Uzbekistan said on Wednesday it would not allow an international investigation into bloodshed in the eastern town of Andizhan, and won Russian backing for its stand against Western demands for a probe, Reuters reported. Washington and the European Union have urged Uzbek President Islam Karimov to probe the clashes when, witnesses said, troops opened fire on demonstrators and killed at least 500 people. Karimov said only 169 people died, mostly "bandits". United Nations officials said last week Uzbekistan had rebuffed Secretary General Kofi Annan's calls for an international commission, but Uzbek President Islam Karimov said on Wednesday no such suggestion had been made. "In Europe a rumour is busily being spread that Mr Annan told me Uzbekistan had to agree to an international commission," Karimov told state television before leaving on an official visit to neighbouring China. "And I say as a president, listen to me, that he said 'If you need it, we can send authoritative people from the U.N., that could help you resolve all questions'. Is this really a demand for a commission to be formed?" --more 2200 Local Time 1900 GMT
