Revolution in Kyrgyzstan

The world seems to be excited about self-determination.

Fabulous results of Bush's Foreign Policy gamble.

Good luck to the Revolutionaries. On to capitalism!

Some sites about the country.

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/kg.html


http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/central_asia/kyrgyzstan/

http://www.freenet.kg/db/

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/kgtoc.html



I am just learning how to spell it!

And - dear Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrgyzstan


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Kyrgyzstan



But - how will Russia react?

Crediting George Bush for this as you are doing seems extremely vague.
Will you be more specific as to how and why George Bush deserves any credit for this?

Aaaargh - any way Lash's predictable comment, and that predictable response, can not create a domino effect making this into yet ANOTHER thread about American domestic hatreds? Please?

This is actually an important world event, about people who are not Americans, guys.

I'll even make you a different thread to fight on, if you like.

I'm not sure, well wait I am sure, that I don't understand what you mean about domestic hatreds but I will certainly drop my question out of courtesy. I would like to know what you mean though for my own understanding.

In reading your links it seems as though this beautiful country is in possession of an abundance of natural resources that could be put to good use to strengthen their economy. They also seem to have at least a reasonable life expectancy, and a good literacy rate. Infant mortality may be so high because they are too poor to provide what's needed and that can be fixed.

This country seems to have a lot of natural potential. I have not read in the news why this big governmental overthrow.

What can you tell me about that dlowan?

By domestic hatreds infesting threads not about America, I mean that they turn into "Bush is the anti-christ" vs "Bush is the Second Coming" insults and vitriol. No matter what the freaking thread is about.

This country has its own politics and history - and this will ripple in its effects through Asia and Europe.

I am desperately hoping it won't just be a "Bush made it happen, you stupid Liberals - take that!" vs oh who bloody cares what - whatever the anti-Bush folk say.

Have you not seen countless threads turn into that?

Whether George Bush did, or did not, have any effect re this, is it possible to focus on the country the thread is about, not George Bushism?

Pardon my weariness with the whole thing - I think a discussion of whether US policy has had an effect here - as PART of a discussion - quite reasonable - the US is a major world player - but please can it not all be about Bush?

I know I cannot control thrads - I am just asking.

And I know you framed your question very reasonably and courteously, BVT. I can just see where this usually heads.

I didn't foresee any discussion of any such kind.

There is a very large and growing contingent that admit Bush's foreign policy has indeed caused the massive shift towards democracy around the world. To attempt to avoid it is bizarre.

You don't mind discussing Russia's probably response---but, can't quite stand discussing America's role...?

He asked a question that deserved an answer.

Discussing Krygyzstan, and omitting reference to it's impetus will make for a lop-sided discussion--but if the full discussion is intolerable, so be it.

Blueveined-- I had been scanning the net for good links with my answer. Would have enjoyed the conversation.

" I think a discussion of whether US policy has had an effect here - as PART of a discussion - quite reasonable - the US is a major world player - but please can it not all be about Bush?"

Read that?

Discuss what you will - I am simply asking that it does not turn into the predictable crap. And that a wee bit of it is about the country in question and its people.

Fabulous. Let's try to ensure it doesn't, eh?



Read my post.



Yep - happy to discuss America, as I said - as long as it isn't the nonsense i have delineated.



Discuss away. Once again, can it be about policy, and not Bush as demi-god, demon, eh?

Then let's talk about what led up to this overthrow shall we? Because I dont know and would like to, and you seem more informed than I, a not so hard thing to do.

Lol - I am just learning.

Have you read any of the links?

As far as I can see so far, the deposed leader promised reforms - and did not follow through.

Here is the BBC analysis I linked to:

"Q&A: Kyrgyzstan protests

The opposition in Kyrgyzstan says it has taken control of the capital, Bishkek, after overrunning President Askar Akayev's palace.

BBC Eurasia analyst Malcolm Haslett explains the background to the discontent.

What have the protests been all about?

The protests were triggered by two things - the disbarment of a number of opposition candidates just before the recent parliamentary elections, and the apparent "promotion" of Akayev's family at that election.

Both his son and daughter won seats.

But the longer term background was the growing disenchantment of the Kyrgyz intellectual and political elite. Most of the opposition leaders are former allies of Mr Akayev who for one reason or another fell out with the president. They accuse him of an increasing centralisation of power, in the pattern of a number of other post-Soviet republics.

Who is likely to take charge?

So far there has been no single figure around which the opposition has gelled. But the release of former Security Minister and Bishkek mayor Felix Kulov from prison could change that.

