Osh/Brussels, 29 April 2003: The controversial decision by the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to hold its Annual Meeting in Tashkent should not be wasted.
It is an opportunity to assess frankly and honestly the records of the governments of
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the host, Uzbekistan.
A briefing paper published today by the International Crisis Group (ICG),
Central Asia: Last Chance for Change*, says the chance must be grasped to push for reform in a more
coordinated and concerted way. If it is not, and if any impression is left that the location of
meeting is a mark of approval for Uzbekistan's current policies, there is a major risk of further
deterioration in both the economic and security climate in Central Asia.
ICG Vice President Alain Deletroz said: "Reforms in all these countries have been
slow mainly because of the politicians who inherited command at the fall of the Soviet Union. Their
grasp on power and lack of will to foster changes is the first reason for the economic chaos in which
a country like Uzbekistan is stuck. The EBRD meeting is a unique chance to send a clear message to
the host government on the necessity to move quickly on economic and democratic reforms. If it does
not move there is potential for dangerous social explosions in this most populated Central Asian
country".
ICG's Central Asia Project Director David Lewis said: "Rather than enjoying the
transition to democracy and open economies as experienced in much of Central Europe, in Uzbekistan
and elsewhere in Central Asia, a different type of political and economic system has begun to emerge,
closer to authoritarian feudalism than democracy".
Central Asia's economies have remained largely closed to competition and frequently
distorted by government intervention and corruption. This is seldom recognised by the international
community, which has too often taken rhetoric about democratisation and reform at face value.
The region's apparent stability is a dangerously thin veneer over multiple
unresolved tensions. Problems such as unrepresentative, rigid political structures, failure to
cooperate across borders, vulnerability to the growth of extremist groups and organised crime must
be addressed.
Investors and international agencies must also take some responsibility for the
corruption common across the region. Western states have too seldom been willing to speak out about
political repression or high-level corruption. The EBRD is no exception to this mixed record for
international engagement, which has in turn led to profound disappointment with the West in much of
the region and a growing disenchantment with democracy as a political system.
Central Asia's problems are not simply economic, but also political. ICG's briefing
makes practical suggestions for improvement and calls on the international community to develop a
joint strategy with the EBRD to push for serious reform, with measurable benchmarks and conditions
on aid to promote change.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Katy Cronin (London) +44-(0)20 7981 0330
email: [email protected]
Francesca Lawe-Davies (Brussels) +32-(0)2-536 00 65
Jennifer Leonard (Washington) +1-202-785 1601
*Read the full ICG report on our website:
www.crisisweb.org
