Govt 14 June closed border with Kyrgyzstan citing inability to cope with refugee influx, demanded international assistance. UNHCR mid-month estimated 100,000-120,000 ethnic Uzbeks from Kyrgyzstan, mostly women and children, fled to Uzbekistan. UNHCR pledged to send humanitarian aid sufficient for 75,000. International bodies, rights groups late month claimed govt forced refugees to return to Kyrgyzstan.

President Karimov 18 May signed amendment to penal code allowing offenders’ terms to be reduced by up to 1/3 if they repent. Move touted by govt as defending prisoners’ rights. Court late month handed down suspended jail terms and terms of up to 6 years in prison to 16 people, including prominent sports journalist Khairulla Khamidov, for setting up illegal religious group. Further stalemate in Uzbek-Tajik relations: govt late month continued delaying cargo to Tajikistan citing technical breakdowns.

Following ousting of Kyrgyz President Bakiyev in uprising, authorities mid-month tightened security in city of Andijon, site of 2005 massacre of peaceful anti-govt protesters. Andijon court 30 Apr sentenced recently returned former refugee Dilorom Abduqodirova to 10+ years for alleged role in 2005 events. Uzbek media ignored Kyrgyz uprising. President Karimov 20 Apr claimed Kyrgyz events created “illusion” of ease of overthrowing legitimate leadership. U.S. Gen. Petraeus 6 Apr visited country to discuss Northern Distribution Network. UNSG Ban 5 Apr met with President Karimov; pressed human rights issues. 24 men in north-eastern city of Jizak received 2-10 year sentences for religious extremism, attempts to overthrow constitutional order.

Reported string of arrests targeting major businessmen early month stoked speculation of intensifying govt crackdown on political, business rivals. 15 suspects of July-Aug attempted murder of Tashkent chief imam and murder of anti-terrorism officer sentenced 4 March to 15-18 years in prison. 26 soldiers put on military tribunal in Tashkent 10 March for membership in Islamic organization Nur. In sign of continuing Uzbek-Tajik tension, Tajikistan 23 March filed note of protest against Tashkent’s continuing blocking of over 1000 Tajikistan-bound freight trains, allegedly for technical reasons. Along Uzbek-Kyrgyz border: 2 civilians killed 4 and 28 March in incidents of reportedly illegal border crossing from Uzbekistan.

U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke completed Central Asia tour 17-21 Feb, stressing countries’ strategic role for war effort in Afghanistan. U.S. to resume military education program for Uzbekistan suspended after 2005 Andijan massacre. Closed trials began 11 Feb of 15 suspects of July-Aug attempted murder of Tashkent chief imam and murder of anti-terrorism officer; 25 men went on trial 16 Feb in north-eastern city Jizak for religious extremism. Court 10 Feb found artist Umida Ahmedova guilty of defamation against Uzbek nation for work presenting local customs.

Closed trials began of nearly 70 defendants 18 Jan in connection with July-Aug murders of Tashkent chief imam and anti-terrorism law enforcement officer. Series of incidents along disputed Uzbek-Kyrgyz border: 2 Kyrgyz border guards temporarily detained 2 Jan; 1 injured and detained after shootout between Kyrgyz-Uzbek guards 17 Jan. Public outcry, criticism from rights groups after govt 21 Jan charged popular journalist and commentator Khairulla Khamidov with illegally founding a religious organization; 23 Jan accused artist Umida Akhmedova of libel against Uzbek nation.

27 Dec parliamentary elections saw only candidates from 4 pro-govt parties running; polls criticised by international community as undemocratic, irrelevant. Rights groups reported increased harassment of activists ahead of elections. President Karimov visited Turkmenistan for 14 Dec inauguration of Turkmen-Chinese pipeline due to transport 10 bcm of Uzbek gas to China. In move to improve security cooperation, govt 5 Dec ratified extradition treaty with Turkmenistan, cooperation agreements between countries’ security, border agencies; 13 Dec signed protocol for facilitation of cross-border transit between two countries.

Tashkent 2 Nov announced possible energy cooperation with EU, 6 Nov reported agreement to export up to 10bn cubic meters of natural gas to China. Govt 25 Nov announced withdrawal from unified Central Asia power system, citing conflicts among member countries. 18 Nov declined to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organization meetings in Almaty. Opposition leader Sanjar Umarov reportedly freed 7 Nov after 4 years in jail in move seen as conciliatory gesture to West. Large Hizb-ut Tahrir cell exposed in Samarkand region 9 Nov; leading activists arrested.

Joint Afghan-international operation against Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan militants active in northern Afghanistan commenced 12 Sept. Third person died following 29 Aug shootout between security forces, gunmen in Tashkent, unknown number detained; authorities reported slain were terrorists. Trial began of suspects accused of involvement in May terror attacks. Following 8 Sept visit by ODIHR head, OSCE praised progress on rights, announced increased cooperation. Reports that EU and Uzbekistan normalized relations following mid-Sept meetings of FM Norov and EU External Relations Commissioner in Brussels. Citing unpaid debts, Uzbekistan suspended gas supplies to Tajikistan, 3 southern regions of Kyrgyzstan.