Uzbekistan's involvement in the Tajik Civil War 1992-97: Domestic considerations

Central Asian Survey

Volumn 18, Issue 1, 1999, Pages 37-48

  Horsman, Stuart ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

CIVIL WAR; POLITICAL IDEOLOGY; REGIONAL POLITICS;

TAJIKISTAN; UZBEKISTAN;

EID: 0033010210     PISSN: 02634937     EISSN: None     Source Type: Trade Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/02634939995731     Document Type: Article

References (100)

1. This work covers the period up to December 1997. I would like to thank J. Grussendorf, University of Bradford, for her support in the writing of this paper.
2. See M. B. OlCott, Central Asia's New States: Independence, Foreign Policy, and Regional Security, US Institute for Peace, Washington, 1996, pp 120-128 and IX Carlisle, 'Geopolitics and ethnic problems of Uzbekistan and its neighbours' in Y. Ro'i, ed. Muslim Eurasia: Conflicting Legacies, Frank Cass, IIford, 1995, pp 83-86 for overviews of Tajikistan's politics and regional divisions.
3. See M. B. OlCott, Central Asia's New States: Independence, Foreign Policy, and Regional Security, US Institute for Peace, Washington, 1996, pp 120-128 and IX Carlisle, 'Geopolitics and ethnic problems of Uzbekistan and its neighbours' in Y. Ro'i, ed. Muslim Eurasia: Conflicting Legacies, Frank Cass, IIford, 1995, pp 83-86 for overviews of Tajikistan's politics and regional divisions.
4. Tashkent supported the political elevation of the Turkified Khojent clan during the early years of the Tajik SSR's history. In return, the Khojent 'recognised Uzbekistan's leading role in the region and made Tajikistan faithfully follow Uzbekistan's policies.' S. Gretsky, 'Civil War in Tajikistan: causes, development and prospects for peace', in R. Sagdeev and S. Eisenhower, eds. Central Asia, Conflict, Resolution, and Change CI'SS, Chevy Chase, 1995, pp 222-223.
5. Human Rights Watch/Helsinki (HRW/H), Tajikistan: Tajik Refugees in Northern Afghanistan, Vol 8, No 613, May 1996, p 5.
6. Sec M. Orr, 'The Russian Army and the War in Tajikistan' Conflict Studies Research Centre Paper K 21, February 1996.
7. OMRI Daily Digest No 20, Pt 1, 29/1/96. Khudaberdiyev claims that his actions were not co-ordinated with those of Boimatov; U. Pannier, 'Defining the "Third Force" ', Transitions, Vol 2, No 5, 21/3/97, p 44.
8. OMRI Daily Digest No 20, Pt 1, 29/1/96. Khudaberdiyev claims that his actions were not co-ordinated with those of Boimatov; U. Pannier, 'Defining the "Third Force" ', Transitions, Vol 2, No 5, 21/3/97, p 44.
9. Labyrinth, Vol 3, No 1, 1996, p 8.
10. RFE/RL Newsline, Vol 1, No 78, Pt 1, 22/7/97.
11. U. Pannier, 'A year of violence', Transitions, Vol 3, No 2, 7/2/97, p 97.
12. K. Alimov, 'Uzbekistan's foreign policy: in search of a strategy', in R. Sagdeev, and S. Eiscnhower, eds, op cit, p 187; and author's interviews, Tashkent, November 1996. The Collective Security Programme in Central Asia does, however, allow for intervention when regional stability is at stake. Quoted in R. Kangas, 'Taking the lead in Central Asian security', Transitions, Vol 2, No 9, 3/5/96, p 53.
13. K. Alimov, 'Uzbekistan's foreign policy: in search of a strategy', in R. Sagdeev, and S. Eiscnhower, eds, op cit, p 187; and author's interviews, Tashkent, November 1996. The Collective Security Programme in Central Asia does, however, allow for intervention when regional stability is at stake. Quoted in R. Kangas, 'Taking the lead in Central Asian security', Transitions, Vol 2, No 9, 3/5/96, p 53.
