#Uzbekistan an important partner in bringing peace, prosperity to Central Asia. Good discussion w/President Karimov. pic.twitter.com/Kae6v5F9Hy
— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) November 1, 2015
Karimov..Karimov.. Oh yes.
Independent human rights groups estimate that there are more than 600 politically motivated arrests a year in Uzbekistan, and 6,500 political prisoners, some tortured to death. According to a forensic report commissioned by the British embassy, in August two prisoners were even boiled to death.
The US condemned this repression for many years. But since September 11 rewrote America's strategic interests in central Asia, the government of President Islam Karimov has become Washington's new best friend in the region.
The US is funding those it once condemned. Last year Washington gave Uzbekistan $500m (£300m) in aid. The police and intelligence services - which the state department's website says use "torture as a routine investigation technique" received $79m of this sum.
As long as we're spreading peeance and freeance.