Billmon on Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, which became an independent state in 1991, has retained much of its Soviet legacy. It has no independent political parties, no free and fair elections, and no independent news media. Torture and police brutality are widespread. Most vulnerable are political dissidents and religious Muslims who worship outside state controls.

Human Rights Watch
U.S. Cautioned on New Ally
October 4, 2001

It was my pleasure to bring to President [Karimov] the greetings of President Bush and also to extend to him our thanks for all the support we have received from Uzbekistan in pursuing this campaign against terrorism in Afghanistan and elsewhere throughout the world as well. They have been an important member of this coalition against terrorism, and I’m sure they will continue to be so in the future.

Colin Powell
Joint Press Conference with Karimov
December 8, 2001