack on a remand prison for releasing almost 600 inmates. The 23 Akromilars (followers of Akram Yuldoshev) or as some reports say businessmen, were arrested under Article 159 of the Uzbek Criminal Code which pertains to unconstitutional activity. Supporters of 23 arrested “businessmen” were able to seize the buildings of the regional National Security Service and the local administration for brief time which was freed by Uzbek security forces soon. Here clashes between the “Islamists” and Uzbek security forces took a bloody turn and resulted in the death of tens of Uzbek security forces/police and “extremists” and wounding several others. There are conflicting reports about the venue of the clashes; and one suggests that these were in the central square of Andijon city. The unrest has spread to Korasuv from nearby Andijon. It seems the Uzbek government has been able to contain the protests to Andijon and its periphery around the city. Hundreds of Uzbek people including the “extremists” have crossed over to Kyrgyz provinces of Osh and Jalalabad. At the time of writing this piece, reports are coming in that Kyrgyz Government forces have recovered more than 70 Kalashnikov rifles from the “extremist” and returned them to Uzbek government. In Tashkent the Uzbekistan prosecutors' office said a formal investigation has been launched into what it called the "murders and the organization of mass unrest" in Andijon. The Interior Ministry announced that 70 people had been detained so far in connection with the 13 May violence in the city.

In 1992, Akram Yuldoshev, a 29-year-old mathematics teacher from Andijon, wrote a theological pamphlet "Yimonga Yul" (Path to faith). In the pamphlet he argues for the superiority of Islamic philosophy. A circle of sympathisers gathered around him and started following Islamic guidelines in their own lives. Akromilars have been fighting to establish a Muslim caliphate in Central Asia and are opposed to the liberal traditions of Sufism which has been the hallmark of Central Asian civilisations. Their main demands include: a return to the basic principles and commandments of Islam; purification of Islam of all `later’ heresies and ‘distractions; a political system based on Hakimiya and the caliphate; a legal system within the Shari’a framework and its over-riding the legislature and the executive. The Akromilars’ ideology appears to be gaining some ground in Uzbekistan. Others state that Akramiya is a splinter group from Hezb-e Tahrir (Party of Liberation), a trans-national Islamic group that seeks to re-establish the Caliphate in Central Asia, though by peaceful means.

Analysis

There are two streams within the Islamic revival in Uzbekistan. One is moderately radical and the other "ultra radical." Both want to establish an Islamic state under Shari’a law. The Hezb–e-Tahrir is said to have chosen peaceful political means to accomplish this aim; while the others such as Tovba, Adolat, Islam lashkarlari, Nur and Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) have turned to violent means. As far as external influences are concerned the Afghan crisis (1978-89) in which Islamic militants fought and ultimately defeated the pro-Soviet government, followed by years of infighting that ended with the capture of power by the Taliban in 1996, created regional Islamic networks linked to the Talban (Taliban) and Al-Qaeda. Saudi Arabian government and foundations have been pumping lots of money to build mosques and support trusted groups in the region.

Andijon is next door to Kyrgyzstan’s Osh and Jalalabad provinces where the successful March 2005 demonstrations against the Kyrgyz president, Asker Akayev, culminated in his flight to Moscow. The movement was christened the “Tulip Revolution”.  Some analysts have suggested that the Tulip Revolution has cast its shadow, now, over the Uzbek part of the Ferghana Valley.  This appears to be an extrapolative leap from an inadequate data base. However, the case for a continuous watch and study of developments is valid because Uzbekistan is a key country in the region and traumatic changes would have major geo-political implications for the Central Asia and its neighbouring regions.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the government condemns the actions of extremists and highlighted the Uzbek-Russia “strategic partnership”. Russian foreign minister Lavrov claims foreign radicals are behind the violence. Lavrov said, "I do not think any country will tolerate foreign forces seizing arms depots, staging violence, raiding administrative buildings, and taking hostages on its territory,” Russian response has been in support of Karimov government. Clearly, Moscow is unlikely to be a silent spectator. It is worth noting that Uzbekistan’s neighbours (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan) have placed their security and border forces on a heightened alert. Kyrgyzstan, interim President Kurmanbek Bakiev on 14 May agreed that Islamic militants are responsible for the unrest in Andijon. The Turkish government has called on Uzbek government forces to deal with protesters and civilians "calmly by acting with common sense." Ankara attaches lots of significance to stability in Uzbekistan. United States has strategic partnership with Uzbekistan and has been taking full support of Tashkent in its fight against terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said, "The people of Uzbekistan want to see a more representative and democratic government. But that should come through peaceful means, not through violence.” However all is not well between Tashkent and Washington. Uzbek government’s decision to pull out of GUUAM (Georgia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) grouping and closing down western Non Government Organisation (NGO) have raised eye brows in Washington. Originally the GUAM was formed by Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova in 1997 with the support of the United States and was perceived as an alternative to the Russian dominated Commonwealth of Independent States. Uzbekistan officially joined the coalition in 1999 and the organization was renamed into GUUAM. But the coalition failed to transform into a meaningful vehicle of regional cooperation and Uzbekistan officially announced in 2002 that it pulls out from the organization. Interestingly, there has been no response from China on the unrest in Andijon. Uzbek President Karimov’s China visit during May 25 – 27 last was a clear indication of Beijing support to him. India has also condemned the “terrorists” actions.

There have been regional initiatives to combat Islamic extremism and terrorism. Shanghai Five was formed by China, Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in 1996 with the primary objective of resolving border disputed between China and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). However after the inclusion of Uzbekistan in 2001, the member countries renamed the organisation as Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and have expanded its mandate to economic cooperation and fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism. Some observers view this as a Russian-Chinese joint move to counter balance increasing United States influence in Central Asia. Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Anti-Terrorist Regional Centre now fully functional in Tashkent aims at coordinating initiatives by member countries to combat terrorism, extremism and separatism. Central Asian Cooperation Organization (CACO) established by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in 1996 (Russia joined CACO in October 2004). CACO was formed to enhance regional economic cooperation but after 9/11 2001 it took on more of a security role.

In the final analyses, one may say that imaginative and creative initiatives by Uzbek government to arrest deteriorating economic conditions in the country are essential to weaken the appeal of religious extremism. As far as the issue of democratisation is concerned, one should welcome emergence of genuine political opposition in Maveran Nehr (Uzbekistan) however no prescription are desirable. Uzbeks need to evolve a democracy which is in tune with the concrete realties of the country. In the meantime fight against religious extremist forces in Uzbekistan should continue.

Source:           www.uzreport.com

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(Published in the MAINSTREAM, MAY 20 – 26, 2005. The views expressed are personal.)