Under Karimov’s leadership, Uzbekistan has kept a friendly relationship with China.
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Karimov’s youngest daughter Lola wrote on Facebook that “he has left us…”
(AP Photo). People hold flowers as they gather along the road to watch the funeral procession of President Islam Karimov in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, early Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016.
State television showed soldiers loading a coffin onto a plane for what it described as Karimov’s final journey to Samarkand. Karimov has died of a stroke at age 78, the Uzbek government announced Friday.
Prime minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev has been designated mourner-in-chief at Karimov’s funeral, which is seen as a strong hint he might become the next president. He died on Friday after his heart stopped for a second time, the statement says, and a team of doctors – including foreign specialists – could not resuscitate him.
Three days of mourning are being observed.
Despite Karimov’s brutal record, Uzbekistan still receives U.S. aid and both Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian leader Vladimir Putin have jetted in for talks over the past year.
Long lambasted by rights groups as one of the region’s most brutal despots who ruthlessly stamped out opposition, Karimov was one of a handful of Soviet strongmen that clung to power after their homelands gained independence from Moscow in 1991.
“Only as the cortege drove by I realised who we had lost”, said Usmon, 55, a teacher.
Both Russia and Kazakhstan – as well as neighboring Kyrgyzstan – sent their prime ministers, not presidents, to the funeral.
Karimov’s passing is not only a huge loss to the Uzbek people, but also means that the Chinese people have lost a true friend, Li added.
I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family members, Government and the people of Uzbekistan.
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“As Uzbekistan begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to partnership with Uzbekistan, to its sovereignty, security, and to a future based on the rights of all its citizens”, the statement said.
