Shanghai Cooperation Organization Origins of SCO: Shanghai Five 1996 • Demarcation of borders • Demilitarization of borders • Unified front against transnational separatist movements • Forum for economic cooperation • Aug. 1999: Declaration of “three evils” – Terrorism, Separatism, Religious Extremism Founding SCO Founding SCO • June 2001 (before 9/11 and before US military presence in Central Asia) • Addition of Uzbekistan • 2002 Official Charter signed in St. Petersburg • “Three Evils” incorporated into founding documents • Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) established in Tashkent Motivations and Reservations Cons Pros • Inhibits repairing Russian- • Balancing cooperation and American relations competition with China • Business in SCO region • Failure of CIS and CSTO to conducted bilaterally prevent advancement of western groups • Russia has CIS and CSTO to • Preventing free trade area conduct security relations • Freeing up security forces multilaterally • 5 million ethnic Russians in • Fear of Chinese takeover in SCO region Central Asia • Blocking NATO infiltration Competition with NATO “NATO of the East” Competition with NATO and USA • US Military presence in Central Asia – Since 2001 Afghan operation – Long-term stake in maintaining presence • Russian impatience for US withdrawal – February 2003, asks UN to set timeline – Astana summit 2005, prevails on SCO members to mandate US military withdrawal – Uzbekistan terminates US basing rights Andijan— Turning Point Andijan Andijan • May 13, 2005 Uzbek forces clash with protesters/insurgents, killing hundreds • US and EU call for investigation into events • SCO reaction – June 2005 Astana summit calls for withdrawal of Western forces from Central Asia – Uzbekistan demands closure of US Karshi- Khanabad (K-2) airbase and joins CSTO a year later • Realigning of Uzbekistan with Russia Economic Cooperation • Russia—moderating force – China wants free-trade area through SCO – Russia wants free trade area through EURASEC • Russian joint economic project proposals – Expanding telecommunication networks – Transport corridor through Caspian Sea and SCO – Exporting surplus electrical power – SCO Energy Club SCO Accomplishments • All border disputes resolved • Successfully mediates disputes in Central Asia • Sends clear message to separatists/extremists • Refrains from interfering in domestic affairs • Creation of RATS SCO Shortcomings • Inability to discuss with China flow of migrants • Insufficient attention to Afghan-Central Asia drug trafficking • Growing economic gap between Russia and China • Penetration of China into Central Asia causing further labor migration from China Russian View on SCO Future • Against SCO enlargement • Limited economic integration with China while stressing SCO security functions (RATS) • Becoming symbol of stability contrasted with US-led instability on SCO southern rim • Russia as bridge between Asia and Europe .