Kyrgyzstan Protesters Storm Gov't Building

[AngelsSix]

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.

[Airbornelawyer]

When he first came to power in the wake of the USSR's collapse, Akayev was the best hope for Central Asia and there was talk of Kyrgyzstan becoming a Central Asian Switzerland. He was favorably contrasted to the authoritarian leaders of the other Central Asian republics - Saparmurad Niyazov of Turkmenistan, Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan and Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan. Apparently he was seduced to the dark side, too.

In case anyone is actually interested in following events in Kyrgyzstan, I recommend the following:

http://www.publiuspundit.com/ - a blog dedicated to following democracy movements around the world (also good for coverage of everywhere from Venezuela to Lebanon).

http://www.registan.net/index.php?cat=38 - a blog covering Central Asia (this specific link is for the Kyrgyzstan, but other places are covered too). This includes contributions from Westerners actually in country.

http://www.rferl.org/ - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

[AngelsSix]

From the Registan.net:

I’ve just been watching Baktybek Adrissayev, Kyrgyzstan’s ambassador to the US, speak in a press conference.

The poor chap looked pretty stressed, and he was doing his very best not to offend anyone back in Kyrgyzstan, but the gist of what he has to say was that although the revolution was unconstitutional, it is important to now enter into negotiations between various groups in Kyrgyzstan. “We have to work now, in order to satisfy all the sides”, he said, before confirming that these “sides” included tribal groups and political elites. Restoring order, he added, is also a key short term priority.

Asked about the location of President Akayev, who has reportedly fled the country, he could only say “I have no idea of his location, but he is in a safe place.” He was, however, able to confirm that the President, unlike the majority of his ministers, had not resigned.


Someone tell me what's unconstitutional about folks trying to seek a better way of life in their country??
Does anyone know exactly where it says in the Kyrgyz constitution that rioting is not allowed?? (I hope you realise I am trying to be funny at this point...while it may be a desperate attempt nonetheless.)

[CommoGeek]

Who is happy they aren't sitting in tent city in Manas right now?

[Airbornelawyer]

My firm actually has an office in Bishkek.

We are in all the major political and financial capitals: New York, London, Washington, Paris, Chicago, San Francisco, Brussels, Beijing, Moscow... Bishkek.

I haven't heard anything from the people in that office, but to be honest I haven't tried contacting them.

[AngelsSix]

AL:

My firm actually has an office in Bishkek. We are in all the major political and financial capitals: New York, London, Washington, Paris, Chicago, San Francisco, Brussels, Beijing, Moscow... Bishkek.

Some interesting facts about Bishkek from the Factbook::

A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, interethnic relations, and combating terrorism.
(I like the combating terrorism part)

Illicit drugs:
limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe
(and they were doing so well with the combating terroism thing.....then this)

Slightly smaller than South Dakota

note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest (2001)
(aren't you glad you know that now?)

Constitution:
adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature
(at the expense of the legislature?? what are they trying to say here?)

Political parties and leaders:
Adilet (Justice) Party [Toychubek KASYMOV]; Agrarian Labor Party of Kyrgyzstan [Uson SYDYKOV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [Erkin ALIYEV]; Alga, Kyrgyzstan (Forward, Kyrgyzstan) [Bolot BEGALIYEV]; Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIYEV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party) [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan [Klara ADZHIBEKOVA]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV]; Erkin Kyrgyzstan Progressive and Democratic Party [Bektur ASANOV]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV]; Future of Kyrgyzstan [Balbak TULEBAYEV]; Jany Kyrgyzstan (New Kyrgyzstan) [Dosbol NUR UULU]; Kairan El [Dooronbek SADYKOV]; Kyrgyz National Party [Bakyt BESHIMOV]; Kyrgyzstan Kelechegi [Ruslan CHYNYBAYEV]; Manas El (Party of Spiritual Restoration) [Chingiz AITMATOV]; Moya Strana (My Country Party of Action) [Joomart OTORBAYEV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Bakytbek BEKBOYEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants [Esengul ISAKOV]
(DAMN!! That's a lot of political parties!!)

One of their main areas of industry is refrigerators. Neat, Huh?

[Airbornelawyer]

Originally Posted by Airbornelawyer

... there was talk of Kyrgyzstan becoming a Central Asian Switzerland...

