As became clear from Karimov’s statement today, Uzbekistan wishes to see Russia not only as a strategic partner but as an ally. Last time I heard of alliances being formed the campaigning for the war on terror was in full swing.

This statement thus looks like an official invitation to Russia to join UZB-led information war against the West. It seems like Russians never actually needed one anyway. They’ve been consistent throughout, from the very moment Andijon events were named a massacre up until the point the EU imposed sanctions, in that they have always considered the US and EU to use Andijon as an excuse to unfairly press the Uzbek government for democratic reforms.

To take some quotes by Russian government officials and “experts” on Central Asia:

Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov (RIA Novosti):

“We are convinced that the existing problems are better to be resolved not through the language of sanctions but by way of dialogue”

Head of the Council of Federation Foreign Affairs Committee Mikhail Margelov (RIA Novosti):

“I do not consider the introduction of sanctions against Uzbekistan by the EU and the cutback in US aid to be either timely or appropriate”

Leading expert of the Center for Current Politics Anatoly Belyayev (RIA Novosti):

“If democracy is established in Uzbekistan under the Western scenario, the effect is very likely to be the opposite: radical Islamization extending far beyond the boundaries of the republic”

Has there ever been a Russian scenario of democratization for Uzbekistan? Or any other alternative scenario, for that matter? I’ve never heard of one. Russia strikes me as having absolutely no coherent policy formulated for their former and the now regained domain. They don’t have much to offer except for the dubious prospect of “Eurasian integration”, a concept way too frequently abused and unlikely to be properly implemented under the existing circumstances.

Meanwhile, national newspapers like Narodnoe Slovo and Pravda Vostoka hastily fill the vacuum created by the absence of fake democratization news with articles praising the excellent service cotton has done in rendering our economy prosperous and independent from the evil Western countries. Local radio commentators keep stressing the fact that Uzbekistan is the second largest exporter of cotton in the world.

It will be quite natural then for Russians and Uzbeks to progress further yet from the present stage of “allied relations” and form a solid strategic alliance.

(There is a great post on that over at Registan.Net)