kyrgyz_weekly_e

Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 14-20 Oct 2007

2007-10-21T01:49:46Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 14 - 20 OCTOBER 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. President establishes a party of authorities.
2. Press in Armenia and Moldova is freer than in Kyrgyzstan.
3. Bakiyev consolidates presidential power.
4. Ak Shumkar Party calls on voting against a new constitution.
5. Remittances of labor migrants surpass total aid by donors and direct foreign investment.
6. Moscow seeks to weaken the OSCE.
7. Referendum aims at dissolving the parliament.
8. Russia and the USA help Kyrgyzstan.
9. Also in the week of 14 - 20 October 2007…

15 October, Monday:

1. PRESIDENT ESTABLISHES A PARTY OF AUTHORITIES. The civic movement 'For the Constitution, Reform and Development', which was established on 22 September, just after the president called on 19 September a referendum on the country's new constitution, held in Bishkek on 15 October its congress and set up the new People Party Ak Jol (Bright Path), electing President Kurmanbek Bakiyev its chairman. Bakiyev, who took part in the congress, said the new party would be "a party of workers and achievers, who want to work for the benefit of Kyrgyzstan, not party bosses", however, added he would suspend his membership in it just after it is registered. About 1,000 people took part in the congress; they adopted a manifesto, the party regulations and the program and elected the Political Council of 35 members.

Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev said the same day Bakiyev violates the constitution, according to which a president should not be a member of any political organization while in office. The Ministry of Justice registered the new party the same day, it had 1,035 members, and Bakiyev announced next morning he suspends his membership in it. The party announced on 16 October its leaders would be elected after the referendum, and three deputies to Bakiyev in the party - Elmira Ibrayimova, Vladimir Nifadyev and Avtandil Arabayev - would be on duty.

Several opposition parties announced the same day they would unite now and Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" reported on 19 October former Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev could lead such a united party. Chief editor of the newspaper "Litsa" Bermet Bukasheva said on 17 October Bakiyev surpasses former President Askar Akayev - the pro-presidential forces did not call their party Alga, Kyrgyzstan! As a presidential one openly and did not name Akayev their chairman. RIA Novosti, Interfax, Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress, NG

16 October, Tuesday:

2. PRESS IN ARMENIA AND MOLDOVA IS FREER THAN IN KYRGYZSTAN. Paris-based Reporters Without Borders released on 16 October its sixth annual Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2007 measuring the level of press freedom in 169 countries throughout the world. Eritrea replaced North Korea in last place in it and of the 20 countries at the bottom of the index, seven are Asian - Pakistan (152nd), Sri Lanka (156th), Laos (161st), Vietnam (162nd), China (163rd), Burma (164th), and North Korea (168th), five are African - Ethiopia (150th), Equatorial Guinea (153rd), Libya (155th), Somalia (159th) and Eritrea (168th), four are in the Middle East - Syria (154th), Iraq (157th), Palestinian Territories (158th) and Iran (166th), three are former Soviet republics (Belarus, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan) and one is in the Americas - Cuba (165th). G8 members, except Russia, show slight improvement. Russia (144th) is not progressing. Anna Politkovskaya's murder in October 2006, the failure to punish those responsible for murdering journalists, and the still glaring lack of diversity in the media, especially the broadcast media, weighed heavily in the evaluation of press freedom in Russia.

Among the other former Soviet republics, Estonia is the best occupying the third place in the world and Latvia is the 12th, Lithuania 23rd, Georgia 66th, Armenia 77th and Moldova 81st. The other CIS countries are in the second half of the list - Ukraine 92nd, Kyrgyzstan 110th, Tajikistan 115th, Kazakhstan 125th, Azerbaijan 139th, Belarus 151st, Uzbekistan 160th, Turkmenistan 167th. The countries with the freest press in the world are Iceland and Norway. RSF

3. BAKIYEV CONSOLIDATES PRESIDENTIAL POWER. Russian "Kommersant" reported on 16 October, "Although Bakiev has been president of Kyrgyzstan for over two years, he only gained decisive power in April of this year, when he convinced opposition leader Almazbek Atambaev to become prime minister, this causing a schism in the opposition. In the autumn, Bakiev dissolved the parliament, which had occasionally opposed him, and the country's constitutional court rejected the last two editions of the Constitution passed by the parliament. He made amendments to the Constitution to return to himself the powers the parliament had taken away and held a referendum on the amendments and on a reform of the parliament". Kommersant

4. AK SHUMKAR PARTY CALLS ON VOTING AGAINST A NEW CONSTITUTION. The Ak Shumkar Party appealed to the nation on 16 October asking to vote against the new drafts of both constitution and Election Code, proposed by the authorities to be passed via a referendum set for 21 October. According to the party, the authorities commit unexampled judicial voluntarism reviving the old laws by the court rulings and the Constitutional Court allows establishing authoritarian regime as it did many times before. The Kyrgyz elite keeps silence while the authorities exclude from the constitution criminal punishment for power usurpation, stop decentralization of the power, make the judges more dependant on the president and turn a good idea of electing a parliament by party lists into a decoration of unlimited power of a president. The party, trying to avoid more dramatic consequences, asks people voting against the drafts. 24.kg, BPC

17 October, Wednesday:

5. REMITTANCES OF LABOR MIGRANTS SURPASS TOTAL AID BY DONORS AND DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) released in Rome on 17 October, on the eve of the International Forum on Remittances 2007, which took place in Washington, DC, on 18-19 October, the first global study of remittances. It is said in it that migrants working in industrialized countries sent more than US$300 billion to developing nations in 2006. Donor nations provided $104 billion in aid to developing countries last year, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Remittances are generated by some 150 million migrants who send money home regularly, typically between $100 and $300 at a time. The migrant remittances also surpassed foreign direct investment in developing countries, which last year totaled around $167 billion, according to the Institute of International Finance.

In 2006, Asia was the top destination of remittances, receiving more than $114 billion, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean ($68 billion), Eastern Europe ($51 billion), Africa ($39 billion) and the Near East ($29 billion). Taking nations individually, India received the most ($24.5 billion), followed by Mexico ($24.2 billion), China ($21 billion), the Philippines ($14.6 billion), and Russia ($13.7 billion). Among the CIS countries, Ukraine received the most (after Russia) remittances - $.4 billion, followed by Kazakhstan ($4.9 billion), Uzbekistan ($2.9 billion), Belarus ($2.3 billion), Azerbaijan ($1.8 billion), Georgia ($1.5 billion), Armenia ($1.1 billion), Moldova and Tajikistan ($1.0 billion both), Kyrgyzstan ($800 million) and Turkemnistan ($300 million).

However, the $13.7 billion received by Russia comprised 1.4 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) only in 2006 and the highest figures are for Tajikistan - 36.7 percent, Moldova and Kyrgyzstan (31.4 percent to GDP both) and Uzbekistan - 17 percent. For other CIS countries the remittances are not significant for their economics and the figures are: 8 percent to GDP in Ukraine, 6.5 percent in Kazakhstan, 6.3 percent in Belarus, 3.4 percent in Turkmenistan. According to the Russian Bank, $6 billion was transferred from Russia abroad in 2006. IFAD, Kommersant, Rockefeller

18 October, Thursday:

6. MOSCOW SEEKS TO WEAKEN THE OSCE. Former US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Williamson wrote in the article "Russia Being Russia" issued in Washington-based TCS Daily on 18 October, "For those in power in totalitarian communist regimes the OSCE commitments were an annoyance but not a major impediment. However, as Russia has pursued its authoritarian drift in recent years, these OSCE obligations have proven intolerable. OSCE field missions and election observer missions have contributed to Georgia's Rose Revolution, Ukraine's Orange Revolution and the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan. In other words, the OSCE has helped democrats in these Near Abroad countries advance the March of Freedom. So for 4 years, Moscow has sought to weaken the OSCE; centralize control of field missions and render election observer missions impotent. Moscow has tried to redefine commitments on human rights, democracy and the rule of law so they would be meaningless". TCS Daily

7. REFERENDUM AIMS AT DISSOLVING THE PARLIAMENT. Ajdar Kurtov of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies wrote in an article posted on the Russian site Stoletiye on 18 October that the Kyrgyz parliamentarians have been entrapped very smartly. After the authorities suppressed the opposition rallies earlier this year, the Constitutional Court invalidated the two constitutions adopted in the country after the Tulip Revolution and the country returned back to the constitution of the previous president, Askar Akayev. The new president continues the practice of Akayev and offers to adopt a new constitution through a referendum, while the people have not got time to acquaintance with the text properly while amendments to the constitution are also done in accordance with the Akayev's practice. The referendum set for 21 October aims at dissolving the parliament, because the president and all other authorities, with exception of the parliament, should keep their posts according to the text. Stoletiye

Foreign Aid this Week:

8. RUSSIA AND THE USA HELP KYRGYZSTAN. Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Valentin Vlason said on 16 October Russia would send equipment worth $1 million to the Kyrgyz national railroad company. On 17 October, the Security Assistance Office of the U.S. Embassy turned over HIV-prevention equipment to the Kyrgyz Armed Forces clinics, and a new library for police trainees was opened at the General Shabirov Center of the Ministry of the Interior in Bishkek, refurbished with help from the U.S. Embassy. The same day the U.S. Embassy granted $57,600 worth of Barrett communication equipment to the Border Service of Kyrgyzstan. Kabar, 24.kg, US Embassy

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 14 - 20 OCTOBER 2007:

9. On 14 October, run-off election to parliament was held in the Balykchy constituency and Maksat Abakirov won a mandate collecting 51.36 percent of votes. The two by-elections to parliament were held in the Kara-Kulja and Kerme-Too constituencies the same day. Kurmantai Abdiyev and Duishenkul Chotonov in Kara-Kulja and Kubanychbek Nurmatov and Hulkarpasha Sabirova would contend in the run-offs on 28 October. Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress

10. On 15 October, Erica Marat wrote on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor, "The Kyrgyz parliament still has a chance to cancel the referendum, although few MPs openly criticize Bakiyev’s constitutional project…. Meanwhile, the Central Elections Commission is working with outdated records of registered voters. For example, the commission’s records indicate some 330,000 voters in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital and the largest city in the country. However, most experts agree that roughly 1.2 million people work and live in Bishkek permanently". EDM

11. On 15 October, Mayor of Bishkek Daniyar Usenov said he would buy al the bread and flour business in Bishkek himself if the businesspersons do not stop raising bread prices. According to him, they buy flour from Kazakhstan for 9.8 soms per kilogram and sell it in Kyrgyzstan for 27 to 30 soms. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev signed a decree on 18 October to dawn the VAT for food import to 10 percent. Kabar, 24.kg

12. On 16 October, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said at a meeting of the heads of local governments in Bishkek that the government is not able financing the local societies due to the expenditures for the parliament are too high. Kabar, 24.kg

13. On 16 October, the National Bank said the GDP growth in January-September was 8.5 percent and the industrial output increased by 6.5 percent while the growth of the agricultural product was 2.2 percent. The trade turnover reached $2,260 million, which was more than in the same period of the last year by 48.8 percent, however, export increased by 39.9 percent only and by 59.5 percent without counting gold. Kabar, 24.kg, Regnum, BPC

14. On 16-17 October, the Days of Kyrgyz Culture were held in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Kyrgyz State Secretary Adahan Madumarov decorated Governor Eduard Rossel with the Kyrgyz Order Danaker. Kabar, 24.kg

15. On 17 October, the prosecutor asked at the court on the Aksy Events, which began in Jalal-Abad on 1 October, for a 11-year sentence for former head of the Jalal-Abad Police Department Kubanychbek Tokobayev, a 10-ear sentence for former Deputy Minister of Interior Sadyrbek Dubanayev and a seven-year sentence for former Jalal-Abad Province Prosecutor Zootbek Kudaibergenov. 24.kg

16. On 17 October, Alen Ofoyo of Kyrgyzstan won the Eurasian title in Moscow in the WBKF Kickboxing defeating Sandris Thomson from Latvia. SportLenta

17. On 17-18 October, Principal Deputy to the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Scott Schless and his Advisor Christopher Lozo visited Bishkek. They met with representatives of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Defense, the National Security Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussing security and defense cooperation issues. US Embassy, 24.kg

18. On 18 October, Reuters reported, "Analysts expect Bakiyev to call early elections as soon as December, though he has not said whether he will do so…. Bakiyev has been at loggerheads with parliament, which is packed with his opponents, elected under Akayev's rule". Reuters

19. On 18 October, Political Analyst Mars Sariyev said in an interview with AKIpress Agency that Bakiyev tries now becoming a nationwide leader and neutralizes any charismatic leaders. For instance, the appointment of Daniyar Usenov to the post of Bishkek mayor aims at neutralizing the Bishkek City Assembly and its Chairwoman Nurjamal Baibolova. In general, southern politicians use political technologies better that those from the north. AKIpress