Mr Kulov was genuinely popular in the capital, and was jailed on what many believe were trumped up (or at least exaggerated) charges of misuse of power.

The other leaders who may play a leading role are Kurmanbek Bakiev, former prime minister, and Roza Otunbayeva, former foreign minister. They are former allies of Mr Akayev who, after being dismissed by him, became very critical of the way he was allegedly taking power into his own, and his family's, hands.

So is there a risk the old guard will take over?

It may look like the return of the old guard. But there is at least the possibility that the opposition leaders have learned from Mr Akayev's mistakes and will try to build a genuine relationship with the public at large, and not just use old traditional clan structures and patrimony.

Have the protests been influenced by events in Georgia and Ukraine?

Events in Ukraine and Georgia certainly provided a spur for those in Kyrgyzstan dissatisfied with the government. Suddenly it was no longer impossible to dislodge well-entrenched regimes by popular protest.

But the Kyrgyz opposition faced a different situation, and there is evidence that the Kyrgyz protests have been more spontaneous and less organised than those in Ukraine and Georgia.

One big question now is to what degree the opposition leaders can control and channel the obvious anger of demonstrators.

What are the chances of other central Asian leaders been overthrown?

It is really too early to speculate about the effect on neighbouring republics. Certainly the authorities in neighbouring Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan will be very worried by what has happened.

Does Kyrgyzstan matter? Is it strategically important?

There are both US and Russian air bases in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan was one of the two Central Asian states (the other is Uzbekistan) to offer the US a base during the build-up for the anti-Taleban war in Afghanistan. And the US and its allies are still there. Russia, afraid of the possible loss of its influence in a country which Moscow sees as in 'its sphere of influence' asked to set up its own air base only 40km from the US one.

(I find that a bit scary - that is what I meant about Russina reaction - will they see this as a bit of a Cuba?)

So both countries have a very big interest in what goes on in Bishkek.

Mr Akayev was generally seen as pro-Russian, the opposition is partly 'pro-Western', but there are a lot of Kyrgyz who do not like either foreign base."




It is fascinating that they let the US use them as a base to invade Afghanistan - they ar elargely Muslim:

Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%


"History of Kyrgyzstan

Being populated by Iranian tribes such as Sogdians for many centuries and later by Turkic immigrants, the area of Kyrgyzstan was on the fringes of the Persian Empire. Kyrgyzstan was annexed by the Russian Empire in 1864-66 when Russia successively conquered the Central Asian kaghanates. The country gained its independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It had been a Soviet Socialist Republic in 1937 with the full name of Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic, commonly referred to as Kirghizia or Kirghiz SSR."


Has a strong nomadic history, I see...

Very interesting. I personally hope that their leadership ends up in the hands of those who "do not like either foreign base" perhaps then they will bve able to make their own way.

Wiki on foreign realtions:

"Foreign relations of Kyrgyzstan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Kyrgyzstan favors close relations with other CIS members, in particular with Kazakhstan and Russia. Recognizing Russia's concerns about the Russian-speaking minority in Kyrgyzstan, President Akayev has been sensitive to potential perceptions of discrimination. For example, although the 1993 Constitution designates Kyrgyz as the official language, a June 1994 presidential decree stipulated that Russian will have official status alongside Kyrgyz in regions and at enterprises where Russian speakers constitute a majority, as well as in sectors--health, technical science--where the use of Russian is appropriate.

While Kyrgyzstan was initially determined to stay in the ruble zone, the stringent conditions set forth by the Russian Government prompted Kyrgyzstan to introduce its own currency, the som, in May 1993. Kyrgyzstan's withdrawal from the ruble zone was done with little prior notification and initially caused tensions in the region. Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan temporarily suspended trade, and Uzbekistan even introduced restrictions tantamount to economic sanctions. Both nations feared an influx of rubles and an increase in inflation. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan's hostility toward Kyrgyzstan was short-lived, and the three nations signed an agreement in January 1994 creating an economic union. This led to the relaxation of border restrictions between the nations the following month. Kyrgyzstan also has contributed to the CIS peacekeeping forces in Tajikistan.

Turkey has sought to capitalize on its cultural and ethnic links to the region and has found Kyrgyzstan receptive to cultivating bilateral relations. The Kyrgyz Republic also has experienced a dramatic increase in trade with China, its southern neighbor. Kyrgyzstan has been active in furthering regional cooperation, such as joint military exercises with Uzbek and Kazakh troops.

