Washington and the 'great game' in central Asia

Contemporary Review, May, 2002 by Alec Rasizade

Given that the US build-up is coming at a time when the anti-terrorism operations in Afghanistan are moving into the reconstruction phase, it appears likely that the US military is settling in for an extended stay in Central Asia. Local analysts say that with Russia's grip on the region loosening, the United States is aiming to check the expansion of Chinese influence in the region. Besides, both the two smaller states, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, are hoping that Western engagement will successfully overlay intra-regional tensions, specifically those caused by Uzbekistan. The lucrative possibilities of extending the oil and gas pipeline systems to the markets of southern Asia may also tempt the US to maintain some sort of security presence east of the Caspian Sea (see Contemporary Review, July 2001, p.21).

Three Challenges Facing the USA in Central Asia

At the risk of simplification, I would suggest that there are three fundamental challenges that will confront the United States in Central Asia, which pertain to local politics, public welfare and regional security.

Thanks to Soviet rule, Central Asia boasts one of the most literate Muslim populations anywhere, and is ruled by secular governments. But these also were left with a heritage of authoritarianism, corruption and disrespect for law and human rights that persists to this day. We are only gradually coming to appreciate the seriousness of endemic problems in Central Asia. It is important that we recognize this, and apply the same standards to all, rather than selectively, according to who happens to be in favour in Washington at the moment. Bluntly, we cannot nod at authoritarianism in Central Asia and preach against it in Russia.

Critics believe that the Bush administration is prepared to turn a blind eye to human rights abuses in Central Asian countries in return for their support. The Human Rights Watch organization in New York cautioned the US government against double standards when it comes to combating terrorism: 'One of the things that we have been constant and very watchful and mindful of since September 11 is this kind of double-standards policy in relation to human rights. Whereas the Afghanistan regime was held accountable for absolutely everything that it had failed to do to uphold human rights, all of a sudden, in military strategic interests, governments like the governments of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and so on suddenly became acceptable allies. Even the Russian government's own performance within Chechnya [became] acceptable, or definitely was not put under the scrutiny that we feel it should have faced'.

Karimov has justified his political repressions by the threat posed by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. Now that its leader Juma Namangani is presumed dead, Karimov says his regime is threatened by another Islamic movement known as the Hizb-ut-Tahrir, or Party of Islamic Liberation, which advocates the creation of a Caliphate in the Fergana Valley. Although party members claim they want to attain their political objectives by peaceful means, they are being harassed by authorities in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and even in Azerbaijan, where law-enforcement agencies last year claimed they had uncovered underground cells plotting against the state. Human rights groups believe that Karimov still holds an estimated 7000 political prisoners.