20. On 18 October, Carol Williams, the Senate majority leader in the US state of Montana, who visited Kyrgyzstan on 27 September - 7 October, said, "Kyrgyzstan's efforts to emerge from the shadow of Russian politics are complicated by the country's president, Kurmanbek Bakiev, who is aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin". However, "It is a little beacon struggling to make a democracy…. We should care about them… It is important to have a democratic country in that part of the world". The Missoulian

21. On 18 October, the government decided to complete construction of the Kambarata-2 hydro power station by 22 December 2009. The government would allot 3,500 million soms ($90 million) in 2007-2009 and the Electric Stations Company would add 1,500 million more. Kabar, 24.kg

22. On 18 October, Elzada Sarkashkayeva of the Agency for State Property said 7,240 enterprises, or 72.5 percent, were privatized in Kyrgyzstan by 1 October 2007 and the level of privatization is 97.6 percent in catering, 88.4 percent in industry and 48.8 percent in non-industry sphere. Kabar. 24.kg

23. On 18 October, the Kyrgyz football national team defeated in Bishkek the Jordan team (2 to 0) in the match to join the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign. The second leg will be in Jordan on 28 October. Goal.com, AKIpress

24. On 19 October, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote that as voters in Kyrgyzstan prepare to go to the polls to approve or reject a new constitution on 21 October, analysts say the system used for compiling the electoral roll remains deeply flawed and is obsolete and open to abuse. IWPR

25. On 19 October, Kyrgyz Greens were not able holding a protest rally under slogans "No to Khanstitution!" and "Raise, the hungry nation!" - only about ten people come. The party said the police prevented it checking everyone at the approach to the central square and detained the two their members - Arthur Langolf and Kanybek Sarymsakov. The party also plans suing Mayor of Bishkek City Daniyar Usenov who said on 15 October that some organization intended using the economic situation in their political aims on the eve of the referendum. Police raided on the party office in Bishkek on 18 October. AKIpress, 24.kg, Regnum

26. On 19 October, the Kyrgyz Prosecutor General's Office said law enforcers have so far launched 106 criminal cases against about 70 former President Askar Akayev's relatives and associates, and the office had previously submitted to Russia two requests for the extradition of Aidar Akayev, son of the ex-president, and they were rejected by Russian prosecutors, however, the efforts would be continued. Kabar, 24.kg, RIA Novosti, Itar-Tass, Kommersant

27. On 19 October, Russian Movie Director Sergei Bodrov attended the premiere of his new film Mongol about Genghis Khan in Bishkek. Kyrgyz stunt men and Cameraman Hasan Kadyraliyev took part in the shooting the film. 24.kg

28. On 20 October, it became known that the Ester Holding Group won a case against the Kyrgyz government on the Bishkek City Court. The group bought the Tash-Komur plant of poly crystalline government silicon and the Kyrgyz government wanted to nationalize it. The Ministry of Industry said it would appeal to the Supreme Court. AKIpress

29. On 20 October, the 29th Tokyo Film Festival began; it will last till 28 October. The film Sunduk Predkov by Kyrgyz Director Nurbek Egen represents Kyrgyzstan at its Central Asian part. Vzglyad

50. Appointments and dismissals: On 18 October, Prime Minister Almaz Atanbayev dismissed Jumasarlyk Nurjanov from the post of director of the Agency for State Reserves and Purchases. On 20 October, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Tursun Turdumambetov head of the Agency for State Property replacing Almaz Iamanaliyev. Kabar, 24.kg

Naryn AIYP.

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Announcement

2007-07-01T12:45:24Z

Due to the holiday season, the next edition of the Kyrgyz Weekly would be issued in September.

Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 17-23 Jun 2007

2007-06-24T17:07:54Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 17 - 23 JUNE 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. Kazakhstan or Ukraine Are More Stabile than Russia.
2. Kyrgyzstan amnesties the shadow capital.
3. Premier asks not to poison him more
4. Parliament adopts the rejected law draft in a renewed form.
5. Kyrgyzstan gives no guarantees to supply neighbor countries with water in full capacity.
6. Striving for dependence is a sign of independence.
7. Considering the Aksy case is postponed again.
8. Tiny Kyrgyzstan has 38 air companies.
9. Constitutional reform is delayed again.
10. Also in the week of 17 - 23 June 2007…

17 June, Sunday:

1. KAZAKHSTAN OR UKRAINE ARE MORE STABILE THAN RUSSIA. The Fund for Peace together with Foreign Policy magazine released on 17 June the third annual Failed States Index. The 177 states in the world are divided in it into the four groups: 1. Sustainable (15 countries), 2. Moderate (22 countries), 3. Warning (97 countries) and 4. Alert (32 countries) states. The Twelve Indicators were used: 1). Mounting Demographic Pressures; 2). Massive Movement of Refugees or Internally Displaced Persons creating; 3). Legacy of Vengeance-Seeking Group Grievance or Group Paranoia; 4). Chronic and Sustained Human Flight; 5). Uneven Economic Development along Group Lines; 6). Sharp and/or Severe Economic Decline; 7). Criminalization and/or Delegitimization of the State; 8). Progressive Deterioration of Public Services; 9). Suspension or Arbitrary Application of the Rule of Law and Widespread; 10). Security Apparatus Operates as a "State Within a State"; 11). Rise of Factionalized Elites; and 12). Intervention of Other States or External Political Actors.

Among the former Soviet republics, only Uzbekistan was included in the fourth, most dangerous group of the Alert States with 93.5 points - it is on the 22nd place in the Failed States Index. The other CIS countries are in the third group of Warning States: 39. Tajikistan (88.7 points); 41. Kyrgyzstan (88.2); 43. Turkmenistan (87.5); 48. Moldova (85.7); 51. Belarus (85.2); 58. Georgia (82.3); 62. Azerbaijan and Russia (81.2 both); 103. Kazakhstan (72.3); 106. Ukraine (71.4) and 112. Armenia (70.3 points). The three Baltic states are in the second Moderate states - 135. Latvia (56.7 points); 140. Estonia (50.5); 143. Lithuania (49.0) as are the Czech Republic (42.1), 154. Germany (38.4) or 160. the USA (33.6 points). Kyrgyzstan is ranked better than in 2006 and moved 13 positions down as did Russia - 19 positions down.

The most unstable states in the world are 1. Sudan; 2. Iraq; 3. Somalia; 4. Zimbabwe; and 5. Chad; and the most stable are 177. Norway; 176. Finland; 175. Sweden; 174. Ireland and 173, Switzerland. Fund for Peace

18 June, Monday:

2. KYRGYZSTAN AMNESTIES THE SHADOW CAPITAL. The parliament passed on 18 June a law on amnestying the shadow capital - anyone can come to fiscal bodies and register its capitals or real estates and they would not ask the origination of the property if the client pays 5-percent tax from the declared property. The action would last 90 day after the date when the president signs the law into effect and all the necessary documents and registration bodies are set up. Premier Almaz Atambayev said the law would allow businesspersons working freely, Minister of Finance Akylbek Japarov hoped $200 to $250 millions would be legalized in the country total. Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev responded saying it is a money laundering. 24.kg, AKIpress, RIA Novosti, Interfax, Prime-Tass, DW

3. PREMIER ASKS NOT TO POISON HIM MORE. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev told journalists in Bishkek on 18 June that Turkish doctors confirmed the presence of an unidentified poison in his blood and added, "I am ready to work. The main thing is I have survived and hope that in the future politicians will give up such methods of sorting out relations". He was treated in Ankara for a week and returned in Bishkek on 17 June.

Atambayev told journalists in Bishkek on 22 May, "I was poisoned on 11 May in my office". According to him, he drank a glass of water that day and soon after he lost consciousness for two days, "I am certain it was an attempt to poison me. I had to undergo blood detoxifying procedures for two weeks". He also said he received several threats against his life and they intensified following the government's approval of a bill that would nationalize the Kristall polycrystalline silicon plant. The medical center of the presidential administrative department said on 29 May it found the presence of an unidentified poison in the blood of Atambayev, and he was still under treatment. The Committee for State Security began on 31 May investigating into the fact that the prime minister was poisoned. Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress, RIA Novosti, Itar-Tass, Reuters, IHT, RIA Novosti, Regnum, Itar-Tass, 24.kg, AKIpress

19 June, Tuesday:

4. PARLIAMENT ADOPTS THE REJECTED LAW DRAFT IN A RENEWED FORM. The parliament passed on 19 June the two laws, which allow privatizing the two Kambar-Ata hydro power stations, because they bring them and the Bishkek Thermal Power Plant out of a special law, which did before prohibiting it. The same parliament rejected on 15 June a similar law draft but the four parliamentarians presented the renewed drafts on 18 June, the same day when President Kurmanbek Bakiyev held a special governmental meeting on the issue. Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov said retardation could have serious consequences.

Before the voting, Bakiyev addressed the parliamentarians saying the privatization is needed not for him but for the country, for the nation. According to him, he asked for and the state companies of Kazakhstan and Russia are preparing now the preliminary feasibility studies, because Kyrgyzstan would not survive without foreign capital. He also said he would not dismiss the leadership of the energy sector because they do not cause a problem; a real problem is to change the system as a whole.

Minister of Energy and Fuel Recourses Igor Chudinov said after the session the government would prepare the preliminary feasibility study of completing construction of the Kambar-Ata stations by 1 January 2008. Deputy Ergesh Torebayev stated Kyrgyzstan would be energetic independent now, the other parliamentarian, Erkin Baisalov, said leaders of the sector give the president inauthentic information. Deputy Kamchybek Tashiyev, one of the authors of the passed laws, said there is no danger that the energy enterprises would be sold, however, Director of the Interbilim Center Asiya Sasykbayeva warned Kyrgyzstan could loose its independence because is deprived of the last trump. Edil Baisalov said on 21 June that the wild privatization continues under the liberal slogans and the words by the president that he would not change the leadership of the energy sector explain many things - he took responsibility for the current situation in the sector on himself.

The parliamentary faction Ak-Shumkar stated on 21 June that at least three parliamentarians - Kabai Karabekov, Tashkul Kereksizov and Askar Salymbekov - did not attend the session on 19 June, however, they were counted voting for the law. Erica Marat wrote on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor on 22 June, "Future investors into the Kambarata plants, whether Russian, Kazakh, or Chinese, will probably pursue their political interests in Kyrgyzstan and the region. In a worst-case scenario, domestic or foreign investors might seek short-term benefits and lead Kyrgyzstan’s electricity sector into greater despair". AKIpress, Kabar, 24.kg, BPC, EDM, IHT

5. KYRGYZSTAN GIVES NO GUARANTEES TO SUPPLY NEIGHBOR COUNTRIES WITH WATER IN FULL CAPACITY. The company Electric Stations stated from Bishkek on 19 June that Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev initiated a meeting of leaders of the water and energy sectors of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in Bishkek on 15 June, however, the representatives only who were not able taking decisions arrived and they could not sign any serious documents, so the meeting was a working one only. According to the prognoses, the years 2007 and 2008 would be arid ones and Kyrgyzstan cannot guarantee that the neighbor countries would receive water in full capacity next year because officials of those countries lead the time, not taking part in the needed discussions. AKIpress

20 June, Wednesday:

6. STRIVING FOR DEPENDENCE IS A SIGN OF INDEPENDENCE. Prominent Russian Commentator Vadim Dubnov wrote in an article posted on the site RIA Novosti on 29 June about the initiative of Feliks Kulov to set up a confederative union of Kyrgyzstan with Russia, "Moscow enthusiastically, if without many illusions, greeted a proposal from former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Felix Kulov on a union with Russia. It is evident that Kulov in no way resembles a starry-eyed devotee of a post-Soviet brotherhood, or the Lukashenko of the mid-1990s. Whereas the Belarusian president was motivated by quite tangible illusions of becoming the true ruler of the expanses from Brest to Vladivostok, Kulov is made of a different political stuff. More than that, if such a union were in any way to become a reality, it could be assumed that none of the serious and ambitious Kyrgyz politicians would risk putting the matter on a practical plane. Kulov's initiative, strange as it sounds, is not a sign of a return to the past, when Moscow was the focus of the former-Soviet space, but, on the contrary, a symptom of a strange and unstable but ultimate sovereignty. His imitation of integration is no more than a trick to lure President Bakiyev into a trap, into a propaganda pitfall that has nothing to do with real politics". RIA Novosti

21 June, Thursday:

7. CONSIDERING THE AKSY CASE IS POSTPONED AGAIN. The Supreme Court had again to postpone reconsidering the case about the Aksy mass shooting on 21 June until 28 June. The same decision was taken on 14 June due to a judge in the panel of the Supreme Court to consider the case had been replaced and he needed to familiarize with the case. Judge Akylbek Makerimov heads the panel and Judge Kadychakan Apayitova was replaced by Judge Kanybek Joroyev. However, the relatives of the victims protested and the court decided on 18 June to hold the session on 21 June, but the human rights activists protested again because the people left for regions until 28 June.

Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov stated on 14 June President Kurmanbek Bakiyev ordered on 13 June Chairman of the Supreme Court Kurmanbek Osmonov to stop the trial and Beknazarov asked on 18 June for clarifications. Both Osmonov and the presidential envoy to the parliament, Kanybek Joroyev, stated the same day neither the president nor his administration were involved. According to them, Beknazarov was engaged in populism to raise his popular rating.

The Prosecutor General Office brought accusations against Deputy of Parliament Sultan Urmanayev, who was the governor of the Jalal-Abad Province in 2002, and asked the parliament to strip him of the parliamentary immunity. Urmanayev stated on 12 June that if he is accused, a criminal case should be filed against President Kurmanbek Bakiyev too, who was the prime minister at the time. Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov said on 21 June he was surprised that prosecutors asked to strip Urmanayev of immunity, because they did not provide enough proves for it, however, a special parliamentary commission on the case was formed.

On 17 March 2002, police opened fire at a demonstration near the village of Bospiek in the province. The people headed to Kerben, center of the Aksy District, where a court ruling toward Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov should have been announced on 18 March. He was against ceding some Kyrgyz territories to China and after he began an impeachment procedure against President Askar Akayev, he was arrested in Jalal-Abad on 5 January. It cased mass protests around the country, Sheraly Nazarkulov died during a protest hunger strike in Bishkek on 7 February. Four people were shot dead near Bospiek on 17 March, one more demonstrator died from beating, after returning home, and another young man was shot to dead by police in Kerben, center of the district, on 18 March, where protests continued. 24.kg, RIA Novosti, Kabar, AKIpress, KW, Interfax

8. TINY KYRGYZSTAN HAS 38 AIR COMPANIES. Minister of Transport and communications Nurlan Sulaimanov told the parliament on 21 June Kyrgyzstan does not need all the 38 air carriers registered in the country, it is enough having two or three big companies only. According to him, a two-year license to carry out air service costs 300 soms (about $8) only and the European countries banned flights of the 27 Kyrgyz air companies over Europe.

The European Commission adopted the third update of the Community list of airlines banned in the European Union on 5 March 2007. A total of 49 carriers, including seven from Kyrgyzstan, previously included in the list had been withdrawn since they have ceased operating. However, four companies created in the Kyrgyz Republic were added to the Community list for a total ban. The first black list was announced on 22 March 2006 - the European Union banned 92 airlines from operating in the European skies after 25 March, declaring them unsafe. The blacklist included mostly airlines from the African nations, but there were the two carriers from Kyrgyzstan -Phoenix Aviation and Reem Air. On 12 October 2006, the European Commission published the list of 140 unreliable airlines, which were banned from entering the EU states' air space. The two Kyrgyzstan companies Sky Gate and Star Jet Airlines were got into the list. AKIpress, European Business Guide

22 June, Friday:

9. CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IS DELAYED AGAIN. Minister of Justice Marat Kaiypov stated in Bishkek on 22 June that the Constitution Court could prolong the six-month term foreseen to make an expertise of amendments to the constitution. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev told journalists in Bishkek on 10 April that the president signed and presented to the parliament a new law draft on amendments to the constitution, prepared by the working group set up on 3 April and led by Atambayev. The parliamentary committee for legislation sent it to the Constitutional Court for expertise on 13 April.

Roza Otunbayeva said at a conference in Bishkek on 20 June that the civic society must making pressure over the prime minister to speed up the constitutional reform because he became a premier for the sake of it but is engaged now in economic issues only. According to her, if Atambayev fails in the constitutional reform, his political career would end. Professor Zainidin Kurmanov said on 21 June the Constitutional Court does not hurry now while it took some serious decisions in hours before. AKIpress, Kabar, RIA Novosti, BPS

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 17 - 23 JUNE 2007:

10. On 11-16 June, specialists of the FBI trained Kyrgyz expert criminalists in Bishkek at the Criminalistic Center opened on 11 August 2006 with help from the USA. AKIpress

11. On 18 June, Andrei Ionin wrote in the Russian Profile Magazine that Russia could make troubles to the USA in Eastern Europe with the missile defense systems as well as with the air base Manas in Bishkek with no serious back consequences for Moscow. Profile

12. On 18 June, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said a governmental meeting in Bishkek that the government should initiate working out the law drafts, while the most drafts are being prepared now by the parliamentarians themselves. 24.kg

13. On 18 June, the parliament passed a package of laws on Development Fund of Kyrgyzstan, according to it, the initial means of the fund would be the shares of the company developing the Kumtor gold deposit. 24.kg, AKIpress

14. On 18 June, the M'Adgroup Agency released results of its recent polls. The TV channels First (Russia), NBT, Pyramida, 39th Channel, and RTR Planeta (Russia) are the most popular TV stations in Bishkek. Among the radio stations, Hit FM, Europa+, Radio Chanson, and Russian Radio are the most popular ones and the newspapers "Vecherny Bishkek", "Delo Nomer…", "MSM", "Limon" and "Autoguide" are most in demand. 24.kg

15. On 18 June, the AKIpress agency reported that according to its survey, the Kyrgyz-Russian (Slavic) University is the most expensive one in Bishkek - annual fee at its foreign affairs, juridical and economy departments is about 30,500 soms (about $800). AKIpress

16. On 18-22 June, a Week of Men's Health was organized in the southern Osh Province - local men were consulted by specialists of the Urology Center of the National Hospital free of charge. Similar actions would be held in the Batken (22-25 June) and Jalal-Abad (25-27 June) provinces too. Kabar

17. On 19 June, "Gulf News" of the United Arab Emirates reported, "Just when a US strike on Iran was beginning to look increasingly unlikely, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyzstan announce they won't allow their soil to be used as a launching pad for such an attack". Gulf News

18. On 19 June, the parliament agreed changing the Criminal Code including the amendments on responsibility for separatism in it. 24.kg, AKIpress, BPC

19. On 19 June, Executive Director of the Bishkek Business Club Uluk Kydyrbayev said at a meeting in Bishkek with Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sabyr Moldokulov that the government can provide the country leadership with any growth rate of the gross domestic product they need, so it is better to use other indexes as the index of business and perspective competitiveness. AKIpress, BPC

20. On 19 June, the Bishkek City Council agreed to sell the incomplete hotel complex, known in Bishkek as the family house of the Akayevs, through auction to raise money to prepare for the SCO summit. Kabar

21. On 19 June, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev and Deputy Director of the Russian Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation Aleksandr Fomin discussed in Bishkek issues of reviving the defense enterprises in Kyrgyzstan. Interfax, Regnum

22. On 19 June, the Council of Directors of the World Bank agreed allotting Kyrgyzstan a grant of $16 million for the second part of the irrigation project. The Kyrgyz government should add $4.55 million. AKIpress

23. On 19 June, Minister of finance Akylbek Japarov and representatives of the World Bank agreed in Bishkek that Kyrgyzstan would receive from the Catalytic Fund (Fast Track Initiative) a grant of $9 million in 2008-2009 for the schools of the Batken, Naryn and Chui provinces. AKIpress, 24.kg

24. On 19 June, the security service detained in Bishkek a foreign citizen and Senior Consultant of the Parliamentary Press Service Jyparkul Arykova at the moment when she gave a foreign citizen secret documents. According to the National Security Committee, Arykova worked for a foreign intelligent service, allegedly the Chinese one, for several years, the security officials warned her and she was shadowed. On 22 June, the Prosecutor General Office charged her officially and gave a sanction to arrest. RIA Novosti, Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress

25. On 20 June, Yury Sigov wrote in an article posted on the Russian site Marketing & Consulting that the US administration is interested in Kyrgyzstan only because there is a US air base in Kyrgyzstan. According to him, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are interesting for Washington because of the oil and natural gas deposits and Tajikistan because of its hydro power potential but the US would forgot about Kyrgyzstan very quickly of the base is evicted from the country. M&C

26. On 20 June, the central Election Commission registered Erik Arsaliyev as a deputy of parliament. He won the run-off for vacant seat in the parliament on 10 June. AKIpress, 24.kg

27. On 20 June, a delegation of the European Union led by Eneco Landaburu arrived in Kyrgyzstan. The same day, they met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ednan Karabayev discussing the EC strategy for Central Asia and setting up the Water Energy Academy in Bishkek. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev met the delegation on 21 June, they also had a meeting with representatives of the civic society. Kabar, 24.kg

28. On 20 June, State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov said there is a gradual expansion from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan towards Kyrgyzstan due to residents of the southern Kyrgyz regions left the country to work abroad. Georgy Sitnyansky of the Russian Academy of Sciences also said on 21 June the problem is very serious because the representatives of radical Islam can replace the Kyrgyz left the country. AKIpress, IA-Centr

29. On 20 June, Chairmen of the Border Guard service Zamir Moldoshev met in Isfara, Tajikistan, with Deputy Commander of the Tajik Birder Guard Troops Sherali Mirzoyev discussing issues of cooperation in border guarding and delimitation and demarcation of the border lines. Kabar, 24.kg

30. On 20 June, the World Gold Council reported from London Kyrgyzstan has 2,6 tons of gold in its state reserves and the country occupies the 87th place in the world on the gold reserves. The first is the USA with 8,133.5 tons followed by Germany (3,422.5 tons) and International Monetary Fund with 3,217.3 tons. Interfax

31. On 20 June, Director of the Agency for Geology and Mineral Recourses Vladimir Zubkov told journalists in Bishkek that foreign investors spend up to a million dollars and more for prospecting the gold and other recourses in Kyrgyzstan. Kabar

32. On 20 June, the Russian news agency Vremya Omskoye reported Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Great Britain, Canada, Cyprus and Kyrgyzstan were major investors in the economy of the Omsk Oblast of Russia in 2007. Vremya Omskoye, Omsk-Inform

33. On 21 June, Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev said he had not yet received any answer to his request to the government who gave an order using force against peaceful demonstration in Bishkek on 19 April and were the used special means proper certified. AKIpress

34. On 21 June, a two-year chairmanship in the Inter State Commission on Sustainable Development in Central Asia shifted from Turkmenistan to Kyrgyzstan at a special meeting of the commission in Bishkek. The commission was set up in 1993. Kabar, 24.kg

35. On 21 June, it was announced that a special governmental commission led by Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Baktybek Jekshenov would prepare in two months a conception of social development of Kyrgyzstan for 2007-2010. Kabar, 24.kg

36. On 21 June, Minister of Transport and Communications Nurlan Sulaiman told the parliament that auditors of the Finance Ministry were revising finances of the Manas Airport and the US air base at it and after the revision, lease payment for the base would be done to the state budget directly. According to the minister, the US pays $17.4 million for lease yearly. 24.kg

37. On 21 June, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Uktomkhan Abdullayeva said poverty rate in Kyrgyzstan is 43 percent - monthly income of 2.2 million in the country is less than 800 soms ($21), and 600,000 families are considered abject poor - their monthly budget is about 500 soms. 24.kg

38. On 21 June, Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov said the negotiations between the Kyrgyz government and leadership of the Centerra Gold Inc. of Canada on revising the agreement on developing the Kumtor gold deposit would begin on 16 July. 24.kg

39. On 21 June, Minister of Finance Akylbek and representative of the World bank Roger Robinson signed in Bishkek an agreement, according to which the British Department for international Developments gives Kyrgyzstan a grant of 6.86 million pounds for the second phase of the project on agricultural investments for 2007-2010. Kabar

40. On 22 June, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote that while the estimated cost of generating one kilowatt-hour in Tajikistan is no more than two cents, according to Director of the Bishkek Centre for Economic Analysis Sapar Orozbakov, electricity of the Kambar-Ata hydro power stations would end up costing about eight cents per kilowatt-hour. NBCA IWPR

41. On 22 June, new Chairwoman of the Social Fund Tajikan Kalimbetova told journalists in Bishkek the number of pensioners in Kyrgyzstan would be raised by 79,000 people in 2007 and their total number would be 542,000 by the end of the year due to the retirement age is lowed. The fund needs additional 360,000 soms ($9.5 million) in 2007 and 750 million soms more in 2008 to pay pensions. The fund would use its surplus of 907 million soms stored since 2003, however its debt for back pensions is 2,000 million soms now. Kabar

42. On 22 June, head of the Asian Development bank's delegation Patrick Pylon said at a meeting in Bishkek with Minister of Economic Development Sabyr Moldokulov that the bank has not yet decided to give Kyrgyzstan all its help through grants. Earlier the same day, Minister of Finance Akylbek Japarov announced after meeting with Pylon that the 100 percent support from the bank would be grants. The same day, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said at a meeting with Pylon he hopes the bank would help Kyrgyzstan in writing off its foreign debt. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev also received the delegation, which is in Kyrgyzstan on 21-25 June, on 22 June. Kabar, 24.kg

43. On 23 June, the school leaving parties were held in Kyrgyzstan. Minister of Education Kanybek Osmonaliyev, Mayor of Bishkek Arstanbek Nogoyev and Chairwoman of the Bishkek City Council Nurjamal Baibolova attended the party at the Altyn Kazyna restaurant in Bishkek honouring students who graduated schools of Bishkek with medals. Kabar

44. On 23 June, at about noon, the Yak-40 plane of the Emergency Ministry made an emergency landing in the Kochkor District due to its engines failed. There were 13 people abroad, including Head of the Kyrgyz Civil Aviation Department Alik Askarov, President of the Manas Airport Baktybek Sydykov and two his deputies, and all of them managed to leave the plane before it burned down. They were making a fly-over of civil airports in the republic. RIA Novosti, AKIpress, Itar-Tass

45. Appointments and dismissals: on 23 June, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Sherikbai Sultanov deputy chairman of the Border Guard Service replacing Sadyrbek Dubanayev. Kabar

Naryn AIYP.