14. M. Orr. op cit, p 3.
15. Nezavismaya gazeta, 23/2/93, p 3. Quoted in M. B. Olcott, op cit, p 73, and K. Martin, 'Tajikistan: Civil War Without End', RFE/RL, Vol 2, No 33, p 22.
16. Nezavismaya gazeta, 23/2/93, p 3. Quoted in M. B. Olcott, op cit, p 73, and K. Martin, 'Tajikistan: Civil War Without End', RFE/RL, Vol 2, No 33, p 22.
17. Nezavismaya gazeta, 23/2/93, p 3. Quoted in M. B. Olcott, op cit, p 73, and K. Martin, 'Tajikistan: Civil War Without End', RFE/RL, Vol 2, No 33, p 22.
18. Slovo Kyrgyzstana, 20/1/95, p 2. SWB SU 2225 G 5, 1/2/95. Uzbekistan sent a battalion to this force. B. Brown, 'Central Asian states seek Russian help', Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Vol 2, No 28, 18/6/93, pp 86-87.
19. Slovo Kyrgyzstana, 20/1/95, p 2. SWB SU 2225 G 5, 1/2/95. Uzbekistan sent a battalion to this force. B. Brown, 'Central Asian states seek Russian help', Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Vol 2, No 28, 18/6/93, pp 86-87.
20. D. Straub, Uzbekistan's Intervention in Tajikistan, Unpublished paper, University of Minnesota, 1997, p 5.
21. Interfax, Moscow, 1506 GMT, 14/4/95, SWB SU 2279, G 2, 17/4/95.
22. ITAR-TASS Moscow, 2042 GMT, 1/4/95, SWB SU 2269, G 2, 4/4/95 and ITAR-TASS, Moscow, 1418 GMT, 4/1/95, SWH SU 2272, G 2, 7/4/95.
23. R. Kangas, op cit, p 54.
24. Ibid.
25. Labyrinth, op cit, p 8.
26. Voice of Free Tajikistan, 0300 GMT 1/5/97, SWB SU 2908, G 2, 2/5/97.
27. RFE/RL Newsline Vol 1, No 147; and Pt 1, 27/10/97
28. ; and RFE/RL Newsline, Vol 1, No 99, Pt 1, 20/8/97, and ITAR-TASS, 0910 GMT 27/10/97. FBIS-UMA-97-300. The unidentified groups may have been refugees returning from Afghanistan, via Uzbekistan.
29. Author's interviews, Tashkent, November 1996. Also sec OMRI, Daily Digest, No 192, Pt 1, 3/10/96.
30. G. Bourke, 'Enemy forces unite for final attack on Afghan leader', The Guardian, 11/3/94, p 15.
31. Salim Aiobzod, Interviewed by D. Straub, 1/3/97 and 4/3/97. Quoted in D. Straub, op cit, p 7; and I. Rotar, 'Tajikistan and the Russian Presidential Elections' Prism, Vol 11, Pt 2, July 1996.
32. Salim Aiobzod, Interviewed by D. Straub, 1/3/97 and 4/3/97. Quoted in D. Straub, op cit, p 7; and I. Rotar, 'Tajikistan and the Russian Presidential Elections' Prism, Vol 11, Pt 2, July 1996.
33. Salim Aiobzod, Interviewed by D. Straub, 1/3/97 and 4/3/97. Quoted in D. Straub, op cit, p 7; and I. Rotar, 'Tajikistan and the Russian Presidential Elections' Prism, Vol 11, Pt 2, July 1996.
34. K. Gannnon, 'Afghanistan's worried neighbours helping anti-Taliban alliance1, Associated Press, 17/4/97.
35. The BBC World Service, 0015 GMT 19/9/97.
36. S. Jurayev, Member of the Progress of the Homeland Party (Vatan Taraqqiyoto Partiyasi). Interview with the author, Tashkent, 16/11/96. Also see P. Petersen, 'Security in post-Soviet Central Asia', European Security, Vol 1, No 1, 1995, p 134.
37. S. Jurayev, Member of the Progress of the Homeland Party (Vatan Taraqqiyoto Partiyasi). Interview with the author, Tashkent, 16/11/96. Also see P. Petersen, 'Security in post-Soviet Central Asia', European Security, Vol 1, No 1, 1995, p 134.
38. D. Carlisle, op cit, for the regional divisions of Uzbekistan and their political implications.
39. See S. Horsman, 'The Tajiks in the contemporary politics of Uzbekistan', in K. Cordell, ed., Ethnicity and Democratisation in the New Europe, Routledge, London, 1999; and J. Mirsaidov, Letter to the UN Secretary General Boutros Ghali, 2/10/93.