In January 1999, a new OSCE office opened in Bishkek; on February 18, 2000 the OSCE announced that an additional office will be opened in Osh to assist Bishkek in carrying out its work. Kyrgyzstan is a member of the OSCE, the CIS, and the United Nations.

Disputes - international: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area; periodic target of Islamic terrorists from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia and Western Europe from Southwest Asia"


I hope they chart an independent course, too - seems they have been undersuperpower domination for over a hundred years.

Can't find much about their pre-Russina history.


CIA Fact book on economy:

"Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and natural gas and electricity. Kyrgyzstan has been fairly progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first CIS country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. With fits and starts, inflation has been lowered to an estimated 7% in 2001, 2.1% in 2002, and 4.0% in 2003. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Kyrgyzstan has distinguished itself by adopting relatively liberal economic policies. The drop in output at the Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002, but GDP growth bounced back to 6% in 2003. The government has made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit and aims to reduce the deficit to 4.4 percent of GDP in 2004. The government and the international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. Further restructuring of domestic industry and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth."

This is fascinating - they are calling it a "Tulip Revolution" Wikipedia:

"The Tulip Revolution (also known as the Pink Revolution or the Lemon Revolution -- several different monikers have been given it by its promoters and the press) refers to a nascent attempt at regime change in the ex-Soviet state of Kyrgyzstan after the parliamentary elections in 2005. Its activists seek the end of the rule of current president Askar Akayev and his family and associates, whom many citizens regard as having embarked upon a course of greedy self-enrichment while increasingly curbing human rights in the country. The terms "Tulip Revolution" and "Lemon Revolution" deliberately evoke similarities with Georgia's Rose Revolution and Ukraine's Orange Revolution of 2004.

As of March 23, 2005, the movement had become widespread, particularly in the southern parts of the country, having gained momentum in the wake of allegations of massive fraud and manipulations during the parliamentary elections held in two rounds on February 27 and March 13, 2005. The opposition to President Akayev, previously much fragmented, appeared to be unifying, although there are still two main opposition leaders, former Prime Minister Kurmanbek Bakiyev and former Foreign Minister Roza Otunbaeva.

On March 23, 2005, protests spread to the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek and the next day the government headquarters and the building of the state television were stormed by demonstrators. The next day, March 24, President Askar Akayev fled the capital by helicopter and resigned. He is currently in hiding and has not been found. Political prisoners, mostly opposition leaders, were freed and the Kyrgyz Supreme Court declared the Parliamentary Election results invalid.
[edit]

See also
Kyrgyz parliamentary elections, 2005
Politics of Kyrgyzstan
[edit]

External links
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav032205.shtml
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav032105.shtml "


(Those Eurasia.net links are good - I am just looking at them.)

Hmmm - as well as US influence, I am wondering if the EU has been involved, as Dag discussed on another thread, in mentoring young people from this country - as with Ukraine etc - in political development?

I wonder what the effect of a US base there has been, too?

Freedom is contagious! And awesome.

Beautiful indeed:



Hmmm - looking up foreign involvement:

UNESCO:

"Democratic governance in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society
Swiss - Kyrgyz Democracy Training Project


At the request of the Kyrgyz government, UNESCO's international social science programme MOST (Management of Social Transformations) has established a democracy training project to introduce selected individuals from Kyrgyzstan - among them policy-makers, legislators, judiciary officials, and representatives from public and non-governmental organisations - to the functioning of democratic governance under the conditions of ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity. The project has taken up a suggestion by the Central Asian Regional MOST Meeting (Bishkek 1994), which has asked for closer attention being paid to the issue of democratic and peaceful multi-ethnic co-existence in Central Asia.

The democracy training project envisions a close and fruitful co-operation between Switzerland and Kyrgyzstan. By developing institutional and individual ties to Switzerland, a multi-cultural/multi-ethnic country with a long and rich democratic tradition, leading representatives of the Kyrgyz society gain in-depth insights into building and consolidating democratic structures founded on community-based political participation and inter-ethnic co-operation. Likewise, Swiss experts and institutions benefit from sharing the Kyrgyz experience of managing the ongoing transformations. Short-term training activities started in 1997 are designed to lead to a long-term co-operation between the two countries, which is expected to further the process of democratisation in Kyrgyzstan.

Main activities of the project are the establishment of an academic curriculum on democratic governance, the training of legislators, academics and policy-makers in the creation of laws concerned with multi-culturalism, the publication of basic texts on the subject, including comparisons of existing approaches to the issues, and the establishment of an academic exchange programme. MOST conceives this project as an essential and first-of-its-kind initiative leading to a long-term bilateral co-operation that will contribute substantially to building sustainable intellectual and institutional capacities for democratic governance in Kyrgyzstan.