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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 27 May - 2 Jun 2007

2007-06-03T20:44:31Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 27 MAY - 2 JUNE 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. Arrests in the Talas Province.
2. Anti American hysteria is in favor of neighbors of Kyrgyzstan
3. World Bank approves the Strategy of Kyrgyzstan development
4. Russia in a geopolitical counter offensive.
5. Kyrgyz government owes to a company develops the gold in Kyrgyzstan.
6. Forum of Kyrgyzstan development.
7. Security committee begins investigating into an attempt to the premier's life.
8. Too much differences between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan - an expert.
9. Misunderstandings between Bishkek and Washington.
10. Kulov is ready to set up a union state to revenge on Bakiyev - a Russian paper.
11. Parliamentary hearing on reforms in the energy sector
12. Kumtor gave 180 tons of gold so far
13. Also in the week of 27 May - 2 June 2007…

27 May, Sunday:

1. ARRESTS IN THE TALAS PROVINCE. Ten people were detained in the northern Talas Province on 26-27 May; they were accused of organizing public disturbances and aggression against the authorities. Human rights activists Ulugbek Osmonov and Arzykan Momuntayeva were among the detainees. Local residents blocked the road and stoned the motorcade of Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev on 26 May damaging five cars, when he visited the province and said the Andash gold mine would be closed so far while the Jerooy mine would begin operating. Local residents were against it saying the mines damage the ecology. The detentions caused new protests, and human rights activists, Deputy of Parliament Bolot Sherniyazov, former Foreign Minister Roza Otunbayeva arrived in, a delegation of elders of the province traveled to Bishkek meeting Atambayev. Prosecutors gave sanctions to arrest the detainees in three days, however, Atambayev ordered to release them and all of them were freed on 1 June on the written letters not to leave their places of residence and under guarantees by Sherniyazov and chairman of the presidential commission of human rights Tursunbek Akun.

Jerooy resumed operating on 28 May, Atambayev said the same day there are some forces behind the protest actions that do not want the new government to work in full capacity and the attack at his cortege was planned properly because some politicians organized it. Human rights activists Edil Baisalov and Tolekan Ismailova said the authorities try threatening people in general and human rights defenders in particular by the arrests, Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov said the authorities themselves organized the disturbances. According to some human rights activists, Atambayev knew beforehand that there would be disturbances and he took riot policemen along with him and, in addition to it, he himself provoked the people. 24.kg, AKIpress

28 May, Monday:

2. ANTI AMERICAN HYSTERIA IS IN FAVOR OF NEIGHBORS OF KYRGYZSTAN. Former Foreign Minister Roza Otunbayeva said in an interview with the Agency AKIpress on 28 May that Russia and the USA should cooperate in Kyrgyzstan responding to good will of the country to keep their military bases on its territory. According to her, the Kyrgyz have the right to expect help from the both great powers to get the country out from the current crisis. Former President of the Institute for Strategic Studies under the Kyrgyz President Valentin Bogatyryov said in a separate interview with the same agency the same day that the current anti American hysteria in Kyrgyzstan is in favor of the countries that do not want the US air base situated in Kyrgyzstan, and China, Russia and Uzbekistan are those countries. However, those countries did not organize the campaign, the people in Kyrgyzstan itself make it. AKIpress

29 May, Tuesday:

3. WORLD BANK APPROVES THE STRATEGY OF KYRGYZSTAN DEVELOPMENT. Michelle Mordasini of the World Bank (WB) told Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev in Bishkek on 29 May the Council of Directors of the bank decided on 22 May the newly worked out Strategy of Development of Kyrgyzstan for 2007-2010 was good prepared plan, which should lead to economic growth if is properly fulfilled. Atambayev asked Mordasini to consider again a possible membership of Kyrgyzstan in the MDRI (Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative), the program of canceling the foreign debt to the WB and the International Monetary Fund. According to Atambayev, the decision by the previous Kyrgyz government to reject the HIPC program was a political decision and he considers it was a mistake. The bank rejected the Kyrgyzstan's proposal to take part in the MDRI on 17 May, because it is for the countries where the GDP per capita is less then $380 a year and the figure in Kyrgyzstan is $433. Mordasini also had a meeting with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev on 30 May. 24.kg, Kabar

30 May, Wednesday:

4. RUSSIA IN A GEOPOLITICAL COUNTER OFFENSIVE. Vasili Rukhadze wrote 30 May in an article entitled "Russia's Geopolitical Counter-Offensive in the Former Soviet Union" posted on the site Abkhazia, CA, and gives an example on Kyrgyzstan among many other cases, "In Kyrgyzstan, after the 2005 Tulip Revolution, the new fragile regime of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was plunged into political infighting and rampant corruption. The government felt threatened by deep public discontent. The killing of an ethnic Russian driver at an American military base at Manas and the worsening of Kyrgyz-American relations (as many suggest, masterminded by Russian security services) scared Bishkek's new rulers. Russia easily managed to bend Kyrgyzstan back to Moscow's orbit. The country's energy infrastructure and communications sector opened to Russian monopolies. In addition, Russia upgraded its military base at Kant at the same time changing its status to that of a 'permanent' base. Moscow is working to expand its military presence in the country and establish another base in southern Kyrgyzstan at Osh. At the same time, the Kremlin pressed Kyrgyz authorities to astronomically increase the annual rent for the US air-base at Manas from $2 million to $150 million. Through the Kyrgyz government, Moscow is pushing for the final expulsion of American military forces from the country. The Kremlin is also trying to stomp out all the remnants of pro-Western political forces from Bishkek's power halls". Abkhazia

5. KYRGYZ GOVERNMENT OWES TO A COMPANY DEVELOPS THE GOLD IN KYRGYZSTAN. Vice Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament Kubanychbek Isabekov stated in Bishkek on 30 May that the state-owned company Kyrgyzaltyn transferred $11 millions to the African off-shore company Eckerd Ltd. in 2004. The money was allotted by Centerra Gold (subsidiary of Canadian Cameco) on 24 June 2004 as a payment in compensation due to an incident happened at the Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan happened in July 2002, however, it was transferred to Eckerd Ltd. as a repayment of the debt of the Kyrgyz government to Cameco. According to Isabekov, he made a request to investigate into the case and he understands now residents of the Issyk-Kul Province who block the roads to Kumtor protesting against it. Isabekov said Kyrgyzstan could repay its foreign debt if Kumtor is nationalized and Cameco is replaced by "a good investor".

Isabekov also said there is an agreement between Kyrgyzstan and the Kumtor Operating Company (KOC), another subsidiary of Cameco, that the KOC pays compensations to local residents if some damages happen, however, the Kyrgyz government must reimburse it later. Kabar, AKIpress, 24.kg

31 May, Thursday:

6. FORUM OF KYRGYZSTAN DEVELOPMENT. The Forum of Development of Kyrgyzstan was held in Bishkek on 31 May, representatives of the main international donor organizations took part in it. Kyrgyz Finance Minister Akylbek Japarov presented the Strategy of Development of Kyrgyzstan in 2007-2010 at the forum. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev told the meeting the poverty rate should be cut by 30 percent in the country according to the strategy and the incomes of the citizens should be increased by 40 percent because the annual growth of GDP would be 8 to 9 percent if the strategy is implemented. According to the president, the corruption rate in the country has been cut sharply and the economic growth was 9 percent in the first four months of the year. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said at the forum the state budget doubled recently due to the corruption was cut, however, the country needs strengthening control over the use of foreign aid. Head of the mission of the International Monetary Fund Paolo Neuhaus said Kyrgyzstan would turn into a tiger of Central Asia if there would be a 9-percent growth yearly, however, according to him, reforms in the energy sector are suspended so far.

Japarov said the 53 percent of the country's economy is financed by the state now, the private sector gives 29 percent and 13 percent are the loans under the governmental guarantees. The government plans that the structure would be changed by 2010 and the state would finance the 39 percent of the economy, 52 percent would be direct investments and the foreign aid would be 9 percent only. According to the minister, GDP per capita would be $872 in 2010, its annual growth would be 15 to 18 percent, the real growth of income of citizens would be around 3 percent and the corruption would be cut by 50 percent while the budget revenues should increase by 30 percent. Japarov also said the government plans dragging $500 million investment yearly.

Regional Director of the World Bank Annette Dixon told the forum the macroeconomic figures are good, however, it is not enough. Kori Udovicki, the UN Assistant Secretary-General, said Kyrgyzstan would not be able to meet by 2015 some aims of the Millennium Development Goals, such as in the areas of fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and reduction of child mortality. According to her, the main problem is the migration from Kyrgyzstan abroad - there are 500,000 Kyrgyz citizens living and working in Russia and Kazakhstan, they send money to their relatives in Kyrgyzstan, however, their children left in the country are like orphans actually. Kabar, AKIpress, 24.kg, Itar-Tass

7. SECURITY COMMITTEE BEGINS INVESTIGATING INTO AN ATTEMPT TO THE PREMIER'S LIFE. The Committee for State Security began on 31 May investigating into the fact that Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev was poisoned, however, 20 days after it occurred. Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev told journalists in Bishkek on 1 June a special state commission should have been formed and expressed his surprise that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev have not yet said anything about it while the attempt happened in the government building.

Atambayev told journalists in Bishkek on 22 May, "I was poisoned on 11 May in my office". According to him, he drank a glass of water that day and soon after he lost consciousness for two days, "I am certain it was an attempt to poison me. I had to undergo blood detoxifying procedures for two weeks ". Atambayev also said he received several threats against his life and they intensified following the government's approval of a bill that would nationalize the Kristall polycrystalline silicon plant. The medical center of the presidential administrative department said on 29 May it found the presence of an unidentified poison in the blood of Atambayev, and he is still under treatment. Kabar, AKIpress, РИА Новости, Itar-Tass, Reuters

8. TOO MUCH DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KYRGYZSTAN AND KAZAKHSTAN - AN EXPERT. Director of the Bishkek Center of Economic Analyses Sapar Orozbakov said in an interview with the AKIpress Agency on 31 May that it would be difficult to set up a state union between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan because the two countries have more differences than similarities. According to him, the form of governance in Kazakhstan is a mix of authoritarianism and democracy and such a model in Kyrgyzstan could lead to a dead end. The differences are so serious that the leaders of the other countries are afraid of anything happened in Kyrgyzstan, which is too far on the democratic path to turn back. That was why the presidents of the neighboring countries work secretly against democratization in Kyrgyzstan and it leads to anti American mood in the country. President Nursultan Nazarbayev does little to implement what he declares and there are many obstacles to free exchange of either goods of labor forces imposed by Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan. AKIpress

1 June, Friday:

9. MISUNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN BISHKEK AND WASHINGTON. "The International Herald Tribune" reported on 1 June, "U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrives here early this month, according to the U.S. embassy here. When he does he'll find pressure from Russia and China, as well as some Kyrgyz officials, to close the [US] air base…. The Kyrgyz parliament has urged the government to evict the Manas base. Just last month, the Foreign Ministry said any use of the base beyond the Afghanistan operation would be 'unacceptable' - an apparent reflection of concerns it would be used for strikes inside Iran or Iraq. About the same time, the speaker of the Kyrgyz parliament said he had asked Russia to send border guards to secure the nation's frontiers…. Relations between the U.S. and its Kyrgyz hosts have been marked by conflict and misunderstandings. There have been disputes over payments, a fatal shooting and the mysterious reported kidnapping of an American. When Kyrgyzstan's only Tu-154 passenger airliner - which doubled as the president's personal jet - was damaged in the collision with a taxiing U.S. military tanker, the U.S. blamed Kyrgyz air traffic controllers while the government blamed the U.S. tanker crew. Putin, sensing an opportunity, stepped in and generously donated a new presidential plane". IHT

10. KULOV IS READY TO SET UP A UNION STATE TO REVENGE ON BAKIYEV - A RUSSIAN PAPER. Russian "Kommersant" reported on 1 June about the new initiative by Former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Feliks Kulov who suggested on 30 May creating a confederation of Russia and Kyrgyzstan, "In an effort to win Moscow's succor in his rivalry with President Kurmanbek Bakiev, Kulov is willing to share with Russia national currency, budget and even parliament…. The opposition leader is going to collect 300,000 signatures in support of the union to put the issue on vote at a national referendum…. Kulov is evidently determined to put up opposition against his main rival, Bakiev, who dismissed him in January and broke up an really in April, arresting some of his allies". However, according to the newspaper, "Bakiev, who has recently become more Russia-leaning, might have to come up with a similar initiative to confirm pro-Russian stance". And Russian "officials say that Bishkek only have to voice its bid, and it will become the third party in the union" between Russia and Belarus.

