WASHINGTON – The Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission), Representative Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Co-Chairman Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) announced today that the Commission will hold a briefing entitled:
“Uzbekistan: Two Years after Andijon”
Friday, May 18, 2007
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Room 1100, Longworth House Office Building
Two years after hundreds of protesters were gunned down in Andijon, President Islam Karimov’s crackdown on civil society continues and U.S.-Uzbek relations are in a deep freeze. The briefing will focus on prospects for human rights observance and improving US-Uzbek relations. Attention will also be paid to the role of the European Union, which is scheduled to decide next week whether to renew, end or limit sanctions imposed after Andijon.
Testifying before the Commission will be:
Robert Templer, Director, Asia Program, International Crisis Group
Olga Oliker, Senior International Policy Analyst, the RAND Corporation
Daniel Kimmage, Central Asia analyst, RadioFree Europe/Radio Liberty
Other witnesses may be invited.
