An Update on the Muslim Riots in Uzbekistan from CBS News, “U.S. Ally Fires On Its People”
ANDIJAN, Uzbekistan – President Islam Karimov claimed Saturday that authorities tried to negotiate a peaceful end to protests, but that troops were forced to open fire when insurgents who had seized a government building attempted to break through an advancing line of Uzbek police and soldiers.
He said 10 government troops and “many more” militants died in fighting Friday in the eastern city of Andijan. Relatives of the victims condemned the government, accusing troops of killing innocent civilians. Witnesses said 200 to 300 people were shot dead.
Soldiers loyal to Karimov, who has maintained tight control over this Central Asian nation, fired on thousands of demonstrators Friday to put down an uprising that began when armed men freed 2,000 inmates from prison, including suspects on trial for alleged Islamic extremism. The U.S. State Department expressed concern on Friday that members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, which is on the U.S. list of terrorist groups, were freed…