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VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 1 I 2022 ISSN: 2181-1601
ENCLAVE AND EXCLAVE REGIONS OF CENTRAL ASIA
Hayitboy Abdug'aniyevich Abduvaliyev
Akbarjon Adhamjon o'gli Vahobjonov
Komilaxon Dilmuhammad qizi Rahimberdiyeva
Fergana State University
ABSTRACT
This article discusses the importance and relevance of the origins of the Central Asian enclave exclave areas today.
Keywords: Sokh exclave, Communist Party, memorandum, geopolitical terms.
We know that in history there was a conflict between the people living in the Sokh exclave of Uzbekistan and the citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic. No doubt you are aware of these contradictions. That is why we will not dwell on the details of the events. So, what kind of territory is Sokh and how did it come into being?
Sokh is an exclave of Uzbekistan with an area of 350 square kilometers, including the Sokh River. The area is completely surrounded by the Batken region of Kyrgyzstan. About 60,000 people live in the district, which has been a source of tension between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The majority of the population, more than 90%, is ethnic Tajik. The exclave appeared on the political map in 1955. There is no exact information about the cause of its appearance, only rumors. According to some sources, the area was lost by a Kyrgyz official in a gambling match between Kyrgyz and Uzbek Communist Party officials. According to others, the reason the communists gave the area to the Uzbeks was that the main roads in the area, despite being in Kyrgyzstan, were connected to Uzbekistan because the Kyrgyz side was mostly mountainous. The Sokh conflict continued after the Soviet era. Shortly after independence in 1991, an Uzbek-Kyrgyz agreement was signed allowing the Uzbek side to access the exclave via roads passing through Kyrgyz territory. In 1999, the Uzbek government sharply increased the military presence in the exclave and began to mine the border, claiming that the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist group was using Sokh as a base in its operations against both countries. Since then, Kyrgyzstan has complained that mines have been planted on its territory and that Uzbek troops have periodically harassed locals. In January 2001, Uzbekistan cut off gas supplies to Kyrgyzstan due to damaged pipelines. Bishkek sees this as pressure to achieve a positive outcome in the 20-square-kilometer talks, which will allow Sokh to be directly connected to Uzbekistan. In February 2001, the states signed a memorandum defining the borders of Sokh and the territory connecting Sokh with Uzbekistan. Official Tashkent had offered to give the
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VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 1 I 2022 ISSN: 2181-1601
area another location instead. However, after the agreement was made public in Kyrgyzstan, protests erupted among Kyrgyz, saying that "the transfer of Kyrgyz land to Uzbekistan is a betrayal of national interests." As a result, Bishkek was forced to reject the agreement, and negotiations are still ongoing. Since then, the Sokhs have had to cross several border crossings in both countries to enter the exclave. In turn, Kyrgyz citizens will have to cross the Sokh and minefields to cross into the eastern and western parts of the country. Such difficulties have a serious impact on the economic situation of the still poor Sokh and Batken. Unemployment is high and the population is mainly engaged in agriculture. Many young people are forced to go abroad in search of work.
What do the geopolitical terms "enclave" and "exclave", which we have mentioned many times, really mean? Let's look at their differences and meanings below:
1. Sarvan (Tajik enclave in Uzbekistan).
The village of Sarvan is located in Uzbekistan, at the confluence of the Fergana and Isfara valleys. The area of the enclave is 8 sq. Km. The region emerged in 1991 after the collapse of the USSR.
2. Vorug, West Qalacha (Tajik enclaves in Kyrgyzstan).
Two Tajik enclaves are located in Kyrgyzstan. These enclaves also appeared on a new political map after the collapse of the USSR. Vorug village is located in the south of Aktash mountain. It covers an area of 130 square kilometers and has a population of 23,000-29,000. 95% of the population is Tajik and the rest is Kyrgyz. Qayragach or Western Qalacha is Tajikistan's second exclave in Kyrgyzstan. Located near the Tajik-Kyrgyz border in Laylak district, the settlement is very small, with an area of less than 1 sq. Km. The economy of the regions is mainly based on agriculture. Most of the population makes a living in Russia by selling fruits and vegetables. In Vorug, ethnic conflicts erupted in 1989, 1993, and 1999 over land and water.
3. Shohimardon, Qalacha, Jangail and Tayan (Uzbek enclaves in Kyrgyzstan).
Due to the mountains and the complicated geopolitics, the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border is
heavily guarded and often closed. Negotiations in the 2000s resulted in the removal of two border crossings and the opening of a "green transit route" from Pulgon-Kadamjay and Osh to the center. In 2004, Uzbekistan announced the clearance of minefields adjacent to Sokh and Shohimardon.
Shohimardon is located near the Alay Mountains. The enclave covers an area of 90 square kilometers and has a population of more than 10,000. 91% are Uzbeks and 9% are Kyrgyz. The castle is a very small area on the northern side of Sokh. The enclave covers an area of less than 1 sq. Km and has almost no population. A small area on the northwest side of Jangail Shohimardon. The area is less than 1 sq. Km. According to the Kyrgyzstan Development Gateway website, there is another Uzbek exclave in Kyrgyzstan. Located south of the Sokh enclave, the 40-hectare area borders the Kyrgyz village of Tayan and its official name is unknown.
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4. Barak (Kyrgyz enclave in Uzbekistan).
A small Kyrgyz village named Barak is located in the Fergana Valley. The village is completely surrounded by the territory of Uzbekistan and is located between the cities of Margilan and Fergana. The barracks cannot be found on any map other than official documents. This region also emerged after the collapse of the USSR. According to the BBC's Kyrgyz Service, the village has a population of 627, all of whom are ethnic Kyrgyz.
The question is: can these small areas cause big problems in Central Asia? What caused them? Is it possible to destroy the territories on the basis of agreements? Maybe this will be good for the people living in the states and enclaves? The enclaves were once called "Stalin's Time Bombs." It is widely believed that Stalin deliberately left the territory of one autonomous state within another autonomous state in order to maintain permanent control. But if we look at the time when the enclaves of Central Asia appeared on the political map, we realize that they were not caused by Stalin, that is, they all appeared after Stalin's death.
In short, solving the problems of these regions, which is one of the most pressing issues in Central Asia today, is the task of all Central Asian states.
REFERENCES
1. L.M. Abdunazarov, Sh.A. Qambarova, O.Q. Tobirov Geography of Central Asia. tutorial. Tashkent. 2017.
2. Allanov. Q. Geography of Central Asian countries. Text of lectures. Termiz.2017.
