AngelsSix
03-24-2005, 07:33
Kyrgyzstan Protesters Storm Gov't Building
9 minutes ago Europe - AP
By STEVE GUTTERMAN, Associated Press Writer
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan - Hundreds of opposition demonstrators stormed the presidential compound in Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, seizing the seat of state power after clashing with riot police during a large rally.
AP Photo
Reuters
Slideshow: Kyrgyzstan Elections
Kyrgyzstan May Use Force to Restore Order
(AP Video)
Thick plumes of black smoke rose from the vicinity of the government headquarters hours after the takeover as many of the protesters milled about, and a fire truck arrived at the scene.
Imprisoned Kyrgyz opposition leader Felix Kulov was freed as protesters took control of key government facilities, the Interfax news agency reported, citing opposition sources.
Kulov, once a vice president under embattled President Askar Akayev, was imprisoned in 2000 on embezzlement charges that supporters said were politically motivated. His release could be a key element in unifying the Kyrgyz opposition, which until now has lacked a single clear leader.
The whereabouts of Akayev were not known. He had been scheduled to meet Thursday with an envoy from the Organization for Security and Cooperation (news - web sites) in Europe, seeking to help mediate the crisis.
The tumultuous scene was the culmination of the first major rally in the capital since opposition supporters seized control of key cities and towns in the south this week to press demands that Akayev step down amid widespread allegations of fraud during parliamentary elections in the former Soviet republic.
The opposition has accused the 60-year-old Akayev, who is prohibited from seeking another term, of manipulating the parliamentary vote to gain a compliant legislature that would amend the constitution to allow him to stay in office beyond a presidential election set for October. Akayev has denied that.
"I am very happy because for 15 years we've been seeing the same ugly face that has been shamelessly smiling at us," said 35-year-old Abdikasim Kamalov, standing outside the building, holding a red Kyrgyz flag. "We could no longer tolerate this. We want changes."
The Central Asian nation's role as a conduit for drugs and a potential hotbed of Islamic extremism, particularly in the impoverished south, makes it volatile. But Kyrgyzstan lacks the rich energy resources or pipeline routes of its neighbors, its strategic location has made it important to both Russia and the United States, which both maintain bases in the former Soviet republic.
Conflicting media reports said Akayev was at his residence outside Bishkek, or on his way to neighboring Kazakhstan, or even taking refuge at the U.S. base. The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, however, said there had been no request from Akayev or anyone else in his circle to use the base for any reason. Moscow said Thursday it had increased security at its base.
Hundreds of police watched from outside the fence, where thousands more protesters remained. Neither side visibly carried any firearms.
During the takeover, about 1,000 protesters cleared riot police from their positions outside the fence protecting the building, and about half entered through the front. Others smashed windows with stones, tossed papers and tore portraits of Akayev in half and stomped on them.
Many of the demonstrators came from a rally on the outskirts of Bishkek, where protesters roared and clapped when an opposition activist asserted Akayev's foes would soon control the entire country.
"The people of Kyrgyzstan will not let anybody torment them," Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who heads the People's Movement, told the crowd at the earlier rally. "We must show persistence and strength, and we will win."
The crowd swelled to at least 5,000 as marchers reached the government headquarters, a hulking Soviet-era building set well away from the street and surrounded by helmeted riot police with truncheons and shields. A protester charged through the square on horseback, a yellow opposition flag flapping, and protesters chanted "Akayev, go!"
A clash broke out when men in civilian clothes and blue armbands began throwing stones and brandishing truncheons to threaten demonstrators. Protesters retaliated by throwing stones and sticks.
An unknown number of protesters were injured. One had a serious head injury and a broken leg and another broken ribs, said Iskander Shamshiyev, leader of the opposition Youth Movement of Kyrgyzstan.
Officials could be seen leaving through a side door, protected by Interior Ministry troops. Some camouflage-clad troops left the building, and none appeared to be confronting the protesters.
The police appeared disorganized and unwilling to take harsh action as the protesters invaded the building. Dozens of mostly young opposition supporters rampaged inside, some smashing furniture and looting supplies, ignoring protest organizers urging them to stop. Broken glass littered the floors and a drugstore in the building was ransacked.
