From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Fri Jan 10 2003 - 09:04:20 EST
Uzbekistan axes footbridge into Kyrgyzstan, cross-border trade wrecked
Text of report by Kyrgyz public educational TV on 9 January
An incident occurred on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border this morning. The Uzbek
authorities began to remove a footbridge across the Shahrikhansay river
[in eastern Andizhan Region of Uzbekistan]. There are large bazaars
along both banks of the river and the bridge has allowed traders from
both countries to earn money from price differences. Uzbek traders were
buying Chinese consumer goods at the Kara Su bazaar [in southern Osh
Region] and selling them in Uzbekistan at a higher price. Kyrgyz traders
were importing cheap products from Uzbekistan. The Uzbek local
authorities notified Kyrgyz border guards last evening that they were
going to remove the bridge. However, they did not explain why.
This action has aroused indignation amongst those living on both sides
of the border because many of them have close relatives on the other
side.
[Suban Yakubov, the commander of the Kyrgyz Kara Su District border
service] Every local resident will react to this individually. Local
people have relations with one another which go back centuries. Some of
their relatives live in Kyrgyzstan and others in Uzbekistan. Of course,
there has been some small reaction. However, as you see, the situation
has so far been normal. There has not been any rioting or crowds so far.
Source: Public Educational Radio and TV, Bishkek, in Russian 1530 gmt 9
Jan 03
BBC Mon CAU 090103 /mk
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