FM 16 Sept called for end to temporarily suspended EU visa ban and lifting of sanctions imposed after 2005 Andijon massacre, prior to scheduled Oct EU FMs review. Former intelligence officer claiming President Karimov ordered massacres sought asylum in UK 1 Sept. Parliament 12 Sept amended criminal code to allow only officially sanctioned lawyers to participate as defence attorneys in trials. Russian PM Putin during visit 2 Sept announced new gas pipeline linked to Russia and Turkmenistan.

Media, rights groups accused govt of under- reporting deaths, suppressing coverage of 10 July munitions base explosion in Kagan, which official figures say killed 3. Govt now claims blast caused by accidental fire; dismissed terrorism. 2 journalists, 1 rights activist arrested 5 Aug, Samarkand, for “hooliganism”. Govt 19 Aug made first of several promised aid deliveries for South Ossetia (see Georgia).

Fire and explosions 9-10 July at Kagan military base near Bukhara: officials said 3 dead, 21 injured;eyewitnesses reported extensive casualties. Authorities investigating incident as terrorist attack. RFE/RL contributor Toshpulat Yuldasev fled to Kyrgyzstan citing fear in face of increased govt pressure. President Karimov 8 July ratified UN protocol on preventing human trafficking. Human Rights Watch warned its Uzbek office faced closure due to continued bureaucratic obstruction.

Rights groups condemned 9 June EU- Tashkent press freedom seminar, alleged extensive govt abuses: journalist Abdurakhmonov arrested 7 June on drugs charges; RFE/RL Uzbek service threatened on state TV. News, opposition websites launched campaign late month against govt block. U.S. 18 June froze accounts of 2 Islamic Jihad Union leaders over 2004 Uzbek bombings and planned attacks on U.S. targets. Political prisoner Odilov released 4 June, activist Tojiboeva 2 June; latter alleged prison torture.

Govt continued to reject UN calls for inquiry into Andijon massacre as 3-year anniversary passed 13 May. In further realignment away from Russia, govt signed energy agreement with Malaysian state firm 13 May granting access to 3 Ustyurt Plateau fields, area of longstanding Gazprom interest. Rights activist Mutabar Tojiboyeva, imprisoned after Andijon, won Martin Ennals human rights award 15 May.

At 2-4 Apr NATO Bucharest summit, President Karimov authorised NATO rail access to Afghanistan; called for new “6+3” process, adding NATO to U.S., Russia, neighbouring countries group to increase Afghanistan stability. Dissident poet Yusuf Juma sentenced 15 Apr to 5 years forced labour for Dec 2007 protest against Karimov. Uzbek arrested in Kazakhstan 20 Apr in connection with 2005 Andijon massacre. EU foreign ministers voted 29 Apr to suspend visa ban on Uzbek officials for further 6 months; pledged review in July.

U.S. Ambassador Richard Norland 13 March praised “small but significant” human rights progress. Tashkent permitted ICRC prison visits to resume after 3-year post- Andijon break. Uzbekistan to allow limited U.S. use of Termez airbase for NATO operations in Afghanistan. Turkmen President Berdymukhammedov met President Karimov 10-11 March in first official Tashkent visit; signed cooperation agreements.

Gulnara Karimova appointed deputy FM 1 Feb, seen as preparation for her to eventually replace father President Karimov. He met Russian President Putin 6 Feb in first trip abroad post-Dec election, agreed to expand cooperation. 4 human rights activists (S. Zainabiddinov, U. Niazova, K. Bazarbaev, I. Hamroev) granted amnesties in advance of EU 5 Feb cooperation committee visit.

President Karimov sworn in 16 Jan following flawed 23 Dec election contravening constitutional bar on third term. Head of U.S. Central Command Admiral William Fallon met Karimov 24 Jan: first visit by senior U.S. official in over 2 years. Gas supplies to Tajikistan reduced in payment delays dispute 24 Jan. 2 major UK retailers announced boycott of clothing made from Uzbek cotton.

Islom Karimov won 23 December presidential elections, despite constitutional ban on third term in office. Official figures gave Karimov 88.1% of vote, with 90.6% turnout. Security stepped up ahead of poll. Police presence increased, websites blocked, international news agencies denied accreditation to cover vote. Limited OSCE observation mission condemned absence of genuine political competition and free media. Other 3 candidates widely considered Karimov loyalists. Human rights group reported third death since November due to alleged torture in Andijon prison. Poet and government critic Yusuf Juma reported missing after protest outside office of Bukhara mayor 13 December.