"It's the victory of the people. But now we don't know how to stop these young guys," said Noman Akabayev, who ran unsuccessfully in the parliamentary elections.
Many of the demonstrators wore pink or yellow headbands signifying their loyalty to the opposition — reminiscent of the orange worn by protesters who helped bring in a new, pro-Western president in Ukraine last year.
There were no immediate signs that the police were preparing to retake the building. Doing so would be more difficult than defending it, because the protesters now occupying it could rain projectiles down on forces.
Unlike the successful anti-government protests in Ukraine and in Georgia in 2003, the Kyrgyz uprising is not led by a central figure. That raises the likelihood of a jockeying for power if Akayev were to step down.
Before the clash, Zainitdin Kurmanov, a leader of the My Country opposition party, said the demonstrators would not leave the square until Akayev resigned. "We want to create a genuinely democratic Kyrgyzstan," he said.
At the initial rally, Interior Minister Keneshbek Dushebayev addressed the crowd and urged them to obey laws. However, in a departure from his warnings the day before of a possible crackdown that could include "special means and firearms," he vowed that no force would be used against peaceful protesters.
"I promise here that force will not be used against the people," he said, drawing jeers from the crowd.
Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev canceled his trip to the rebellious south, where he had hoped to meet with opposition activists who have taken control of the country's second-largest city, Osh, and other administrative centers in the past week. No reason was given.
The protests began even before the first round of parliamentary elections on Feb. 27 and swelled after March 13 run-offs that the opposition and the OSCE (news - web sites) said were seriously flawed.
In power for 15 years, Akayev was long regarded as a reform-minded leader, but in recent years he turned more authoritarian. In 2002, his reputation was tarnished after police killed six demonstrators protesting the arrest of an opposition lawmaker.
Akayev's last allowable five-year term in office was to expire this year, so a possible resolution would be for him to be allowed to remain as president, at least in a figurehead position, while the country prepares for the scheduled October elections. Under such a scenario the disputed parliamentary elections would likely be annulled.
9 minutes ago Europe - AP
By STEVE GUTTERMAN, Associated Press Writer
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan - Hundreds of opposition demonstrators stormed the presidential compound in Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, seizing the seat of state power after clashing with riot police during a large rally.
AP Photo
Reuters
Slideshow: Kyrgyzstan Elections
Kyrgyzstan May Use Force to Restore Order
(AP Video)
Thick plumes of black smoke rose from the vicinity of the government headquarters hours after the takeover as many of the protesters milled about, and a fire truck arrived at the scene.
Imprisoned Kyrgyz opposition leader Felix Kulov was freed as protesters took control of key government facilities, the Interfax news agency reported, citing opposition sources.
Kulov, once a vice president under embattled President Askar Akayev, was imprisoned in 2000 on embezzlement charges that supporters said were politically motivated. His release could be a key element in unifying the Kyrgyz opposition, which until now has lacked a single clear leader.
The whereabouts of Akayev were not known. He had been scheduled to meet Thursday with an envoy from the Organization for Security and Cooperation (news - web sites) in Europe, seeking to help mediate the crisis.
The tumultuous scene was the culmination of the first major rally in the capital since opposition supporters seized control of key cities and towns in the south this week to press demands that Akayev step down amid widespread allegations of fraud during parliamentary elections in the former Soviet republic.
The opposition has accused the 60-year-old Akayev, who is prohibited from seeking another term, of manipulating the parliamentary vote to gain a compliant legislature that would amend the constitution to allow him to stay in office beyond a presidential election set for October. Akayev has denied that.
"I am very happy because for 15 years we've been seeing the same ugly face that has been shamelessly smiling at us," said 35-year-old Abdikasim Kamalov, standing outside the building, holding a red Kyrgyz flag. "We could no longer tolerate this. We want changes."
The Central Asian nation's role as a conduit for drugs and a potential hotbed of Islamic extremism, particularly in the impoverished south, makes it volatile. But Kyrgyzstan lacks the rich energy resources or pipeline routes of its neighbors, its strategic location has made it important to both Russia and the United States, which both maintain bases in the former Soviet republic.