Kulov said in an interview with the Bishkek TV channel NBT on 30 May that Kyrgyzstan should set up a union with Russia on basis of confederation while keeping its statehood and national sovereignty, "Kyrgyz citizens who live and work in Russia strengthen its economy and help their compatriots here. So, people have already voted with their feet for a union with Russia in reality. And we only have to make it official somehow". Kommersant, AKIpress

11. PARLIAMENTARY HEARING ON REFORMS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR. The parliamentary committee on energy, fuel and water resources held a hearing in Bishkek on problems of privatization in the energy sector. To give the two Kambar-Ata hydro power stations into concession, they should be excluded from the law of special status of the Toktogul hydro power stations. The committee recommended the parliament to approve the governmental plans to bring foreign investors to complete construction of the Kambar-Ata stations. The parliament is expected considering the issue on 4 June.

The government plans setting up a Kyrgyz-Russian-Kazakh joint venture, in which Kyrgyzstan would have 34-36 percent of shares, and Kazakhstan and Russia to have 32-33 percent each. Chairman of the committee Kamchybek Tashiyev said at the hearing Kyrgyzstan should have at least 51 percent, but Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev replied the issue of percentage is not yet discussed seriously. He asked the parliamentarians not postponing the issue to the fall because the country looses $120 million yearly without the stations. Finance Minister Akylbek Japarov said foreign investors would not come if Kyrgyzstan would keep 51 percent shares in the project. Deputy Temir Sariyev demanded the government must calculate everything itself and the others said there should be a several different options to be prepared. Kabar, AKIpress, 24.kg

12. KUMTOR GAVE 180 TONS OF GOLD SO FAR. Kumtor Operating Company, which develops the Kumtor gold deposit in Kyrgyzstan, said on 1 June, there were 182 tons of gold produced at it since May 1997 and the total revenue from selling it was $2,040 million while taxes and other dues paid was $750,000. Production of other precious metals at Kumtor is not profitable. Leader of the Erkindik Party Topchubek Turgunaliyev stated on 31 May there could be other metals developed at the mine and the company could have million-dollar profit from it. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said at the forum of development in Bishkek on 31 May the issue of Kumtor must be resolved through negotiations only. Finance Minister Akylbek Japarov said at the forum the government is in negotiations with the Canadian investors to get 61-percent share in the project. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said during a meeting with IMF representative Paolo Neuhaus in Bishkek on 31 May that some international companies robbed the Kyrgyz nation using the corrupt Kyrgyz government.

Kyrgyzstan had initially the 67 percent share in profit of the project, but it reduced to 33 percent after the reorganization in 2003 and then the government had to sell some shares and obtains now only 16 percent. According to Turgunaliyev, the general agreement of 1992 envisaged that the Kyrgyz government would have got management over Kumtor in five years, but it did not happen. The Institute for Public Policy reported on 1 June, "One of the main causes of the current situation with gold mine operator is a chronic lack of transparency in relations of state authorities and investors". The Russian Fund Reforma said in 1993 there are 700 tons of gold, 100 tons of platinum, 250 tons of palladium, 400 tons of silver, more than 1,000 tons of tellurium and many tons of tungsten in Kumtor. Kabar, AKIpress, DW, KW, IPP

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 27 MAY - 2 JUNE 2007:

13. On 26 May, Director General of the Kyrgyzaltyn state-owned company Almazbek Jakypov said the KazakhGold Company, registered in Great Britain, bought the shares in the Talas Gold Mining Company from the Oxus Company of Britain. The latter developed the Jerooy gold deposit in Kyrgyzstan before. AKIpress

14. On 27 May, re-voting was held in the six polling stations of the Kemin constituency of the northern Chui Province and, according to preliminary results, Eric Arsaliev won a parliamentary mandate to the parliament. 24.kg

15. On 28 May, Chairman of the Russian Council for Foreign and Defense Policy Sergei Karaganov said the efforts by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev to set up the Unistan in Central Asia have no meaning because all the states of the region are suspicious to each other and to Kazakhstan especially. In addition to it, they have different models of development. Kommersant-Vlast

16. On 28 May, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said during a meeting with Johannes Lynn, Councilor of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) of the Asian Development Bank that Kyrgyzstan hopes the CAREC would support projects on exporting electric power from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan and Afghanistan. Kabar

17. On 29 May, the Institute for Public Policy published the summary of a round table on the situation around the US air base in Kyrgyzstan, held on 25 May. The experts agreed that "the current round of public discussion about the fate of Ganci air base is rather artificially create, and should not lead to some radical decisions. However, in light of forthcoming SCO summit in Bishkek in August the issue will inevitably be raised over and over, which means the Kyrgyz leadership should adopt and defend its own stance on the issue". IPP

18. On 29 May, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev received in Bishkek Kori Udovicki, the UN Assistant Secretary-General, and discussed with her aspects of bilateral cooperation in the education, health care and environment sectors. On 28 May, she had meetings with Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev and Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev, on 29-30 May she attended a regional conference on partnership in Central Asia and on 31 May, Udovicky took part in Bishkek in the development forum. Kabar, 24.kg

19. On 29 May, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said at a meeting in Bishkek with representatives of donor organizations that Kyrgyzstan received about $1,500 millions of help and plus $117 millions as technical support from the international financial organizations since 1991. Kabar

20. On 29 May, Finance Minister Akylbek Japarov told journalists in Bishkek foreign donors would give Kyrgyzstan about $100 millions in 2007 for different projects. According to him, 41 projects were financed in 2006 and a single one out of them is under risk now. The main donors are the World Bank and the Asian, Islamic and German development banks. 24.kg

21. On 29 May, World Bank Representative to Kyrgyzstan Roger Robinson said in Bishkek that opening a public bank account to collect money to repay the country's foreign debt is a form of new taxation of the country citizens. 24.kg

22. On 29 May, it was announced in Bishkek that Kyrgyzstan and the World Bank signed on 22 May an agreement that the Fund Education for All would give a grant of $9 millions for the Kyrgyz education sector in 2007-2008. AKIpress, Kabar

23. On 29 May, a project to reform and modernization of the Kyrgyz Customs Service was presented in Bishkek; the European commission allots €700,000 for it. Kabar

24. On 29 May, the Statistical Committee said an average monthly salary in the country was 3,448 soms (about $90) in January-March, or 30 percent more compared to the same period on 2006. Number of registered unemployed was 74,300, or 3.4 percent to laboring population by 1 May. The Committee for Migration and Employment said number of unemployed was 106,700. Kabar

25. On 29 May, Martin Fluch, a teacher at the school 18 in Osh City, began a marathon from Bishkek to Osh. He plans running 680 kilometers in 12 days and hopes raising money to buy new blackboards for the school and German books for his students by his action. 24.kg, Eurasianet

26. On 29 May, Minister of Culture and Information Sultan Rayev received Anastasia Volochkova, the promionent Russian ballet dancer, who danced as Giselle on 30 May at the Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theater. Kabar

27. On 29-30 May, UN Development Program and the Ministry of Economic Development of Germany held in Bishkek a regional conference on ways to help the Central Asian states. Government officials of the five Central Asian countries, representatives of their non-governmental organizations as well as UN agencies and donors took part. AKIpress, DW

28. On 29-31 May, the military exercises Issyk-Kul-Counter-Terror-2007 were held in Kyrgyzstan, representatives of the counter terrorism services of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Anti Terrorism Center of the CIS as well as special services of Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and the observer states in the SCO - India, Mongolia and Pakistan - attended. Kabar, RIA Novosti

29. On 29 May-1 June, a Kyrgyz parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Marat Sultanov visited Saint Petersburg, Russia, taking part on 31 May in a session of the CIS Inter Parliamentary Assembly. Kabar, 24.kg

30. On 30 May, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said at a meeting in Bishkek with department head at the Asian Development Bank Juan Miranda that the bank gave Kyrgyzstan loans worth $604 millions total plus $34 millions in technical assistance since 1994. According to Atambayev, a half of the help is given as grants; however, Kyrgyzstan wants to receive everything in grants. Kabar

31. On 30 May, World Bank Representative to Kyrgyzstan Roger Robinson named in Bishkek 21 winners out of 219 projects took part in a contest to receive small grants in 2007. The winners would receive grants of $1,100 to $4,000 each. In total, the bank allotted $280,000 for 112 small projects in Kyrgyzstan in the last 12 years. Kabar

32. On 30 May, Georgy Sitnyansky wrote in an article posted on the Russian site Fund for Strategic Culture that while the Kyrgyz from the southern regions move to the north in Kyrgyzstan they are substituted by the Uzbeks from neighboring Uzbekistan since 2000 due to the state policy of Tashkent: local farmers in Uzbekistan must sell their products on fixed prices and that is why they prefer moving to Kyrgyzstan. FondSK

33. On 30 May, the explosion went off in the office of the Uzbek-language newspaper Osh Sadosi in Osh City, nobody was injured, but the paper archives were destroyed. The office was situated in a five-store building in the center of the city, which was shared by several other organizations. A woman of European nationality was detained by police. Kabar, BPC, RIA Novosti, Itar-Tass

34. On 31 May, Clemens Van de Sand of the German Ministry for Economic Development told journalists in Bishkek that if investments from the EU to the Central Asian states would be €58 million in 2007, it would increase to €139 million by 2015. Kabar

35. On 31 May, Finance Minister Akylbek Japarov and representative of the Asian Development Bank in Kyrgyzstan Ashraf Malik signed in Bishkek the two agreements - one on a grant of $2 million from the Japanese Fund for Poverty Reduction for rural women in Kyrgyzstan and another one on the project to support agriculture in the southern regions of the country ($15 million as a loan plus $5 million as a grant). Kabar, AKIpress

36. On 31 May, Deputy Governor of the southern Jalal-Abad Province Aibek Akbarov said 192-million-som investments was dragged to the province from China in 2006 and 19 million more in 2007. Kabar

37. On 31 May, the Central Election Commission named Osmonali Attokurov a winner to a vacnt seat in the parliament. He collected 50.2 percent of votes in the run-off held on 13 May in the Otuz-Adyr constituency of the southern Osh Province. 24.kg

38. On 31 May, Chairman of the Erkindik Party Topchubek Turgunaliyev opposed a proposal to close the US air base in Kyrgyzstan saying if so, the Russian air base in Kant must also be closed. Turgunaliyev also said Kyrgyzstan must have a controlling package of shares in any investment project connected with the Kambar-Ata hydro power stations. 24.kg, AKIpress

39. On 31 May, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said at the development forum in Bishkek that the Asian Development Bank is ready giving Kyrgyzstan $40 million to build a new gas pipeline from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan through the Kyrgyz territory. 24.kg

40. On 31 May, Chairman of the Erkindik Party Topchubek Turgunaliyev accused former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov of being an agent of the Russian Federal Security Service. According to Turgunaliyev, Kulov's nickname at the service is 'Goncharov' and the number of his file is RB-8737. Deputy of Parliament Dooronbek Sadyrbayev responded the same day saying Kulov is not an agent because he has not been able to fulfill the duties. AKIpress, BPC

41. On 1 June, the first meeting of the Sages Council was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two former foreign ministers, Muratbek Imanaliyev and Roza Otunbayeva, as well as former USSR Consul to Japan Ishenbai Abdurazakov became members of the eight-strong council, and Imanaliyev was elected its chair. On 31 May, the first meeting of the 21-member Public Council for Foreign Policy was also held at the ministry, Ambassador Ermek Ibrayimov became its chairman. Kabar

42. On 1 June, Head of the Lenin District Police Department of Bishkek Madiyar Kuluyev won a legal case against Minister of Internal Affairs Bolotbek Nogoibayev at a district court. The minister dismissed him on 4 April and now, Kuluyev must be restored in the capacity. AKIpress

43. On 2 June, the United Front for Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan held the second People Gathering in a square in the center of Bishkek. It was announced at it the front would begin collecting signatures to hold a public referendum on setting up a union with Russia. Leader of the font Feliks Kulov said only those who are thieves are afraid of such a union. According to him, Kyrgyzstan would not loose its independence from it because it has no independence now - the country is not able taking some decisions without approval from the IMF. The gathering adopted a resolution, which says 300,000 signatures should be collected in July-September and if the Kyrgyz authorities do not react, the front would hold mass rallies in October-November demanding to dissolve the parliament and the president to resign. About 200 people took part in the meeting, it was planned to be held in the Sport Palace but its authorities did not allow. AKIpress, 24.kg

44. On 2 June, the Movement to Evict the US Air Base from Kyrgyzstan held a protest picket in front of the US Embassy in Bishkek demanding to close the base, to denounce an agreement on it and to extradite Zachary Hatfield, the US airman who shot dead a Kyrgyz citizen at the base last December, to Kyrgyzstan. About 50 people took part in the action, which lasted for about an hour. AKIpress, 24.kg, IHT, Reuters

45. Appointments and dismissals: on 28 May, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Aibek Alybayev deputy head of the presidential administration. On 1 June, new Deputy Minister of Education and Science Adin Boronov was introduced to the staff. Kabar

Naryn AIYP.

