Subject: Reponse to "Recent developments in the valley"
From: Richard Tracy (mciosh@imfiko.bishkek.su)
Date: Mon Nov 01 1999 - 11:09:00 EST
Hello to all,
I feel it is necessary to respond to some of the statements made by Alisher
Khamidov in his e-mail dated 26.10.99.
Alisher stated in his message that "barbed wire and border demarkation along
Uzbekistan-Kyrghyzstan borders is launched."
On the 28th of October I crossed the Uzbek border at Honobad. There is no
barbed wire there. There are preparations being made but one has to admit,
Uzbekistan is under threat and should prepare to defend itself.
I was able to cross the border because a special agreement had been reached
with the Uzbek Customs and Border guards. This agreement allows cars and
trucks displaying an authorized emblem to pass through in order to complete
construction of a 1.5 kilometer levee in Susak financed by USAID and
implemented by Mercy Corps International. This permission was granted on
the 14th of October.
Is this an example of a government that does not want to work with
Kyrgyzstan? Maybe at the national level this is a possibility but here at
the local level, we have experienced a great example of cooperation.
As for the visa issue for CIS residents, this is not new. I first heard of
this nearly 6 months ago. Rumors are rumors. What is your evidence that
there will be a law passed regarding this?
My last comment is that should the CIS visa become a reality and the
tightened border conditions continue this will not affect just the Uzbek
population of Kyrgyzstan. It will affect both the citizens of Kyrgyzstan
and Uzbekistan. Included in that population are Uzbeks, Kirigz, Russian and
many other nationalities.
I applaud Alisher's dedication to trying to keep people informed but feel
the need to balance what he has written with another view point. I welcome
any comments or questions that you might have.
RT
Richard E. Tracy
Southern Regional Manager
Mercy Corps International
3 Golubeva Street
Osh, Kyrgyzstan 714000
Phone/Fax: (3222) 5 54 86
5 69 51
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