Conflicting media reports said Akayev was at his residence outside Bishkek, or on his way to neighboring Kazakhstan, or even taking refuge at the U.S. base. The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, however, said there had been no request from Akayev or anyone else in his circle to use the base for any reason. Moscow said Thursday it had increased security at its base.
Hundreds of police watched from outside the fence, where thousands more protesters remained. Neither side visibly carried any firearms.
During the takeover, about 1,000 protesters cleared riot police from their positions outside the fence protecting the building, and about half entered through the front. Others smashed windows with stones, tossed papers and tore portraits of Akayev in half and stomped on them.
Many of the demonstrators came from a rally on the outskirts of Bishkek, where protesters roared and clapped when an opposition activist asserted Akayev's foes would soon control the entire country.
"The people of Kyrgyzstan will not let anybody torment them," Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who heads the People's Movement, told the crowd at the earlier rally. "We must show persistence and strength, and we will win."
The crowd swelled to at least 5,000 as marchers reached the government headquarters, a hulking Soviet-era building set well away from the street and surrounded by helmeted riot police with truncheons and shields. A protester charged through the square on horseback, a yellow opposition flag flapping, and protesters chanted "Akayev, go!"
A clash broke out when men in civilian clothes and blue armbands began throwing stones and brandishing truncheons to threaten demonstrators. Protesters retaliated by throwing stones and sticks.
An unknown number of protesters were injured. One had a serious head injury and a broken leg and another broken ribs, said Iskander Shamshiyev, leader of the opposition Youth Movement of Kyrgyzstan.
Officials could be seen leaving through a side door, protected by Interior Ministry troops. Some camouflage-clad troops left the building, and none appeared to be confronting the protesters.
The police appeared disorganized and unwilling to take harsh action as the protesters invaded the building. Dozens of mostly young opposition supporters rampaged inside, some smashing furniture and looting supplies, ignoring protest organizers urging them to stop. Broken glass littered the floors and a drugstore in the building was ransacked.
"It's the victory of the people. But now we don't know how to stop these young guys," said Noman Akabayev, who ran unsuccessfully in the parliamentary elections.
Many of the demonstrators wore pink or yellow headbands signifying their loyalty to the opposition — reminiscent of the orange worn by protesters who helped bring in a new, pro-Western president in Ukraine last year.
There were no immediate signs that the police were preparing to retake the building. Doing so would be more difficult than defending it, because the protesters now occupying it could rain projectiles down on forces.
Unlike the successful anti-government protests in Ukraine and in Georgia in 2003, the Kyrgyz uprising is not led by a central figure. That raises the likelihood of a jockeying for power if Akayev were to step down.
Before the clash, Zainitdin Kurmanov, a leader of the My Country opposition party, said the demonstrators would not leave the square until Akayev resigned. "We want to create a genuinely democratic Kyrgyzstan," he said.
At the initial rally, Interior Minister Keneshbek Dushebayev addressed the crowd and urged them to obey laws. However, in a departure from his warnings the day before of a possible crackdown that could include "special means and firearms," he vowed that no force would be used against peaceful protesters.
"I promise here that force will not be used against the people," he said, drawing jeers from the crowd.
Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev canceled his trip to the rebellious south, where he had hoped to meet with opposition activists who have taken control of the country's second-largest city, Osh, and other administrative centers in the past week. No reason was given.
The protests began even before the first round of parliamentary elections on Feb. 27 and swelled after March 13 run-offs that the opposition and the OSCE (news - web sites) said were seriously flawed.
In power for 15 years, Akayev was long regarded as a reform-minded leader, but in recent years he turned more authoritarian. In 2002, his reputation was tarnished after police killed six demonstrators protesting the arrest of an opposition lawmaker.
Akayev's last allowable five-year term in office was to expire this year, so a possible resolution would be for him to be allowed to remain as president, at least in a figurehead position, while the country prepares for the scheduled October elections. Under such a scenario the disputed parliamentary elections would likely be annulled.