Helsinki Commission to Hold Briefing on Crisis in Uzbekistan

WASHINGTON – Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Chairman of the United States Helsinki Commission, announced that the Commission will hold a briefing to discuss the crisis in Uzbekistan. Given recent events, this briefing will examine policy options for Washington and Tashkent, as well as the causes of the current crisis, the history of the regime, including its record of human rights abuses, and its relationship to the United States. The briefing will tap the resources of experts and a representative of the Slovenian OSCE Chair-in-Office to discuss possible approaches to the Uzbek crisis and what role the United States may be able to play in stabilizing Uzbekistan, and improving the prospects for human rights and democracy in that country.

UNREST IN UZBEKISTAN: CRISIS AND PROSPECTS
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
138 Dirksen Senate Office Building

The featured panelists will be:

H.E. Samuel Žbogar
Ambassador, Republic of Slovenia
Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office

Mr. Michael Cromartie
Commissioner
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Dr. Martha Brill Olcott
Senior Associate
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Dr. Abdurahim Polat
Chairman
Birlik Party

Mr. Daniel Kimmage
Central Asia Regional Analyst
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty