The Globe and Mail reports on Kyrgyzstan’s position:
MOSCOW — The political climate of Central Asia has become so supportive of Uzbek President Islam Karimov that it’s impossible to criticize the killing of protesters in Andijan, the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister says.
In an interview, Roza Otunbayeva suggested that she doesn’t necessarily share the opinion of the leaders of Russia, China and Central Asian countries who will gather tomorrow for a meeting of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization.
Members of the group have closed ranks around Uzbekistan in the days before the meeting, declaring their support for Mr. Karimov and his bloody crackdown on May 13 that left hundreds of corpses in the streets.
Kyrgyzstan will remain silent on the issue. “We are very much committed to human rights,” Ms. Otunbayeva said. “But sometimes the realpolitik is very tough.”
