Over the last couple of days, numerous reports have surfaced about mass rioting occurring in Uzbekistan, a former satellite state of the Soviet Union. The latest riots killed hundreds of protesters in the streets of Andijan. The Uzbeks were protesting against the repressive regime of dictator President Islam Karimov. Hundreds of citizens have packed up and fled to neighboring Kyrgyzstan, where there are now refugee camps, and the beginning of another international refugee crisis (Sudan redux).
What gets me is we have a US base in Uzbekistan with troops assigned to do counter terrorism work (Afghanistan is right next door). I thought we were all about spreading democracy and freedom around the world? If that's the case, why aren't we helping the democratic resistance to overthrow the repressive regime as we have in so many other countries?
Are we just idly standing by as hundreds of people are killed in the streets of Andijan just because we like the dictator Karimov and the strategic placement of a US base next door to Afghanistan? I wonder if Uzbekistan was sitting on a huge reserve of oil if we wouldn't be sending troops there (or at least CIA "advisors") to overthrow the President? Are we not acting on these human rights violations because we are already in deep caca with Pres. Putin after the Prez's visit with him during VE Day commemorations?
Miulang
What gets me is we have a US base in Uzbekistan with troops assigned to do counter terrorism work (Afghanistan is right next door). I thought we were all about spreading democracy and freedom around the world? If that's the case, why aren't we helping the democratic resistance to overthrow the repressive regime as we have in so many other countries?
Are we just idly standing by as hundreds of people are killed in the streets of Andijan just because we like the dictator Karimov and the strategic placement of a US base next door to Afghanistan? I wonder if Uzbekistan was sitting on a huge reserve of oil if we wouldn't be sending troops there (or at least CIA "advisors") to overthrow the President? Are we not acting on these human rights violations because we are already in deep caca with Pres. Putin after the Prez's visit with him during VE Day commemorations?
Miulang
Comment