Deltanine

The brutal put-down of an uprising in Uzbekistan which has left hundreds dead and thousands more wounded has prompted a devastating response from world leaders.

The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent said that "American citizens in Andijan are encouraged to stay off the streets." The White House said "We have had concerns about human rights in Uzbekistan, but we are concerned about the outbreak of violence, particularly by some members of a terrorist organization that were freed from prison. The people of Uzbekistan want to see a more representative and democratic government, but that should come through peaceful means, not through violence. And that's what our message is." Harsh! (blaming the protestors for forcing the government to shoot them).

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said that as the UK approaches its presidency of the European Union, it will use the collective weight of that body to urge the Uzbek government to deal with what he called "patent failings in respect of human and civil rights." That's tough! (Well, it will be one day. Maybe.)

Putin's reaction was swift and decisive - he said the situation posed a "threat to the stability of Central Asia."

Uzbekistan hosts a key U.S. airbase on the border with Afghanistan. With large gas and oil reserves, Uzbekistan is self-sufficient in energy. It is also among the world's top 10 gold producers and the number five cotton producer.

(source for reactions - CNN)