The talk had to do with creating an economic zone of Swiss efficiency and wealth.

In another sense, Kyrgyzstan was already a Central Asian Switzerland:

[incarcerated]

http://www.stratfor.com/geopolitical...ing_resurgence

Russia's Growing Resurgence

Thursday, April 8, 2010
EVIDENCE OF RUSSIA’S ROLE IN THE OVERTHROW of the Kyrgyz government Wednesday became even clearer Thursday.

Not coincidentally, members of the interim government that the opposition began forming on Wednesday have lengthy and deep ties to Russia. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was not only quick to endorse the new government, but he also offered the opposition Russia’s support — financial or otherwise. Interestingly, Russia on Thursday also sent 150 of its elite paratroopers to its military installation in Kant -– twenty miles from the capital of Bishkek –- leaving a looming suspicion that Russia could step in further to ensure the success of the new government.

Protests take place regularly in Kyrgyzstan. The fact that Wednesday’s protests spun into riots, followed by the seizure then ousting of the government, followed by the installation of a replacement government set to take control — all in less than a 24-hour period — are all clear indicators that this was a highly organized series of events, likely orchestrated from outside the country. Furthering this assumption were reports from STRATFOR sources on the ground that noted a conspicuous Russian FSB presence in the country during the riots. These reports cannot be confirmed, but it is not unrealistic to assume that a pervasive presence of Russian security forces exists in the country.

There are many reasons why Russia decided to target Kyrgyzstan. The country lies in a key geographic location nestled against China and Kazakhstan, and surrounds the most critical piece of territory in all of Central Asia: the Fergana Valley. Whoever controls Kyrgyzstan has the ability to pressure a number of states, including Kazakhstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Kyrgyzstan was also the scene of the 2005 Tulip Revolution, which ushered in President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who is now sheltering himself in the southern regions of the country. It was not that Bakiyev was pro-Western like other color revolution leaders in Georgia and Ukraine, but he was available to the highest bidder and the United States was willing to pay.

The United States has maintained a transit center at the Manas International Airport — which serves as a key logistical hub for its operations in Afghanistan — since 2001. Though Russia has four — soon to be five — military installations in Kyrgyzstan, Manas is the only serious U.S. military presence in Central Asia. With a Russian-controlled government coming into power in Bishkek, Moscow now holds the strings over Manas. This gives Russia another lever to use against the United States within the larger struggle between the two powers.

Russia’s main goal within that struggle is to have Western influence pulled back from its former turf — especially in the former Soviet states — and for the United States to accept Russian pre-eminence in the former Soviet sphere. But Russia is not just waiting for the United States to hand over its former turf. Instead, it has been actively resurging back into these countries using a myriad of tools.

Russia has long exerted its influence in the former Soviet states by attempting to ensure their economic reliance on Russia — as an integrated part of each country’s economy, and/or as an energy provider or energy transistor. This was seen in 2006 when Russia started cutting off energy supplies to Ukraine, and also in Lithuania, to force the countries and their supporters in Europe to be more compliant.

Russia proved in 2008 that it was willing to use military force against its former Soviet states by going to war with Georgia. This move was particularly poignant since Georgia also had been a country turned pro-Western via a color revolution, and was pushing for membership into NATO. In early 2010, Russia showed that it could slowly organize forces in Ukraine to be democratically elected, replacing the pro-Western government elected in the Orange Revolution.

As of Wednesday, Russia has now added to its repertoire of tools used in the former Soviet states the ability to pull off its own style of color revolution with the toppling of the Kyrgyz government.

Russia has been systematically tailoring its resurgence into each country of its former sphere according to the country’s circumstances. This has not been quick or easy for Moscow. The overthrow of Kyrgyzstan has been painstakingly planned for nearly a decade to either flip the country back under Moscow’s control, or at least roll back U.S. influence and make the country more pragmatic to the Russian mission.

Russia knows there is no one-size-fits-all plan for its former Soviet states. The Kremlin cannot simply wage war with each country like it did with Georgia, cut off energy supplies like in Lithuania, set up a democratically elected government like in Ukraine or overthrow the government as in Kyrgyzstan. Now and going forward, Russia will tailor the type of influences it uses to each country it wants to control.