I don't seem to recall the British Empire bursting into tears every time someone suggested their methods were a little underhand.

I don't think that they had the Internet back then.

But of course, if Karimov, for all his nasty little habits, is classed as a friend of the US....

If indeed.

The month of October 2006 also saw a decrease in the isolation of Uzbekistan from the West. The EU announced that it was planning to send a delegation to Uzbekistan to talk about human rights and liberties, after a long period of hostile relations between the two. Although it is equivocal about whether the official or unofficial version of the Andijan Massacre is true, the EU is evidently willing to ease its economic sanctions against Uzbekistan. Nevertheless, it is generally assumed among Uzbekistan's population that the government will stand firm in maintaining its close ties with the Russian Federation and in its theory that the 2004–2005 protests in Uzbekistan were promoted by the USA and UK. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzbekistan

It's an interesting country, it's a long term goal of mine to take the Golden road to Samarkand. I'll have to get going soon though.

You can hardly blame them for being nice to the Russians, they're still strong in the Central Asian region and there's a lot still live there and, of course, the Ruskies having forsaken Communism have God on their side now so it doesn't really matter.

I've heard the women are very friendly...

I've heard the women are very friendly...

That IS interesting.

I have been there quite often and I must say that

1. Tashkent is one of the most depressing cities I have ever been.

2. Dogmeat is available for consumption, and yes very tasty.

3. Mafia is everywhere

4. Samarkand is very nice

5. People are friendly (as a total stranger in the smaller villages had many tea with the locals)

Nice looking, no I must say some very nice looking women, and not too expensive.....

I've pencilled it in for next year, my nephew is a crew member for the American entry, Puma, (our families dedication to the Socialist cause doesn't exclude us from accepting USD) in the next Volvo round the World yacht race, and they come into one of the southern Chinese ports.

I though if I could catch up with him there, it's only a bus trip from Chiang Rai , I could do a long considered train trip to the north west and cross into the Turkic countries from there.

Tashkent is one of the most depressing cities I have ever been.

and i thought you are a cultural connoisseur Alex i admit that some time has passed since i was in Tashkent the last time (1986) but then i found it fascinating (architecture, people, restaurants, Marlboro as taxi fare, a one-dollar bill provided excellent service, a ten-dollar bill generated miracles).

Oh yes Naam,all those old Soviet style stuff indeed fascinating. But then the "Greyness" of the place, the areas where the steel workers were housed, just the overall poverty, hopelessnes and colorless live out there, specially in winters. Tashkent that is.

I have travelled and worked extensively in the former USSR and the area of Eastern Europe and had great times there.

Now it all looks a lot nicer then let's say 20-30 years ago, so much better suited to visitors.

Samarkan for sure a must see, beautyfull place!

Sceadugenga, make sure you visit Tajikistan as well for a bit of "Roughness"