[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

And from the BBC:

US hardens stance on Uzbekistan

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Last Updated: Monday, 16 May, 2005, 17:47 GMT 18:47 UK

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US hardens stance on Uzbekistan

The US says it is "deeply disturbed" by reports that troops in Uzbekistan fired on unarmed civilians during a protest in the east of the country.

It called on the Uzbek government to allow the International Red Cross full access to the part of the country affected by recent protests.

Local sources say several hundred people died when troops shot at protesters in Andijan on Friday.

Uzbek President Islam Karimov blamed the unrest on Islamic extremists.

US state department spokesman Richard Boucher said that stability in Uzbekistan depended on the government addressing human rights issues and the rule of law.

However, he also condemned violent protesters who had stormed government buildings.

Human rights organisations and a leading US Republican Congressman, Dana Rohrabacher, have called on the Bush administration to condemn Mr Karimov.

[SierraWasp]

"Human rights organisations and a leading US Republican Congressman, Dana Rohrabacher, have called on the Bush administration to condemn Mr Karimov."

I sure hope Dana knows what the heck he's talking about. He doesn't always, ya know...