Uzbekistan, Tashkent, June 19 /Trend, D. Azizov/
U.S. stands for a full independent international investigation into the tragic events in the south of Kyrgyzstan, said U.S. Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Michael Posner, at press conference on Friday.
"I believe that such an investigation will not only determine who is responsible for what happened, but also to identify future steps we must take to ensure a stable and peaceful environment for the existence of the population living in the south of Kyrgyzstan," - said Posner.
"The United States is deeply concerned about the situation of violence in Kyrgyzstan. We condemn the killing and cruelty, and support of Uzbekistan and the UN in providing operational assistance to tens of thousands of refugees", - said U.S. State Department representative.
He said that he had visited two camps in the Fergana Valley together with U.S. Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake on Friday, where they had a chance to talk to many refugees.
"90 percent of people in these camps - women and children. They described very emotionally the tragic events that they had endured", - he said.
"We will urge the Kyrgyz government to take measures to create conditions that allow people to return and live in safety. This is what the refugees wanted", - said Michael Posner.
The U.S. Government stands ready to support the Government of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the Committee of the Red Cross in assisting refugees. He noted that Uzbekistan, according to available data, received 110,000 refugees from the neighbouring republic, 75,000 of whom are located in special camps and provided food and medical aid.
The original purpose of the U.S. delegation visit to Uzbekistan had a meeting with representatives of government and civil society in the ongoing dialogue on human rights issues, said an American diplomat.
Michael Posner has noted a number of areas in which the government has made progress - a decision, made last autumn, to allow Red Cross representatives to visit prisons, surrendering to the UN Universal Periodic Report on Human Rights, as well as efforts to strengthen parliament and experience exchange program with the U.S. Congress.