USA: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY JACK STRAW CALLS FOR AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO UZBEK KILLINGS
Record ID:
222814
USA: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY JACK STRAW CALLS FOR AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO UZBEK KILLINGS
- Title: USA: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY JACK STRAW CALLS FOR AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO UZBEK KILLINGS
- Date: 20th May 2005
- Summary: (W4) WASHINGTON, D.C. USA (MAY 18, 2005) (REUTERS) 1. BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY JACK STRAW WALKING INTO PRESS CONFERENCE 2. VARIOUS OF AUDIENCE 3. WIDE SHOT OF STRAW ONSTAGE 4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) JACK STRAW, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY SAYING: "The position is straightforward that when the Prime Minister and I signed that constitutional treaty last October, we agreed on behalf of the United Kingdom that we would seek immediate ratification, and in our case that is by referendum and the bill for that will be going to parliament for its first reading next week. That remains a clear obligation unless and until that is changed by the European Council. There are many predictions about what may, may not happen in the French referendum. The answer I give as to what I think will happen is the same as what I gave throughout the general election. There's only one poll that matters and that's the poll when voters go to the ballot box and fill in the form, put a cross next to their choice. Until then, I think it's just idle speculation." 5. VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS 6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) STRAW SAYING: "We need to see action urgently to address the appalling events in Uzbekistan. I therefore call on President Karimov to agree to full and immediate access to Andizhan for non-governmental agencies and diplomats on the ground, and to take action to address the root causes of the discontent and to develop a much more open and pluralistic society in Uzbekistan. And I call now for an independent international inquiry to find out why the killings happened, the nature of the killings, and who was responsible. That means a credible and transparent investigation with for example the involvement of appropriate international bodies. The form of the inquiry obviously, is for discussion. But it must have credibility in the eyes of the international community and the Uzbek people." 7. VARIOUS OF REPORTERS 8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) STRAW SAYING: "There's nothing changed in our position. Reference to the Security Council remains an option if these negotiations fail and Iran is in breach of its obligations and undertakings. Indeed, one of the reasons for having the negotiations is to avoid that. and try and resolve matters in a different way. But I may say too, that what we have decided as a possibility in terms of security council reference, but also its part of the MPT statute arrangements that matters can end up before the Security Council." 9. WIDE SHOT OF STRAW AT PODIUM; STRAW WALKING OUT 3.23 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 4th June 2005 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C. UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA6GL7L2OE1OCBHCTD0KREM2VTT
- Story Text: Straw calls for independent inquiry into Uzbek
killings.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is calling for
an independent international inquiry into the reported
killings of hundreds of people in Uzbekistan.
In Washington on Wednesday (May 18, 2005) Straw said an
inquiry would have to address how the killings happened and
who was responsible.
"We need to see action urgently to address the
appalling events in Uzbekistan. I therefore call on
President Karimov to agree to full and immediate access to Andizhan
for non-governmental agencies and diplomats on the
ground, and to take action to address the root causes of
the discontent and to develop a much more open and
pluralistic society in Uzbekistan."
"And I call now for an independent international
inquiry to find out why the killings happened, the nature
of the killings, and who was responsible. That means a
credible and transparent investigation with for example the
involvement of appropriate international bodies. The form
of the inquiry obviously, is for discussion. But it must
have credibility in the eyes of the international community
and the Uzbek people."
Witnesses said they saw troops shoot hundreds of people
in the town of Andizhan. Authorities have blamed the
killings in the eastern town on Muslim rebels, but
witnesses said some 500 people, including women and
children, were gunned down by security forces who opened
fire on protesters last Friday (May 13).
Asked about Britain's position on the EU constitution,
Straw said the UK is stands by its obligation to ratify the
constitution.
"The position is straightforward that when the Prime
Minister and I signed that constitutional treaty last
October, we agreed on behalf of the United Kingdom that we
would seek immediate ratification, and in our case that is
by referendum and the bill for that will be going to
parliament for its first reading next week. That remains a
clear obligation unless and until that is changed by the
European Council. There are many predictions about what
may, may not happen in the French referendum. The answer I
give as to what I think will happen is the same as what I
gave throughout the general election. There's only one
poll that matters and that's the poll when voters go to the
ballot box and fill in the form, put a cross next to their
choice. Until then, I think it's just idle speculation."
Straw is in Washington for bi-lateral talks held on
Tuesday (May 17) with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The main topic on the agenda was European talks with Tehran
scheduled to take place early next week. Straw underscored
the UK's commitment to negotiations on ending sensitive
Iranian nuclear activities but also expressed confidence
they and their European allies would act together if the
issue were to go to the U.N. Security Council.
"There's nothing changed in our position. Reference
to the Security Council remains an option if these
negotiations fail and Iran is in breach of its obligations
and undertakings. Indeed, one of the reasons for having
the negotiations is to avoid that. and try and resolve
matters in a different way. But I may say too, that what
we have decided as a possibility in terms of security
council reference but also its part of the MPT statute
arrangements that matters can end up before the Security
Council."
Tehran says its nuclear program is intended only for
power generation, but Washington says Iran is developing
nuclear weapons and the Europeans want guarantees Iran will
not develop arms under the cover of the nuclear program.
Talks next week between Britain, Germany, France and
Iran will address Tehran's threat to resume some activity
related to enriching uranium, which the Europeans have
warned would force them to support Washington in taking
Security Council action.
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