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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 20-26 May 2007

2007-05-27T17:32:36Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 20 - 26 MAY 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. Speaker suggests Russian border guards returning in Kyrgyzstan.
2. Widow of killed Ivanov is not satisfied with compensation.
3. Premier is not satisfied with abilities of its government.
4. Local authorizes were responsible for the Aksy shootings.
5. Premier is suspected being poisoned.
6. Anti-terrorism Media Forum in Bishkek.
7. Most harmful manifestations of fear begin flourishing in the world.
8. Parliamentarians try closing the US airbase in Kyrgyzstan.
9. Moscow is prodding to anti American Campaign in Kyrgyzstan.
10. Also in the week of 20 - 26 May 2007…

21 May, Monday:

1. SPEAKER SUGGESTS RUSSIAN BORDER GUARDS RETURNING IN KYRGYZSTAN. Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov told journalists in Bishkek on 21 May about his visit to Moscow on 17-19, "We brought up the issue of bringing Russian border guards back to this country, as Kyrgyzstan's military budget does not yet allow us to ensure our country's proper defense capabilities and protect our southern borders, which are also the borders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)". He said he also suggested in Moscow to increase the number of personnel at the CSTO airbase in Kant near Bishkek, "If the Kant base is enlarged, the security of our airspace and our state borders will be ensured, and [the need for] further operations at the [American] Manas base could be discussed". According to Sultanov, the Russian airbase in Kant is a Kyrgyz base too, because it protects the country.

The same day, CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha said in Bishkek that Russia currently is not prepared to send troops to Kyrgyzstan, but would consider sending advisers to assist the Kyrgyz frontier service. He also said the number of Russian troops at the Kant airbase would not be increased. Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" called the Sultanov's initiative an awkward PR-action and dependence. RIA Novosti, NG, AKIpress

2. WIDOW OF KILLED IVANOV IS NOT SATISFIED WITH COMPENSATION. Marina Ivanova, widow of Aleksandr Ivanov, who was shot dead by US airman Zachary Hatfield at the Manas airbase on 6 December 2006, said on 21 May, "The U.S. secretary of defense has offered me $50,000 in compensation for my husband's killing by an American soldier". It is the same sum she received as a compensation from an employer of her husband, "This is the latest handout, a humiliation. I do not consider it a gesture of goodwill, they do not want me to demand anything more", Ivanova said. Her lawyer Galina Skripkina called the U.S. compensation payment a "humiliation", because usual compensation rate is two times more. According to her, "The American side does not deny the murder, but they are trying hard to exempt serviceman Zachary Hatfield from account," the Americans talk about democracy everywhere but do little to realize the democratic principles. So does the Kyrgyz government, which did little to help the Ivanov family, Skripkina said.

Base commander Col. Joel Scott Reese said in a statement released the same day the United States "recognizes her emotional and financial hardships. It is for this reason that the Secretary of Defense is providing monetary assistance to her and her family. It is hoped that this final gesture of goodwill will ease her difficulties associated with this tragic event." 24.kg, Interfax, AKIpress, IHT

3. PREMIER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH ABILITIES OF ITS GOVERNMENT. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said in parliament on 21 May during a discussion on privatization in the energetic sector that the current government is not able to take any serious decision. According to him, every energetic company has its own owner and own finances and the government has little influence on them. However, the country leadership would change the situation and is preparing now new law drafts to manage the sector.

Deputy Raiymbek Mamyrov said during the discussion the government left already hold of the sector, Deputy Bolot Sherniyazov said the energy sector gave profit of 2,400 million soms a year before begun being privatized and now, the profit is 190 million only. Minister of Energy and Fuel Resources Igor Chudinov and Chairman of the Committee for State Property Almaz Imanaliyev were not able answering some questions of parliamentarians during the discussion, which continued the following days. Deputy Akmatbek Keldibekov said on 22 May no single profitable sector of industry left in the country after 15 years of privatization. The parliament recognized on 24 May the government activity on realization of the three stages of privatization in the energy sector not satisfied. Atambayev said there would not be order in the sector until foreign countries, for example Kazakhstan or Russia, would take part in managing it. Consideration of the fourth stage of the privatization was postponed. 23.kg, AKIpress

22 May, Tuesday:

4. LOCAL AUTHORIZES WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AKSY SHOOTINGS. Deputy Prosecutor General Aleksandr Neforosnykh said on 22 May his office appealed to the Supreme Court asking to cancel all the previous rulings on the Aksy events to begin new investigation because new circumstances unveiled recently. According to him, policemen of the southern Jalal-Abad Province received fire arms at 13:30 on 17 March 2002 in spite of a public demonstration in the region was peaceful by that time. After it, Mr.Tokobayev, commander of the province police department, gave an order at 14:00 to use the special police plan Taifun, which is used during the public disturbances, however, the written order was registered at 18:00 only, after the shooting.

On 17 March 2002, police opened fire at a demonstration near the village of Bospiek in the province. The people headed to Kerben, center of the Aksy District, where a court ruling toward Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov should have been announced on 18 March. He was against ceding some Kyrgyz territories to China and after he began an impeachment procedure against President Askar Akayev, he was arrested in Jalal-Abad on 5 January. It cased mass protests around the country, Sheraly Nazarkulov died during a protest hunger strike in Bishkek on 7 February. Four people were shot dead near Bospiek on 17 March, one more demonstrator died from beating, after returning home, and another young man was shot to dead by police in Kerben, center of the district, on 18 March, where protests continued. Кабар, 24.kg, RIA Novosti, KW

5. PREMIER IS SUSPECTED BEING POISONED. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev told journalists in Bishkek on 22 May, "I was poisoned on 11 May in my office". According to him, he drank a glass of water that day and soon after he lost consciousness for two days, "I am certain it was an attempt to poison me. I had to undergo blood detoxifying procedures for two weeks ". Atambayev also said he received several threats against his life and they intensified following the government's approval of a bill that would nationalize the Kristall polycrystalline silicon plant, however, it would not force him to step down as prime minister, "I do not like to be intimidated".

The government spokesman said Atambayev had never filed a statement with the police regarding his alleged poisoning, while parliament speaker Marat Sultanov told journalists the same day that the premier should undergo medical examination and if the poisoning attempt is confirmed parliament would initiate a criminal investigation into the incident. A source in the Prosecutor General's Office also said Tuesday Atambayev had not turned to them and the office had not launched criminal proceedings. But a source in the Kyrgyz National Security Committee said it had begun an investigation into the alleged poisoning. Atambayev said on 24 May the state guard service investigates into the case. RIA Novosti, 24.kg, IHT, Itar-Tass

6. ANTI-TERRORISM MEDIA FORUM IN BISHKEK. The CIS Counter Terrorism Center, the Organization of Collective Security Treaty (CSTO), the OSCE Center in Bishkek, the Executive Committee of the International Anti Terrorism Media Forum, the Kyrgyz and Russian news agencies Kabar and RIA Novosti, the Institute for Strategic Studies under the Kyrgyz President organized in Bishkek on 22-24 May media forum addressed the role of media in countering 21st century threats and challenges. CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha said at it the information security is such important as military security is nowadays, so, it is not necessary now to send troops somewhere to destabilize the situation, it is enough holding a proper PR campaign only. Kyrgyz State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov said at the forum on 22 May Kyrgyzstan is under unprecedented attack now from some media organizations. It was decided to hold such forums in Bishkek yearly. RIA Novosti, AKIpress, Kabar, Gazeta.kz, 24.kg, IWPR, DW, Interfax

23 May, Wednesday:

7. MOST HARMFUL MANIFESTATIONS OF FEAR BEGIN FLOURISHING IN THE WORLD. London-bases Amnesty International (AI) released on 23 May the report on the human rights situation in the world in 2006. Irene Khan, AI secretary general, writes in the Foreword, "History shows that it is not through fear but through hope and optimism that progress is achieved. So, why do some leaders promote fear? Because it allows them to consolidate their own power, create false certainties and escape accountability…. In developed countries, as well as emerging economies, the fear of being invaded by hordes of the poor is being used to justify ever tougher measures against migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers…. The hypocrisy of the politics of fear is such that governments denounce certain regimes but refuse to protect those escaping from them….If unregulated migration is the fear of the rich, then unbridled capitalism, driven by globalization, is the fear of the poor".

According to her, "In many western countries, discrimination has been generated by fears of uncontrolled migration and, post-9/11, aggravated by counter-terrorism strategies targeting Arabs, Asians and Muslims…. In Russia hate crimes against foreigners and minorities are common…. Increasing polarization has strengthened the hands of extremists at both ends of the spectrum, reducing the space for tolerance and dissent…. Freedom of expression and dissent continue to be suppressed in a variety of ways, from the prosecution of writers, journalists and human rights defenders in Turkey, to political killings of left-wing activists in the Philippines. In the US prison camp at Guantánamo Bay, the only form of protest arguably left to detainees is hunger strike".

"The authoritarian drift in Russia has been devastating for journalists and human rights defenders. Having intimidated or taken over much of the Russian press, President Vladimir Putin turned his attention to Russian and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 2006…. Unfortunately, Russia is not the only country seeking to silence independent voices on human rights. From Colombia to Cambodia, Cuba to Uzbekistan, governments have introduced laws to restrict human rights organizations and the work of activists, branding them disloyal or subversive".

"In the sphere of terrorism and counter-terrorism that fear’s most harmful manifestations flourish…. Japan introduced a law in 2006 to fast-track deportation of anyone deemed by the Minister of Justice to be a “possible terrorist”. People’s fate will no longer be determined on the basis of what they have done but on the omniscient ability of governments to predict what they might do! Unfettered discretionary executive power is being pursued relentlessly by the US administration, which treats the world as one big battlefield for its “war on terror”…. In September 2006, President Bush finally admitted what Amnesty International has long known – that the CIA had been running secret detention centres in circumstances that amount to international crimes…. Thankfully, there appears to be a growing realization in many countries that security at all costs is a dangerous and damaging strategy…. A clear momentum has been created in favour of transparency, accountability and an end to impunity…. People power will change the face of human rights in the 21st century. Hope is very much alive".

It is said in the part of the report about Kyrgyzstan that in 2006, "Five Uzbekistani men were forcibly returned to Uzbekistan. The Uzbekistani security forces continued to pursue refugees and asylum-seekers in Kyrgyzstan…. Demonstrators protested at corruption and accused the state of collusion with organized crime". Tensions broke out "between parliament and government over constitutional reform…. The new Constitution abolished the death penalty", however, "there were no investigations into the circumstances surrounding killings by the security forces during counter-terrorism operations", when "five people were killed during a July counterterrorism operation in Jalal-Abad by the security police…. Independent Kyrgyz imam Muhammadrafik Kamalov from Kara-Suu was shot and killed by security forces in August. Killed with him were two suspected IMU members accused of an armed raid on the border with Tajikistan in May in which at least a dozen security officers and armed men died. In October three men were sentenced to death for their part in the raid. The SNB initially accused imam Kamalov of being an IMU member, and then suggested that he could have been used as a human shield".

