Homeland Security

DATE=10/15/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BRITAIN / UZBEKISTAN (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-319691

BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE

DATELINE=LONDON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: Britain Withdraws Controversial Envoy to Uzbekistan

INTRO: Britain has withdrawn its ambassador to Uzbekistan after he leveled charges that U.S. and British intelligence agencies obtained information from suspects tortured by Uzbek security services. VOA's Michael Drudge has more from London.

TEXT: The removal of British Ambassador Craig Murray culminates more than a year of controversy swirling around the unusually outspoken diplomat.

The British foreign office withdrew him from his post late Thursday, and Mr. Murray gave a subsequent interview to British radio accusing the diplomatic service of attempting to stifle dissent.

He says his health has been ruined since he was accused, and later cleared, of sexual misconduct last year, and he intends to take legal action against the government.

Mr. Murray has made headlines for publicly denouncing alleged human rights abuses in Uzbekistan, which has been an important ally of the United States in the war on terrorism.

He says his problems with the foreign office stem from an internal memo he wrote about torture in Uzbekistan, portions of which were published this week in the Financial Times newspaper.

///MURRAY ACT///

"I don't think I have been disciplined for what I said about human rights in Uzbekistan. I think where there have been points of difficulty with the Foreign Office has been stuff I've been saying, not publicly but internally, on torture, relations with the Uzbek government and the use of intelligence."

///END ACT///

Mr. Murray said he believes information obtained through torture is not reliable. Now, he says he fears other diplomats who dissent from official policy on how to fight terrorism will be punished.

///2ND MURRAY ACT///

"What worries me is this sends a very strong signal that since the start of the war on terrorism, anyone who even internally questions what is happening from a liberal standpoint is going to seriously damage their employment prospects. I am worried that this represents a phase in the politicization of the civil service."

///END ACT///

The foreign office says Mr. Murray was removed after losing the confidence of senior officials and colleagues, and not because of his allegations about torture and the intelligence services.

Foreign office spokesmen say Mr. Murray is not being disciplined, that he remains in the diplomatic service, and he will be reassigned in due course. (Signed).

NEB/MWD/MAR/FC