Comments on: The Islamic Republic of Korasuv

By: Registan.net » Account of Rakhimov’s Arrest

Registan.net » Account of Rakhimov’s Arrest — Thu, 19 May 2005 19:54:55 +0000

[...] iven by business interests and only used Islamic slogans to generate support. Like I said last night, there’s a good chance that Rakhimov was no more harmful than a respected Mormon businessman who [...]

By: Bertrand

Bertrand — Thu, 19 May 2005 13:56:34 +0000

Uzbek troops regained control of Karasuv today, ostensibly without bloodshed although Rahimov’s family says he was beaten, which is likely true given what he had been saying and his self-generated high profile.

By: david_walther

david_walther — Thu, 19 May 2005 12:41:14 +0000

The rest of you here in the side of the world where it is day now probably all already know this, but for those of you who are just waking up, Uzbek troops have retaken Qorasuv (kara su) (Ilichevsk) and arrested the “protest leader” though I am still trying to figure out when he became the protest leader.

See the BBC for coverage, they have limited information though because, following their previous protocal, the troops are not letting journalists into the town, even though so far there are no causualities reported on either side.

I think it was me who injected the Ilichevsk issue into the discussion, I have to apologize for that. RIA novisti, where I was translating the articles from was consistently calling the Uzbek side “Ilichevsk” but I think in actuality that was the Soviet name of the town, not vise versa. I guess they had some bad information on that—certainly the world press has agreed to call it Karu su or Kara Suv at this point.

I have never been there myself, my work keeps me in Tashkent so I’ve seen a good bit less of the country than Peace Corps workers and others here.

By: Hulegu

Hulegu — Thu, 19 May 2005 11:44:07 +0000

It’s just an itch, but … I’m wondering if Karimov’s decision not to attend the recent GUUAM conference (Uzbekistan’s suspended membership aside) wasn’t to do with the fact that he was aware that something might kick-off and that he should be around to deal with it. After all, it’s not like the Uzbek security apparatus is mickey-mouse or anything.

Anyway, congrats on the magnificent coverage – seems like Registan has reached its “tipping-point”.

By: Matt W.

Matt W. — Thu, 19 May 2005 04:57:29 +0000

Interesting development. I believe the Uzbek spelling is Qorasuv (“black water”). Is this the name of the Uzbek side of town as well? Earlier posts (and people I know in Tashkent) had it as Ilichevsk.

Is the Kyrgyz side under the control of rebels as well?