"Gulmira Maksudova was arrested in July and charged with terrorism and counterfeiting documents. She is a daughter of Akram Yuldashev, the alleged leader of the Akramia opposition group imprisoned since 1998, who has been accused of masterminding the Andijan events from prison. In September, Osh regional court acquitted her", however, "Kyrgyz officials had failed to respond to inquiries about the enforced disappearance of at least five named Uzbekistani refugees". There were several reports that detainees were beaten up in the pre-trial facilities, but "no officers responsible for torture or other ill-treatment were brought to justice…. In January a pregnant witness in a theft case was reportedly hit and threatened and called a prostitute while being questioned by a Department of Internal Affairs officer…. She complained to the regional prosecutor’s office, but no action was taken", but when human rights activists publicized her allegations, a criminal suit for defamation against them was filed. "In June, Internal Affairs officers reportedly beat a woman arrested at her home in Bazar-Kurgan. Detained twice before, in 2003 and 2005, she had previously alleged torture, including repeated rape, in custody". AI

8. PARLIAMENTARIANS TRY CLOSING THE US AIRBASE IN KYRGYZSTAN. The parliamentary committee for defense and security together with the four other committees - on international affairs, on law and order, on emergency situations and on legislation - organized in Bishkek a hearing on the two issues: on implementation of the parliamentary decision on the tragic incident at the US airbase Manas, where a Kyrgyz citizen was killed on 6 December 2006; and on advisability of keeping the US base on the Kyrgyz territory. The meeting recommended the parliament to consider possibility of denouncing the US-Kyrgyz agreement on the base signed on 14 December 2001 and to make a request to the Congress and the administration of the US to decide soon on withdrawal of the military contingent from Kyrgyzstan based on the declaration of the heads of state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization from 5 July 2005.

Chairman of the Committee on Legislation Iskhak Masaliyev said he is for withdrawal of the base. State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Taalaibek Kydyrov said a special commission was set up according to a decision by the president and it is considering amendments to the agreement. Vice Prime Minister Dosbol Nur uulu said, the government would consider recommendations of the commission at its closed meeting. Masaliyev suggested not bargaining with the Americans - if they suggest increasing lease payment, it would be subornation. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev told journalists in Bishkek on 24 May, the agreement on the base is "artful" enough; it is hard to denounce it. Kadyrov said it is in interests of Kyrgyzstan to keep the base.

US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Marie Yovanovitch said in Bishkek before the parliamentary hearing she welcomes any open discussions on the issue. Tom Casey, Deputy Spokesman for the US Department of State said at a Daily Press Briefing in Washington on 23 May that in Kyrgyzstan "where we only have a fairly recent history of military cooperation…. I'm sure that if there are any concerns that the Kyrgyz Government has that they'll be issues that will be raised with U.S. military and diplomatic officials, I'm sure we'll be able to come to a successful conclusion". Russian RIA Novosti reported on 23 May, "The Kyrgyz government reaffirmed its commitment to allow the U.S. to maintain its base at Manas airport". According to it, "The presence of a U.S. airbase in Kyrgyzstan meets the national interests of the republic," a spokesman for the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said after a closed government meeting. Kabar, 24,kg, US State Department, RIA Novosti, AKIpress, Reuters

25 May, Friday:

9. MOSCOW IS PRODDING TO ANTI AMERICAN CAMPAIGN IN KYRGYZSTAN. Russian "Kommersant" reported on 25 May, "Moscow is prodding the Kyrgyz president forward in a broad campaign to drive the American military presence from the base at Manas. In exchange, Russia is offering its support to the embattled president on the domestic political front. Pressure from Russia has apparently convinced the Kyrgyz president to announce his intention to shut down the base in the very near future, most likely on the pretext of the SOC summit in Bishkek in August. China is also adding its voice to the fray: Beijing has said that it is even ready to commit funds to the organization of the summit if Kurmanbek Bakiyev firmly demands that Washington evacuate its base. Nevertheless, President Bakiyev is in no hurry to take all of the responsibility for the decision on himself – hence his appeal to the legislature. All he has to do now is explain to the Americans that he is only responding to the demands of the people's elected representatives. The first potshot at the American base was taken by Kyrgyz Parliament speaker Marat Sultanov, who just returned last week from a visit to Moscow…. In the final statement to come out of the meeting, however, there was no trace of concerns about the environment or the safety of Iran. The deputies' decision was couched entirely in a geopolitical context: 'Pursuant to the declaration of the heads of state of the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization from July 5, 2005, Parliament must make a request to the Congress and government of the United States concerning the immediate withdrawal of the military contingent from the territory of Kyrgyzstan'."

Leader of the Civil Platform non-governmental organization Alisher Mamasaliyev stated in Bishkek on 25 May, "The start of the information campaign to form a negative image of the US air base [in Kyrgyzstan] is a preparation of Moscow's response to deployment of US anti-missile system elements in Czechia and Poland", and the issue of withdrawal of the base from Kyrgyzstan could be discussed at the forthcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to be held in Bishkek on 16 August. According to Mamasaliyev, "the Chinese partners hope also not without grounds that the Bishkek summit can become beginning of the end of the West's democratic expansion in Central Asia", and "the local politicians, pseudo-patriots speaking for immediate withdrawal of the US air base, are nothing more than an instrument in settling geopolitical problems of the two superpowers".

Russian RIA Novosti reported on 23 May, "The Kremlin has applied considerable pressure on Kyrgyzstan to demand that the U.S. withdraw its base after the completion of its mission in Afghanistan". Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Legislation Iskhak Masaliyev said the same day Russia is not involved in organizing a protest movement against the US airbase. Deputy of Parliament Taiyrbek Sarpashev said on 24 May some forces behind the scene foment the anti American moods in Kyrgyzstan. Former Secretary of the Security Council Miroslav Niyazov said the same day Kyrgyzstan needs the base, and if somebody does not understand it, he does not see reality. Kommersant, Regnum, АКИpress, 24.kg, RIA Novosti, Kabar, BPC

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 20 - 26 MAY 2007:

10. On 19 May, the Journalists non-governmental union released in Bishkek the first edition of the new newspaper for journalists and media outlets "Journalist News". AKIpress

11. On 20-22 May, about 100-200 residents of the Jeti-Oguz District of the Issyk-Kul Province blocked again the road to the Kumtor gold mine. It was opened on 22 May after Councilor to the President Usen Sydykov, Governor of the Province Kydykbek Isayev and head of the district administration Zamirbek Turdukeev arrived on the site. 24.kg

12. On 21 May, Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov told journalists in Bishkek Kyrgyzstan will close a U.S. military base on its territory if the United States uses it for purposes other than to support the antiterrorism campaign in Afghanistan, "We allowed to use it only for work in Afghanistan… If we have any suspicions that thr base is intended for other purposes, we will immediately consider closing the airbase". Arkady Dubnov wrote in Moscow-based "Vremya Novostei" on 22 May Bishkek begins an information campaign aiming the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit to be held in Bishkek in August and the base issue could again be in the center of discussions. RIA Novosti, VN

13. On 21 May, the Russian weekly "Kommersant-Vlast" wrote about the all 25 Russian military bases abroad. There are in Kyrgyzstan the 999th air base in Kant, the 338th Signal Office Centre in Kara-Balta, the 954th testing ground on the Lake Issyk-Kul, the Automatic Seismic Station in Ichke-Suu (also the Issyk-Kul Province), and the Radio-Seismic Laboratory 17 in Mailuu-Suu. Kommersant-Vlast

14. On 21 May, Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov said about the Kyrgyz-Russian relations that one million Kyrgyz labor migrants in Russia are the base for cooperation between the two states. He also said the Kyrgyz citizens who want receive a dual citizenship should first abandon the Kyrgyz citizenship, to receive a Russian citizenship and then to receive a Kyrgyz citizenship again, because the Russian legislation prohibits Russian citizenship for foreigners but does not it for Russian citizens. Kabar, AKIpress

15. On 21 May, Minister of Culture and Information Sultan Rayev decorated Jusup Mamai, a Manas epos narrator in China, in the city of Urumqi with Kyrgyz Order of Manas. Mamai, an ethnic Kyrgyz, celebrates his 90th anniversary this year, he edited the 20-volume Manas epos in China, which was included in the list of National Spiritual Values of the country. Kabar

16. On 21 May, the film Boz Salkyn by Kyrgyz Director Ernest Abdyjaparov was shown in Cannes in frame of the unofficial program of the film festival Cinema of the South. 24.kg

17. On 22 May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated any use of the Manas air base near Bishkek in any operation other than in frame of the Endouring Freedom operation would be considered as a breach of the Kyrgyz-US agreement by Bishkek. Kabar

18. On 22 May, the government took a decision to use force against protesters who block roads near the gold mines, which leads to public disturbances, and to bring their organizers to justice. 24.kg, Reuters

19. On 22 May, the government announced it allows development of the Jerooy gold deposit in the Talas Province while development of the Andash copper-gold mine would be stopped until a proper ecological expertise. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev visited the province on 25 May meeting local people, some residents blocked the road, being against the decision on Jerooy, and police dispersed the crowd by force. Kabar, 24.kg

20. On 22 May, Daniel Sershen reported on the site Eurasianet, "So far, evidence of a policy shift against US and Western interests in Kyrgyzstan is circumstantial. Observers say that may change in August, when the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) holds its annual summit in Bishkek". Eurasianet

21. On 22 May, Moscow-based "Vremya Novostei" reported the Russian Central Bank informed its subsidiaries to be cautious with Amanbak of Kyrgyzstan. According to the paper, Amanbank is controlled by people close to Maksim Bakiyev, the son of the Kyrgyz president. VN

22. On 23 May, Deputy Minister of Finance Kanat Asankulov said at a parliamentary hearing in Bishkek that $150 million received by Bishkek from Washington, was not the lease payment for the airbase but the US support approved by the Congress. According to him, the lease payment was 384 million soms (about $10 million) total in 2002-2006, however, the Manas Airport, which is a private entity, received for lease 2,000 million soms. 24.kg

23. On 23 May, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote "Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have decided to set up a water and energy consortium on their own, but this will not help resolve regional water and energy disputes unless the other Central Asian states are brought on board". IWPR

24. On 23 May, Minister of Finance Akylbek Japarov said at a seminar in Bishkek with leaders of local governments that according to the new Strategic Plan of Development, the gross domestic product per capita in Kyrgyzstan would reach $870 by 2010, or the growth would be 60 percent compared to 2006. Kabar

25. On 23 May, the Bishkek City Court suspended the government decree of 4 May on nationalization of the Kristall polycrystalline plant in Tash-Komur. The Inter-District Court of Bishkek ruled on 25 April to arrest the property of the plant in favor of a Kazakh company and the Kyrgyz government decided after it to nationalize it and worked out a special law draft on it presenting it to the Kyrgyz parliament. 24.kg, AKIpress

26. On 23 May, US Ambassador to Afghanistan Ronald Neumann told Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev in Bishkek that support from Kyrgyzstan is an important part of the military counter terrorism operation in Afghanistan and the Manas airbase near Bishkek is closed, it would give reason for growth of radicalism and drug business in the region as well as the close cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the US could be lowed. Kabar, AKIpress, 24.kg

27. On 23 May, the Executive committee of the International Monetary Fund completed the fourth review of Kyrgyzstan's economic performance under the three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement. The completion of the review enables the release of an amount equivalent to $1.9 million. IMF, Kabar, AKIpress, 24.kg

28. On 23 May, department head if the Russian Federal Drug Control Service Aleksandr Mikhailov said UN experts expect 18 percent of heroin produced in Afghanistan in 2007 would go Russia via Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The production is expected to reach 610 tons total. Kabar

29. On 23 May, Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir uulu told journalists in Bishkek that about 30,000 Kyrgyz citizens received Russian citizenship since January, it is bout 0.6 percent of the population of Kyrgyzstan. 24.kg

30. On 23 May, Ermek Asanov wrote in the "Oasis" Internet Magazine that people of the Customs Inspection are able buying a Jeep or constructing a small villa in a couple on months have a salary of about $100-$150 a month. Oasis

31. On 23 May, the first independent radio station in the Talas Province, NEXT, began broadcasting around the clock in Kyrgyz and Russian. Kabar

32. On 24 May, Erica Marat wrote on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor, "During the past few weeks discussions criticizing the U.S. military presence have intensified in Kyrgyzstan. The country’s political establishment has used every possible reason to question the rationale for the U.S. base - from the ecological damage the base could potentially bring to the possible use of the base in a U.S. war against Iran…. When the U.S. base was first introduced in Kyrgyzstan in late 2001, citizens and the government saw it as a form of external protection from the possible spread of Islamic extremism and terrorism. However, the political image of the U.S. base in Kyrgyzstan considerably worsened after the U.S. attacked Iraq and Russia stationed its own military base in Kant in 2003". EDM

33. On 24 May, the State Agency for Ecology stated the US airbase Manas must pay the Kyrgyz government 20.64 million soms ($530,000) for ecological damage - the planes of the base discharged the fuel in the air 12 times since 2003. Kabar

