Translation of Bahadir Namazov’s post

Typography street of Samarkand experiences authorities’ new idea of reconstruction.

During the 1980s, private entrepreneurs built their privately-owned  shops on this street.  Since independence they have been repeatedly compelled by city authorities to renovate so as not to “spoil” the look of the ancient city, in 1991, 2002, and 2005.

U.Barnoev, a new head of Samarkand province, was appointed recently. He hasn’t become an exception and decided to follow up the same tendencies as his predecessors did. Of course not just because of him being so attentive to city’s infrastructure.

Construction and reconstruction is one of the main sources of authorities’ unofficial income in Uzbekistan and in Samarkand in particularly. The times of altruism are over; our reality is mercantilism.

Following these ideas reconstruction of the biggest bazaar in Samarkand Siyob took place. It should be mentioned that all small shops were replaced by huge ones. And, of course, previous owners were replaced by new ones. And, of course, some of the officials replaced their old Nexia’s for new ones; some of them finally have finished constructions of their two-storied houses; some of them have sent their children to study abroad.

One of the former merchants of Siyob bazaar:

“Many farmers were engaged in commerce before the reconstruction. Nowadays there second-hand dealers only who buy farmers’ foodstuffs for a very low price and then sell it for much more expensive price.”

On July 15, 2009 the wave of reconstructions approached Alisher Navoi park in Samarkand. Samarkand’s Architect General N.Sadikov sent the following message to more than 30 shop owners stating that:

“According to Prime-Minister’s decision adopted on July 7, 2009 “On projects on new establishments and immediate measures to start constructions of them” and Samarkand’s main city plan and repairing and reconstruction of Alisher Navoi central amusement park your trade shop should be condemned.

We notify you so that you could follow the instructions and fulfill the process [of demolition] yourself [for your own money – neweuraisa’s note].

Khokimiyat (municipality) of Samarkand will provide you another place to construct your trade shops in other place after considering the documentation on cadastre.

Sincerely yours,
Samarkand’s Architect General N.Sadikov”

On July 18, 2009 Mayor of Samarkand met with the owners and ordered to destroy their shops during a 3-days period. “If you don’t do that I’ll bring soldiers to do so,” he threatened.

When businessmen expressed their disagreement and asked who would compensate them their expenditures Mayor responded with anger: “Our state doesn’t have money, and we won’t give you even a cent for it. Destroy them all!”

Mamatkul Mukhtarov, a local rights activist, whose wife owns a small shop at Typography street:

“Businessmen’ shops are located 50 meters far from the park’s borders and not in the territory of it. Our shop is the source of income and authorities are willing to deprive us from our right to do so. I demand our authorities to compensate our money! Most of the shop owners haven’t yet recompensed their expenditures for their business. How should we seek the justice? Who will help us?”

How should that old man react to such injustice? How should we understand the fact that authorities are sending us from the centers to suburbs without a full compensation? Everybody understand that the territories of the current shops will be sold to people who are close to the government and have strong ties with corrupted officials. But they can do nothing because these officials have power. Unfortunately, these are realities of our country and power-holders who enjoy their power and enrich by robbing people’s wealth.

Bahkadir Namazov, independent journalist and rights activist

July 24, 2009

On photo: Mayor’s letter to businessmen whose shops are located close to Navoi park in Samarkand