Uzbekistan's election sees turnout at 91 percent

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Uzbekistan's election sees turnout at 91 percent
| March 29, 2015 | Updated: March 29, 2015 12:35pm

MOSCOW (AP) — Uzbekistan's election commission said 91 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in Sunday's presidential election, where victory by longtime authoritarian leader Islam Karimov is a foregone conclusion.

The 77-year-old Karimov has led the former Soviet republic in Central Asia since the late 1980s and ruthlessly quashed all opposition to his rule.

While Uzbekistan is untroubled by any immediate signs of unrest, the future of the country of 30 million people is colored with uncertainty amid a troubled security situation in neighboring Afghanistan and the lack of a clear succession plan should Karimov suddenly leave office.

Economic woes could also be in store as a knock-on effect of the looming recession in Russia, where around 3 million Uzbeks live and work.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/world/article/High-turnout-as-Uzbekistan-votes-for-president-6166083.php

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George W Bush hosts Islam Karimov, who boils political prisoners alive.







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[Kelvin Mace]

1. In this country we can't get 91%

of the people to agree that oxgen is needed to breath.

[LiberalArkie]

2. Much like the old Soviet Union, I would imagine that is all done for you. They are so considerate.

[Kelvin Mace]

4. There are other Western countries which regularly

manage 80%+ in elections. Same statement applies.

[Duckhunter935]

3. "oxygen is needed to breath"

oxygen is not really needed to breath and I read that on the internet

[quadrature]

5. who here believes this story? ...nt

[47of74]

6. Jesus Christ, think what would've happened if we had 91% turnout.

We wouldn't have Senator Breadbags McCutyernutzoff here in Iowa. Most of the other teabag dipshits would be out of office.

[Little Tich]

7. I wonder who will win the election? nt.

[dddizzy]

8. Will USAID be expelled once again?

At least two countries (Russia and Bolivia) expelled the U.S. Agency for International Development for meddling into their internal affairs. Now they've become too active in Uzbekistan.

[img][/img]

Don't know if this is a real document. But some Central Asian countries should have some questions to ask.

[ColesCountyDem]

9. It would be nice to be able to actually read that. n/t

[dddizzy]

10. a bit clearer

It's seen a bit clearer opened in new tab. The letter runs,

"Dear Mr. Jonathan Stivers,

A report on cooperation with missions in the region is attached to the letter. It contains my detailed concerns over the action plan you have proposed."

And here's that report page with accentuation,

"leads to deteriorating of relations between the Mission leadership and Uzbek authorities who consider the Agency's actions as a direct attempt to get involved into sovereign affairs of the state. Consequently, Uzbekistan security services that previously participated in arranging the cooperation between USAID Missions in Asia are currently jeopardizing the Agency's strategy in the region. It is largely due to this fact that we have not achieved any significant results in the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan and completely failed in Tajikistan.

USAID leadership needs to make major changes to the plans of developing democratic society in Uzbekistan and take into account the above mentioned regional priorities. Otherwise we endanger the system of cooperation between regional departments which has Uzbekistan mission as its center, and that we have put a great deal of effort to create over the years.

Agency's performance in many of the Asian countries greatly depends on the sentiment in Tashkent. Rejection of the fact has cost the Agency many operational failures including the latest developments in Tajikistan, when our Mission found itself isolated by special services of Uzbekistan which made it impossible for us to affect the sequence of events.

Despite the obvious violations of human rights and freedoms in Uzbekistan USAID must tone down the rhetoric towards local authorities in order to achieve overarching aims and develop democratic society in entire region."