UK diplomat loses job after criticizing Uzbekistan regime

[dArKeR]

Britain's suspended ambassador to Uzbekistan described human rights abuse in the Central Asian state as "brutal," and argued that his outspoken criticism of it had embarrassed London and cost him his job, in an interview published yesterday.

"Very little can prepare you for the brutality and viciousness of the Karimov regime," Craig Murray told the Daily Telegraph, referring to Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

The Foreign Office said last week that Murray, the ambassador for more than two years, was being withdrawn "for operational reasons," not as a disciplinary action.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/10/24/2003208201