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Foreign Affairs and Defence

I understand my hon. Friend’s point. I will simply say, having had an opportunity to see the transcript of Condoleezza Rice’s comments last night, that she was clear in her condemnation of previous human rights abuses in Uzbekistan, but my responsibility and my brief are to speak on behalf of the British Government. The British Government’s position was set out in the human rights report published in 2004, in which we made categorically clear our objection to some of the human rights abuses that were taking place in Uzbekistan at that stage. We now wish to discuss with our other international partners what further action is necessary in relation to what appears to be unfolding in respect of circumstances in Uzbekistan. I can assure my hon. Friend, however, that the British Foreign Office has been absolutely consistent in ensuring that we bring to the Uzbeks’ attention our concern about abuse of human rights.