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UN calls for Kyrgyz aid corridor | UN calls for Kyrgyz aid corridor |
(40 minutes later) | |
Uzbekistan says it cannot cope with the influx of refugees | Uzbekistan says it cannot cope with the influx of refugees |
Kyrgyzstan must set up a humanitarian corridor to help people affected by deadly fighting between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks, a top UN official says. | Kyrgyzstan must set up a humanitarian corridor to help people affected by deadly fighting between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks, a top UN official says. |
Lynn Pascoe said he also wanted to get help to Uzbekistan to make sure it could deal with the influx of refugees. | Lynn Pascoe said he also wanted to get help to Uzbekistan to make sure it could deal with the influx of refugees. |
Many thousands of Uzbeks have already fled, but tens of thousands more are thought to have gathered on the border. | Many thousands of Uzbeks have already fled, but tens of thousands more are thought to have gathered on the border. |
The violence broke out in the southern Kyrgyz cities of Osh and Jalalabad on Friday and has left at least 138 dead. | The violence broke out in the southern Kyrgyz cities of Osh and Jalalabad on Friday and has left at least 138 dead. |
The BBC's Rayhan Demytrie in Osh says there were more reports of fighting overnight, and there was no indication the violence would end. | The BBC's Rayhan Demytrie in Osh says there were more reports of fighting overnight, and there was no indication the violence would end. |
Kyrgyzstan's interim government, which came to power after violent protests overthrew the previous administration, has been quick to blame supporters of ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. | Kyrgyzstan's interim government, which came to power after violent protests overthrew the previous administration, has been quick to blame supporters of ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. |
Mr Bakiyev, who now lives in exile in Belarus, still has widespread support in the south, but he has denied whipping up tensions. | Mr Bakiyev, who now lives in exile in Belarus, still has widespread support in the south, but he has denied whipping up tensions. |
Bodies in the streets | Bodies in the streets |
Mr Pascoe, a UN undersecretary-general, briefed the Security Council on the situation, and told reporters after that he had stressed the need to "get something in there right away". | Mr Pascoe, a UN undersecretary-general, briefed the Security Council on the situation, and told reporters after that he had stressed the need to "get something in there right away". |
"It's also a great concern of ours about the refugees - whether they can get across the border," he said. | "It's also a great concern of ours about the refugees - whether they can get across the border," he said. |
"What we are trying to do is get [Uzbekistan] enough assistance there that they can feel comfortable with additional refugees coming through." | "What we are trying to do is get [Uzbekistan] enough assistance there that they can feel comfortable with additional refugees coming through." |
Reports said Uzbekistan was considering closing the border, after an estimated 80,000 refugees had poured into the country. | Reports said Uzbekistan was considering closing the border, after an estimated 80,000 refugees had poured into the country. |
Eyewitnesses in Osh and Jalalabad have reported seeing whole rows of houses burnt down, and bodies lying in the streets. | Eyewitnesses in Osh and Jalalabad have reported seeing whole rows of houses burnt down, and bodies lying in the streets. |
Earlier, UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay said there was evidence of indiscriminate killings - including of children - and of rapes. | Earlier, UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay said there was evidence of indiscriminate killings - including of children - and of rapes. |
Uzbek refugees say that armoured vehicles in Osh drove through streets in Uzbek neighbourhoods, shooting at civilians and clearing the way for gangs following behind. | Uzbek refugees say that armoured vehicles in Osh drove through streets in Uzbek neighbourhoods, shooting at civilians and clearing the way for gangs following behind. |
Pascale Meige Wagner, from the International Committee for the Red Cross, said the death toll was an underestimate. | Pascale Meige Wagner, from the International Committee for the Red Cross, said the death toll was an underestimate. |
"We hear about bodies not being recovered in Osh and Jalalabad," she said. | "We hear about bodies not being recovered in Osh and Jalalabad," she said. |
"We do believe that once the situation is a bit quieter in those two towns we'll have a better idea of the dimension of this crisis." | |
Ethnic Uzbeks make up about 15% of Kyrgyzstan's 5.5 million people. | Ethnic Uzbeks make up about 15% of Kyrgyzstan's 5.5 million people. |
Central Asia's patchwork of ethnic groups competing for wealth and resources in countries controlled by their rivals has been described by UN officials as a "tinder-box". | Central Asia's patchwork of ethnic groups competing for wealth and resources in countries controlled by their rivals has been described by UN officials as a "tinder-box". |
They fear that the violence - the worst the region has seen since Soviet times 20 years ago - needs to be stopped quickly, or it could soon spread to other parts of the region. | They fear that the violence - the worst the region has seen since Soviet times 20 years ago - needs to be stopped quickly, or it could soon spread to other parts of the region. |
Are you in Osh? Have you witnessed anything? What is the situation now? Send us your accounts using the form below. | Are you in Osh? Have you witnessed anything? What is the situation now? Send us your accounts using the form below. |