From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Thu Nov 16 2000 - 11:29:25 EST
Mines should not solve problems at borders of Central Asian countries, According to
Human Rights Group
The Kyrgyz ambassador to Tajikistan has accused Uzbek authorities of
violation of the Ottawa Convention on Mines Prohibition. Mines planted by
the Uzbek military along the border with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have
resulted in deaths of many civilians and military. Uzbek authorities who
committed this purely war crime must be held responsible by International
Tribunal.
The joint Tajik-Uzbek intergovernmental commission for border problems made
a decision at its recently held meeting in Dushanbe on drawing up an
agreement on delimitation and demarcation of the state border. In an attempt
to prevent Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan guerillas from intrusion into
Uzbekistan Uzbek military have planted anti-infantry mines that civilians
have been blown up by as reported by the ASIA PLUS agency. According to
Dushanbe officials mines are often planted on Tajik territory. They also
consider mines planting an illegal action referring to the Ottawa Convention
on Mines Prohibition joined by Uzbekistan as well. Similar problems exist in
relationship between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Mr. Eric Asanaliev (Kyrgyz
ambassador to Tajikistan) said on 14 of November that mines planted by the
Uzbek Military along the Kyrgyz-Uzbek part of the border blow up not only
citizens of Kyrgyzstan and their livestock but also Uzbek military
themselves. Kyrgyz officials believe that until all the border arguments are
settled none of the sides has the right to declare any territory to be of
their own.
Kyrgyzstan remains true to its commitments in accordance with the Ottawa
Convention and hopes that Uzbekistan will stick to convention provisions.
Mr. Asanaliev said that mining was not the only way to solve the problem.
Besides this problem makes it difficult to strengthen contacts between two
fraternal peoples.
Yours sincerely
R. Dyryldaev
Chairman of the Kyrgyz Committee
for Human Rights in exile
c/o IHF
Austria, Vienna
A- 1080 Wickenburgg. 14/7
tel: 43 1 408 88 22; 43 1 956 58 94; Fax+43 1 408 88 22-50
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