40. See S. Horsman, 'The Tajiks in the contemporary politics of Uzbekistan', in K. Cordell, ed., Ethnicity and Democratisation in the New Europe, Routledge, London, 1999; and J. Mirsaidov, Letter to the UN Secretary General Boutros Ghali, 2/10/93.
41. I. Bremmer and R. Taras, eds, Nations and Politics in the Soviet Successor States, CUP, Cambridge, 1993, p 559.
42. See J. Mirsaidov, for domestic criticism. Quoted in A. Polat, 'Political prisoners in Uzbekistan: five pardoned, eight on trial', Central Asian Monitor, No 6, 1994, p 36.
43. See J. Mirsaidov, for domestic criticism. Quoted in A. Polat, 'Political prisoners in Uzbekistan: five pardoned, eight on trial', Central Asian Monitor, No 6, 1994, p 36.
44. S. Akiner, 'Conflict, stability and development in Central Asia', in C. J. Dicks ed., Instabilities in Post-Communist Europe, Carmichcal & Sweet, Portsmouth, 1996, p 13.
45. S. L. Clark, The Central Asian Slates: Defining Security Priorities and Developing Military Forces, Institute for Defense Analyses, Alexandra, 1993, p 22.
46. K. Alimov, op cit, pp 191-192.
47. RFE/RI. Newsline Vol 1, No 81. Pt 81, 25/7/97.
48. A. Bohr, Uzbekistan: Politics and Foreign Policy, RUA, London, 1998, p 53.
49. M. B. Olcott. op cit, p 121.
50. J Schoeberlein-Engel, The prospects for Uzbek national identity', Central Asian Monitor, No 2, 1996, p 12.
51. ITAR-TASS, 4/1/97. OMRI Daily Digest No 3 Pt 1 6/1/97.
52. R. Kangas, 'Imposing order on Uzbekistan', Transitions, Vol 2, No 18, 6/10/96 p 26.
53. F. Starr, 'Making Eurasia stable', Foreign Affairs, Vol 75, No. 1, 1996, p 83.
54. J. Schoeberlein-Engel, op cit, p 19.
55. I. Karimov, interview with Trud, 26/5/93. SWB SU 1713, B 8, 12/6/93.
56. I. Karimov, interview with Komsomol'skaya pravda. Quoted in ITAR-TASS, World Service 1131 GMT, 12/2/93, SWB SU 1616, B4 18/2/93.
57. G. Hidoyatov, 'Sovereignty and Democracy arc Inseparable', Jahon, October 1996, p 2.
58. See I. Karimov interview with Interfax, Rossiyskike Vesti, 24/5/94, p 3.
59. R. Akhmedov, Uzbekistan TV, 0500 GMT, 15/1/95. SWB SU 2204 G 2 18/1/95.
60. B. Brown, Tajik civil war prompts crackdown in Uzbekistan', RFE/RL, Vol 2, No II, 12/3/93, p 3.
61. Ibid.
62. L. Usmanov, Will the Islamic factor determine the country's future, Nezavisimaya gazeta, 6/1/94. Current Digest of Post Soviet Press (CDPSP) Vol XLV, No 1, p 17.
63. OMRI Daily Digest, Pt 1 No 5, 8/1/97.
64. B. Brown, op cit, p 5. Birlik and Erk were unable to register, in 1993, because they lacked headquarters. The former's base was simply confiscated by the authorities, whilst the latter's was declared a fire hazard and closed, thus preventing registration. A. Bichel, 'Political parties in Turkestan Republics', BITIG, January 1997, p 6.
65. B. Brown, op cit, p 5. Birlik and Erk were unable to register, in 1993, because they lacked headquarters. The former's base was simply confiscated by the authorities, whilst the latter's was declared a fire hazard and closed, thus preventing registration. A. Bichel, 'Political parties in Turkestan Republics', BITIG, January 1997, p 6.
66. Rossiyskaya gazeta, 2/12/92. SWB SU 1588 B 4, 8/12/92.
67. See B. Brown, op cit, p 4 and A. Polat, 'Central Asian security forces against their dissidents in exile', in R. Sagdeev, and S. Eiscnhower, eds, op cit, pp 202-204, for discussion on this incident.
68. See B. Brown, op cit, p 4 and A. Polat, 'Central Asian security forces against their dissidents in exile', in R. Sagdeev, and S. Eiscnhower, eds, op cit, pp 202-204, for discussion on this incident.
69. Interfax, Moscow 1903 GMT, 11/12/92. SWB SU 1570, B6, 22/12/92.
