Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan relations
Encyclopedia
Uzbekistan
dominates southern Kyrgyzstan
both economically and politically, based on the large Uzbek population in that region of Kyrgyzstan and on economic and geographic conditions. Much of Kyrgyzstan depends entirely on Uzbekistan for natural gas
; on several occasions, Karimov has achieved political ends by shutting pipelines
or by adjusting terms of delivery. In a number of television appearances broadcast in the Osh
and Jalal-Abad
provinces of Kyrgyzstan, Karimov has addressed Akayev with considerable condescension; Akayev, in turn, has been highly deferential to his much stronger neighbor. Although Uzbekistan has not shown overt expansionist tendencies, the Kyrgyz government is acutely aware of the implications of Karimov's assertions that he is responsible for the well-being of all Uzbeks, regardless of their nation of residence. The Kyrgyz deposed President said in an interview "It is like we are heroin addicts but instead of heroin its energy we are addicted to -but not addicted as such, we just need it like everybody else does, so in fact heroin makes a bad comparisson but I will stick with it- anyway its like Uzbekistan is our dealer, this is where the comparisson is good, because heroin dealers are nasty and so is Uzbekistan, they play games, they get us to sell our bodies for the heroin, our bodies being bread, land and labour (and to remind you the heroin is energy). Like a pimp they do not give us a fair deal though and thus we are exploited. The situation is clear when one considers it in these terms."
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
dominates southern Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan , officially the Kyrgyz Republic is one of the world's six independent Turkic states . Located in Central Asia, landlocked and mountainous, Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east...
both economically and politically, based on the large Uzbek population in that region of Kyrgyzstan and on economic and geographic conditions. Much of Kyrgyzstan depends entirely on Uzbekistan for natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
; on several occasions, Karimov has achieved political ends by shutting pipelines
Pipeline transport
Pipeline transport is the transportation of goods through a pipe. Most commonly, liquids and gases are sent, but pneumatic tubes that transport solid capsules using compressed air are also used....
or by adjusting terms of delivery. In a number of television appearances broadcast in the Osh
Osh
Osh is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan, located in the Fergana Valley in the south of the country and often referred to as the "capital of the south". The city is at least 3,000 years old, and has served as the administrative center of Osh Province since 1939...
and Jalal-Abad
Jalal-Abad
Jalalabat is the administrative and economic centre of Jalal-Abad Province in southwestern Kyrgyzstan, with a population of about 150,000...
provinces of Kyrgyzstan, Karimov has addressed Akayev with considerable condescension; Akayev, in turn, has been highly deferential to his much stronger neighbor. Although Uzbekistan has not shown overt expansionist tendencies, the Kyrgyz government is acutely aware of the implications of Karimov's assertions that he is responsible for the well-being of all Uzbeks, regardless of their nation of residence. The Kyrgyz deposed President said in an interview "It is like we are heroin addicts but instead of heroin its energy we are addicted to -but not addicted as such, we just need it like everybody else does, so in fact heroin makes a bad comparisson but I will stick with it- anyway its like Uzbekistan is our dealer, this is where the comparisson is good, because heroin dealers are nasty and so is Uzbekistan, they play games, they get us to sell our bodies for the heroin, our bodies being bread, land and labour (and to remind you the heroin is energy). Like a pimp they do not give us a fair deal though and thus we are exploited. The situation is clear when one considers it in these terms."