The project is funded by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and supported by the European Commission for Democracy through Law (the Venice Commission) which contributes expertise to the training programme in Kyrgyzstan."

http://www.unesco.org/most/kyrgyz.htm


This leads to an Adobe url on US aid:

http://www.usaid.gov/locations/europe_eurasia/car/kgpage.html


The US is very fond of the country:



"Country Profile

The Country Profile below contains the Country Profile, Overview of USAID’s Focus in Kyrgyzstan, and USAID/Kyrgyzstan Contact Information.

Adobe Acrobat PDF (167kb)



Background

Although small, land-locked with limited natural resources, Kyrgyzstan has been the most open, progressive and cooperative of the Central Asian republics. It is important to stability in the region and has remained a stalwart friend of the United States. The Kyrgyz Republic is a firm ally in the War on Terrorism and a significant coalition member. Its geographic location at the headwaters of major river systems in Central Asia enable it to affect critical and sensitive issues such as irrigated agriculture, electricity generation, and the environment in the downstream countries of Central Asia.

Weak governance, continuing poverty, potential ethnic tensions, a porous southern border with Tajikistan and an essentially closed border with Uzbekistan are potential sources of conflict that could threaten regional stability and U.S. economic and political interests in Central Asia. Earlier armed incursions in the south of Kyrgyzstan by rebels from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and increased recruitment by the Hizb-u-Tahrir (both radical Islamic organizations) heighten the urgency to accelerate economic growth.

To read more, see the Kyrgyzstan Country Profile (Adobe Acrobat PDF, 167kb).



Links

Many internet resources provide information on Kyrgyzstan. In addition to those noted on this page, check the following reference. Websites for Kyrgyzstan and the Central Asia Region."

Cultural links:

http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/kyrgyzstan/links/arts.shtml

and pictures of traditional art and craft:

http://freenet.bishkek.su/kyrgyzstan/cult.html


Historical site:

http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/53/index-e.html



Article from Eurasianet:

CIVIL SOCIETY

AKAYEV ADMINISTRATION COLLAPSES IN KYRGYZSTAN, SENDING TREMORS ACROSS CENTRAL ASIA
3/24/05

President Askar Akayev’s administration collapsed in Kyrgyzstan on March 24, as anti-government protesters stormed the presidential palace, and then liberated a leading opposition figure from prison. The country’s new leaders struggled to maintain control, as protests gave way to looting as night fell upon Bishkek.

Akayev’s whereabouts were unknown late on March 24. The Russian news agency Interfax reported that Akayev had flown to Kazakhstan. Another report issued by the agency suggested his ultimate destination may be Russia. Initially it appears the deposed Kyrgyz leader took refuge at a Russian air base outside the capital. None of the reports could be immediately verified. At the same time, an OSCE official announced that Akayev was not seeking sanctuary at OSCE offices in Bishkek.

Protesters were in control of key government buildings in Bishkek, including the presidential palace, government building and state television studios. After taking over the presidential palace, group of protesters went on to Moldavanovka prison near Bishkek, where they freed Kyrgyzstan’s most prominent political prisoner, Feliks Kulov, a former vice president turned Akayev critic. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. With Akayev in hiding, protesters forced the resignations of top government officials, including the defense and interior ministers, along with Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev. Kulov claimed that Akayev had also formally resigned.

Akayev’s leading political opponents, who played a key role in stoking the so-called people’s power movement, acted to fill the power vacuum in the capital. [For additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive]. The leading people’s power politicians, including Roza Otunbayeva, Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Muratbek Imanaliyev, established a coordinating council to discuss steps to provide security in Bishkek and elsewhere, and devise a political strategy for the country’s immediate future.

In an effort to preserve a semblance of legitimate government, the new coordinating council called for a session of the old bicameral Kyrgyz parliament. A new unicameral legislature had held its first session March 22, but that legislative body was dismissed as artificial creation of the president’s. Complaints about irregularities in the recent parliamentary vote served as the catalyst for the people’s power movement, which quickly swept across southern Kyrgyzstan in the aftermath of the second round of voting March 13. [For additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court created a legal basis for the revival of the old legislature by ruling the recent election results invalid, the Russian Itar-Tass news agency reported. The special parliamentary session named former opposition politician Ishenbai Kadyrbekov as interim president. The legislators were widely expected to consider setting dates for new elections.