70. B Brown, op cit, p 4.
71. M. Haghayeghi, Islam and Politics in Central Asia, Macmillan, Basingstoke, 1995, pp 196-197. Also see J. Schocberlein-Eingel, op cit, p 19.
72. M. Haghayeghi, Islam and Politics in Central Asia, Macmillan, Basingstoke, 1995, pp 196-197. Also see J. Schocberlein-Eingel, op cit, p 19.
73. For further renunciations by Samarkand of territorial ambitions see J. Mirsaidov, Letter to the UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali, p 1, and I. Rotar, 'A mine laid by the Kremlin mapmakers', Nezavisimaya gazeta, 25/12/92, pp 1 and 3. CDPSP Vol XLV, No I, p 7.
74. For further renunciations by Samarkand of territorial ambitions see J. Mirsaidov, Letter to the UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali, p 1, and I. Rotar, 'A mine laid by the Kremlin mapmakers', Nezavisimaya gazeta, 25/12/92, pp 1 and 3. CDPSP Vol XLV, No I, p 7.
75. See B. Brown, op cit, and S. Morsman, op cit.
76. See B. Brown, op cit, and S. Morsman, op cit.
77. See M. Shepherd, 'Intervention in Central Asia', Perspective on Central Asia, Vol 8, No 3, 1997, p 3.
78. Author's interview. Tashkent, 4/11/96.
79. HRW/H Uzbekistan: Persistent Human Rights Violations and Prospects for Improvements, Vol 8, No 5(D), p 2.
80. The Wall Street Journal 6/11/92. Quoted in B. Brown, op cit, p 4.
81. The Wall Street Journal 6/11/92. Quoted in B. Brown, op cit, p 4.
82. HRW/H Op cit, p 5.
83. Segodnya, 30/1/96, p 3, SWB SU 2524 G2, 1/2/96.
84. Segodnya, op cit; and I. Rotar, op cit, p 5.
85. Segodnya, op cit; and I. Rotar, op cit, p 5.
86. A. Usmanov, 'Russia's potential is not limitless', Nezavisimaya gazeta, 22/1/97.
87. These echo similar historical apprehensions of Uzbek hegemony. See for example D. Carlisle 'Soviet Uzbekistan: state and nation in historical perspective', in B. B. Manz, ed., Central Asia in Historical Perspective, Wcstview Press, Boulder, 1994, pp 116-121.
88. K. Alimov, op cit, p 187.
89. A. Arapov and I. Umanskii, 'Asianism: the external and internal manifestations of othnopolitics in Central Asia', Russian Law and Politics, p 32; Yusuf Awullayev, Uzbekistan's Ambassador to the USA, ITAR-TASS, Moscow, World Service, 1248 GMT, 17/3/93. SWB SU 1642, B 13; and author's interviews, Tashkent, November 1996.
90. A. Arapov and I. Umanskii, 'Asianism: the external and internal manifestations of othnopolitics in Central Asia', Russian Law and Politics, p 32; Yusuf Awullayev, Uzbekistan's Ambassador to the USA, ITAR-TASS, Moscow, World Service, 1248 GMT, 17/3/93. SWB SU 1642, B 13; and author's interviews, Tashkent, November 1996.
91. A. Arapov and I. Umanskii, 'Asianism: the external and internal manifestations of othnopolitics in Central Asia', Russian Law and Politics, p 32; Yusuf Awullayev, Uzbekistan's Ambassador to the USA, ITAR-TASS, Moscow, World Service, 1248 GMT, 17/3/93. SWB SU 1642, B 13; and author's interviews, Tashkent, November 1996.
92. See for example J. Mirsaidov, Predsedateliu HRW/II gospoodinu Dzonatanu Fentonu, 9/11/96 p 1.
93. Uzbek TV, 1630 GMT, 6/4/96, SWB SU 2275, G 8, 11/4/95 and R. Kangas, op cit, p 52.
94. Uzbek TV, 1630 GMT, 6/4/96, SWB SU 2275, G 8, 11/4/95 and R. Kangas, op cit, p 52.
95. R. Woolf, The Armed Forces of the Former Soviet Union: Evolution, Structure and Personalities, Vol 2, Pt 1, Brassey's, London, 1996.
96. R. Kangas, op cit, p 53.
97. Ibid.
98. D. Carlisle, op cit, p 91.
99. See I. Karimov, Uzbekistan: The Road of Independence and Progress, Uzbekistan, Tashkent, 1992.
100. B. Brown, op cit, p 6.