Kerry is touring ex-Soviet Central Asia to underline Washington’s continued commitment to the energy-rich region amid a drawdown in US forces in Afghanistan, a more assertive Russian Federation and the emergence of the Islamic State militant threat.
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Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Erlan Abdyldaev told reporters during a joint press conference with Kerry that the meeting was “devoted to important issues of bilateral cooperation and multilateral cooperation in between Kyrgyzstan and the U.S”. We are committing to hold another six forums and, with a new digital interactive component, expect to more than double participation at upcoming forums and expand youth participation. She was quickly ushered from the room by an Uzbek official and a member of the US diplomatic security.
US Secretary of State John Kerry tours the Registan cultural site in Samarkand on Sunday. Sanctions imposed in 2004 over human rights abuses were waived by the White House that year in recognition of Uzbekistan’s supporting role in the war in Afghanistan. That allowed Washington to resume military sales to Uzbekistan, and sanctions have since been waived annually. The State Department cites a litany of abuses including arbitrary arrest, torture, lack of privacy and human trafficking, while noting that no government officials have been prosecuted for human rights infractions.
Kerry, who on Saturday had a hard discussion on human rights with his Kyrgyz counterpart, has said he will not shy away from criticizing his hosts on his tour.
Asked about the prospect of the United States sending more troops, or getting drawn deeper into the conflict, Kerry said: “I can’t predict what the future will bring when our policy is to destroy Daesh, to fight back against this evil”.
A senior USA official travelling with Kerry said a recent election had been “very robust and competitive” and noted that eight parties are now represented in parliament. They also agreed to develop democratic institutions and show respect for global law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In public, Kerry was circumspect in his choice of language. Smart Waters is being implemented through the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC), a local NGO, to train a new generation of water managers – through both short-term professional development and a University-based Master of Science program – with the skills to maximize water’s overall value among stakeholders.
No one else mentioned human rights or democracy, but Kerry said economic projects are “closely related to the quality of governance and the strength of democratic institutions”.
Kerry, often generous in his praise of the leaders he is about to meet, appeared careful not to do so with Karimov.
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The notorious 77-year-old strongman, who has ruled Uzbekistan for a quarter century since its independence, met Kerry at the airport in thick fog. Even their lawyer was arrested, while a former presidential candidate is serving a 29-year prison term.