Members of the provisional leadership team have suggested that a presidential vote should be held in the late spring, followed by fresh parliamentary elections in the fall. The old parliament would continue to serve until new legislative elections.

Amid the revolutionary developments in Bishkek, several instances of looting and destruction of property were reported during the day. In a televised address, Kulov, only hours after being freed from jail, appealed for calm and order. "It is important to show the world that we are a civilized people, and that we can keep things under control," Kulov said. "Anyone who attempts to destabilize the situation, to stir up trouble, shall be punished to the greatest extent of Kyrgyz law."

Kulov also said that the provisional leadership now in charge would look to the constitution of Kyrgyzstan to "decide" important political questions. He added that the personal security of Akayev and his family would be guaranteed.

Despite Kulov’s appeal for order, widespread looting continued overnight amid the absence of law-enforcement officers on the streets. The headquarters of the mobile phone company Bitel was gutted. One observer described Bishkek as sinking into a state of "anarchy," with gangs of people roaming the streets and plundering any store with consumer goods. Some Bishkek residents blamed protestors from southern Kyrgyzstan for the lawlessness, and some observers voiced concern that the looting could stoke regional tension between the North and the South.

Anti-government unrest had been building for weeks – ever since the end of the first round of parliamentary election voting February 27. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Until the sudden outburst of popular fury in Bishkek on March 24, however, discontent had been largely confined to southern Kyrgyzstan. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Akayev’s sudden downfall began when a crowd of up to 15,000 anti-government demonstrators gathered in the early afternoon at central Ala-Too square. These protesters clashed with several hundred pro-Akayev demonstrators, many of whom were seen wielding clubs. The anti-government crowd confronted riot police. Witnesses reported hearing several shots fired. According to the AKIpress news agency, two people died and 121 people were injured during the clashes and the subsequent looting rampage.

After the anti-government protesters succeeded in established control over the square, they moved against the presidential compound across the street. At this stage, security forces did little to prevent a take-over of Bishkek’s "White House."

Some protesters proceeded to ransack the seat of Akayev’s power, smashing windows and breaking furniture. Anti-government crowds later took control of other government buildings, as security forces made no effort to defend the government.

According Giyaz Tokombayev, a long-time Akayev critic and head of the Republican Party, protesters discovered several compromising documents among the president’s papers in the White House. One reportedly was an appeal signed by Akayev to Russian President Vladimir Putin seeking support for an intended military operation to suppress the people’s power revolution. Protesters also supposedly uncovered a presidential memorandum containing instructions to the country’s Central Election Commission governing the conduct of the recent legislative election.

The Kyrgyz revolution sent shockwaves rumbling across Central Asia. Authoritarian-minded leaders of neighboring states are clearly worried that the explosion of pent-up popular frustration in Bishkek -- primed in large part by persistent poverty and pervasive government corruption -- could stir citizens of their own respective countries into staging anti-government actions. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

On March 24, Kazakhstan followed the examples of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in tightening controls along its border with Kyrgyzstan. The Kazakhstani Embassy in Bishkek issued a statement voicing alarm and "expressing concern about the security and stability of the Kyrgyz Republic, and, in general, the entire region of Central Asia."

The Kazakhstani statement also specifically denied a rumor that Kazakhstani special forces had participated in Kyrgyzstani government operations aimed at reasserting Bishkek’s control over the southern provinces of Jalal-Abad and Osh. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. "We consider these rumors to be deliberate disinformation, which is designed to stir up tension and incite inter-ethnic conflict," the statement said.

Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Gen. Yuri Baluyevski, the Russian Air Force chief of staff, said the security had been tightened at Russia's Kant air base outside of Bishkek. “We hope the doped, riotous mob will not fully destabilize [Kyrgyzstan],” the RIA-Novosti news agency quoted Baluyevski as saying.[/]

Dr. Ariel Cohen of The Heritage Foundation notes that, following the fall of the U.S.S.R, Kyrgyzstan unfortunately did not completely and successfully make its transition to a free and independent nation the same way many countries in Eastern Europe did:




Dr. Cohen explains the regional politics at play:



Thus, Cohen notes, the lemon revolution may or may not end up as lemonade. There is good reason to be cautious in declaring victory for freedom, given the geopolitical stakes. But there is also significant reason for hope.

http://www.heritage.org//Press/Commentary/ed032305b.cfm

He will be included on Mt. Rushmore (or better)...and in my lifetime!

A really good blog on events in Krygyzstan.