34. On 24 May, German Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Klaus Grewlich handed Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev the documents on setting up in Bishkek the Water Energy Academy with support from the European Union. Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress

35. On 24 May, Bakyt Beshimov said at a meeting of the Bishkek Liberal Club there are more and more politicians in Kyrgyzstan and it is good - quantity would turn into quality. However, according to Beshimov, the opposition should not share ideas with the authorities, they should realize them after getting power. Ishenbai Abdurazakov, Muratbek Imanaliyev, Roza Otunbayeva, Omurbek Tekebayev, Temir Sariyev, Asiya Sasykbayeva, Cholpon Jakupova, Edil Baisalov, Tursunbai Bakir uulu, Alikbek Jekshenkulov, Roza Aknazarova and others took part in the discussion devoted to political opponing in Kyrgyzstan. 24.kg, AKIpress, BPC

36. On 24 May, Minister of Finance Akylbek Japarov said in an interview with the newspaper "De Facto" a justice should be restored in the issue around the Kumtor gold mine and the Kyrgyz officials responsible for the agreement of 2003 must be brought to justice. AKIpress

37. On 24 May, the project to prevent violence of the For Tolerance International foundation reported there could be conflicts in the southern regions of the country in the future because Tajik and Uzbek citizens are being resettled on the Kyrgyz territory and buy both houses and land plots. Tazar

38. On 24 May, the film festival Cinema Art Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Youth Approach ended in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Kyrgyz Director Nurdin Karagulov received the first prize for his film Love Affair of a Hunchback among the short films. AKIpress

39. On 25 May, Valentin Bogatyrev, coordinator of Perspektiva Analytical Consortium, wrote on the site of the Institute for Public Policy that in Kyrgyzstan, "none of currently active political parties is ready for independent alternative, really opposition activities. It is clear why it is so. The majority of parties are leftist. Any leftist parties are strong in criticizing and denying but not in creating. They can only divide and take away. There is no rightist party in the country and there are very few right-leaning individuals". IPP

40. On 25 May, Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club it is a moral choice to be an opposition person in Kyrgyzstan, it is not a struggle for power. NPC

41. On 25 May, secretaries of Security Councils of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization discussed in Bishkek measures to secure security at the organization summit to be held in Bishkek on 16 August 2007 and at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. Kabar, Itar-Tass

42. On 25 May, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev signed a decree on opening a special account in the National Bank to collect contributions of citizens who want helping to reduce the state foreign debt. It was $1,979.33 million by 1 March 2007. Kabar, Kommersant

43. On 25 eldest member of parliament Dooronbek Sadyrbayev stated he was tested by polygraph and if the results would be correct, he would prepare a law draft on testing of candidates to parliament or ministerial posts. He said he answered the two questions incorrectly especially. 24.kg

44. On 25 May, the second Bishkek International Tourism Fair opened in Bishkek, it will last till 29 May. The yearly tourism fair Issyk-Kul-2007 is held in Cholpon-Ata on 26-27 May. 24.kg, Kabar

45. Appointments and dismissals: on 22 May, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev granted ranks of generals to Bakytbek Kalyiev and Abibilla Kudaibergenov. On 23 May, Bakiyev appointed Iskander Gaipkulov chairman of the Chamber of Accounts instead of Nadyrbek Turganbayev and appointed the latter director of the Agency for Intellectual Property instead of Roman Omorov. The parliament approved the appointment of Gaipkulov on 25 May. On 24 May, the president appointed Amangeldi Kenjetayev head of the administration of the Pervomai District of Bishkek. On 25 May, the parliament approved appointments of Nizamidin Azimjanov and Abdykapar Usenov judges of the Supreme Court and Chinara Kurbanova as a judge of the Constitutional court. Also on 25 May, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev appointed Akinbek Tekeshev deputy minister of culture and information. Kabar

Naryn AIYP.

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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 13-19 May 2007

2007-05-20T12:13:49Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 13 - 19 MAY 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. Chapters of the great story of our time is written in Kyrgyzstan too.
2. Turmoil on the Jerooy gold mine.
3. Court cancels a decision by the CEC on the Kemin constituency.
4. Program of strategic development of Kyrgyzstan is put into effect.
5. Kazakhstan urges Kyrgyzstan to unite, Kyrgyzstan turns to Tajikistan.
6. Civil society demands transparency in activity of the mining companies.
7. Premier accuses former prosecutor general.
8. US ambassador is reminded at the Foreign Ministry.
9. Also in the week of 13 - 19 May 2007…

13 May, Sunday:

1. CHAPTERS OF THE GREAT STORY OF OUR TIME IS WRITTEN IN KYRGYZSTAN TOO. US President George Bush said in Jamestown at a meeting to mark the 400th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in America that the United States must continue to stand by countries struggling for freedom, "As we celebrate the 400th anniversary of Jamestown to honor the beginnings of our democracy, it is a chance to renew our commitment to help others around the world realize the great blessings of liberty…. Today democratic institutions are taking root in places where liberty was unimaginable not long ago. At the start of the 1980s, there were only 45 democracies on Earth. There are now more than 120 democracies, and more people now live in freedom than ever before. America is proud to promote the expansion of democracy, and we must continue to stand with all those struggling to claim their freedom. The advance of freedom is the great story of our time, and new chapters are being written every day, from Georgia and Ukraine, to Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon, to Afghanistan and Iraq. From our own history, we know the path to democracy is long, and it's hard. There are many challenges, and there are setbacks along the way. Yet we can have confidence in the outcome, because we've seen freedom's power to transform societies before…. Liberty is the path to lasting peace, and that democracies are natural allies for the United States". White House, Reuters

14 May, Monday:

2. TURMOIL ON THE JEROOY GOLD MINE. Hundreds of residents of the Talas Province blocked the road to the Jerooy gold mine in the province on 14-16 May demanding to resolve their social problems and being anger that Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev did not arrive as promised. He was in province on 14 April and said an ecological expertise of the gold project would be ready and a decision whether to continue the project would be taken in a month. The protesters stormed the mine twice in three days and took some property and stopped their actions only after governor of the province Baiymbek Murataliyev and chairman of the presidential commission on human rights Tursunbek Akun arrived and promised Atambayev would come in a several days. However, some equipment was removed from the site to prove that the gold developing is stopped. Some supporters of the company also blocked the road demanding to continue work.

Leader of the non-governmental organization Generations Equality Taalai Arsygulov said on 15 May his organization wants monitoring ecological security of the gold projects in the province. Head of the presidential administration Medet Sadyrkulov held a meeting with human rights activists in Bishkek on 15 May discussing the issue of blocking roads in the country. Leaders of the JerooyAltyn company said on 17 May in Bishkek somebody from outside could be behind the protest actions, however, they said the government too could be a defendant to their legal action. The Interior Ministry began on 18 May investigations against some participants of the protests. RIA Novosti, 24.kg, AKIpress, Kabar, BPC

15 May, Tuesday:

3. COURT CANCELS A DECISION BY THE CEC ON THE KEMIN CONSTITUENCY. The Pervomai District Court of Bishkek complied with a suit by candidate to parliament Eric Arsaliyev on 15 May and cancelled a decision by the Central Election Commission (CEC), which found on 1 May the results of the by-election in the Kemin constituency held on 29 April, illegal. The court ruled re-election should be held in six districts of the constituency only, the CEC did not argue and set a date of the re-election - 27 May.

On 29 April, more people voted against all the candidates than for a candidate who collected the most of votes (Arsaliyev) and the CEC disbanded the District Electoral Commission on 1 May. However, the candidates said people of Bermet Akayeva, a candidate who was barred from the election on 24 April, made forgery and they adopted on 2 May a special statement condemning "the anti-constitutional behavior" of Akayeva. AKIpress, DW, Kabar, AKIpress, 24.kg, Regnum

16 May, Wednesday:

4. PROGRAM OF STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT OF KYRGYZSTAN IS PUT INTO EFFECT. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed on 16 May a special decree approving the program of strategic development of Kyrgyzstan for 2007-2010, prepared by the National Council for Strategic Development. Department head in the presidential administration Azamat Dikambayev told journalists in Bishkek on 18 May the strategy envisages annual economic growth of 8-9 percent and a salary rate would also be doubled (growing 15 percent yearly), the growth of GDP per capita would increase by 60 percent and the poverty rate would fall by about 50 percent. According to Dikambayev, Kyrgyzstan would be able repaying its foreign debt without externals help if a yearly economic growth is 6-7 percent and the income part of the state budget would increase by 10 percent yearly. Presentation of the program would be held at a forum in Bishkek on 31 May. Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress, BPC

17 May, Thursday:

5. KAZAKHSTAN URGES KYRGYZSTAN TO UNITE, KYRGYZSTAN TURNS TO TAJIKISTAN. On 16-17 May, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ednan Karabayev visited Dushanbe where he discussed with Tajik President Emonali Rahmon an issue of forming the Central Asian Water Energetic Consortium. They also agreed setting up the inter-state council and the council of foreign ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. However, Kyrgyzstan forms now similar councils with Kazakhstan too. Karabayev met also the Tajik minister of transport and foreign minister discussing aspects of Rahmon's visit to Kyrgyzstan set for the summer.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev offered during his visit to Bishkek on 26 April to set up a new Central Asian union and Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev supported fully the idea. The two presidents also took a decision to form the Supreme Inter-State Council and the Council of Foreign Ministers of the two countries at the meeting and some observers considered it as an expansion of Kazakhstan, saying it could absorb tiny Kyrgyzstan. According to Professor Zainidin Kurmanov, situation in Central Asia differ from the European Union, where small Luxembourg has the same rights as Germany.

"The Economist" reported on 17 May, "The Kyrgyz, who have stumbled from crisis to crisis since their 'tulip revolution' in 2005, have been the first to taste Kazakhstan's claims to leadership. During his visit to Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, at the end of April, the authoritarian Mr Nazarbayev humiliated his counterpart, Kurmanbek Bakiev, by publicly lecturing him about Kyrgyzstan's shortcomings and telling him to follow the Kazakh model: economic reforms before political ones. President Bakiyev was in no position to disagree. Kazakhstan, whose income per person of $3,800 is eight times Kyrgyzstan's, is the country's largest foreign investor. Many successful Kazakh entrepreneurs already think of Kyrgyzstan as pretty much a province of Kazakhstan, anyway. So better bilateral relations are welcome, but a union would be another matter". Kabar, AKIpress, 24.kg, NG, Gazeta.kz, Economist

6. CIVIL SOCIETY DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY IN ACTIVITY OF THE MINING COMPANIES. The new union, Civic Consortium, which unites several non-governmental organizations, appealed to the country leadership on 17 May asking to release data of financial contributions by the mining companies to the state budget. According to them, new negotiations on the Kumtor gold projects are held behind closed doors, foreign investors of the Jerooy project were changed without a tender, developing of the Andash deposit began without independent ecological expertise. The authors also say Kyrgyzstan joined the international Extractive Industries Transparency Intiative (EITI) in 2004; so, the government has to release the data. AKIpress, BPC

7. PREMIER ACCUSES FORMER PROSECUTOR GENERAL. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on industry on 17 May the Mailuu-Suu Electric Bulb Plant, which is now on the edge of bankruptcy, could be taken into government hands if former Prosecutor General Kambaraly Kongantiyev was not against it. According to Atambayev, due to the Kongantiyev's resistance, a parliamentary commission could not work at the plant, and its annual profit was $3 million before it was sold for the same price, $3 million. Deputy Arzybek Burkanov said at the meeting the tender to sell the plant in 2003 was not fair and a company of Russian businessman Viktor Stolpovskikh, which bought it, made not the best offer. The Russian company, representative of which in Kyrgyzstan was a daughter of Kongantiyev, received the plant's dividends of $2 million and then it took a bank loan of $9 million, however, all the money "went to Moscow". 24.kg

18 May, Friday:

8. US AMBASSADOR IS REMINDED AT THE FOREIGN MINISTRY. US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Marie Yovanovitch was invited to the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry on 18 May and State Secretary of the Ministry Taalaibek Kydyrov reminded her the investigation into the killing of Kyrgyz citizen Aleksandr Ivanov at the US air base Manas on 6 December 2006 should be completed as soon as possible as well as a fair compensation to be paid to his family. Kydyrov also said the US side should speed up consideration of a legal action by the Kyrgyz Transport and Communication Ministry on the incident at the Manas airport on 26 September 2006, when a US and a Kyrgyz planes clashed.

Erica Marat wrote on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor on 17 May about the Ivanov case, "This is not the first case of foreign representatives killing Kyrgyz citizens. Previously Russian official representatives were implicated in fatal accidents on Kyrgyz territory; however, neither victims’ relatives nor the government made any visible attempts to investigate these cases. Furthermore, Kyrgyz citizens’ rights are abused regularly in Russia and Kazakhstan, where hundreds of thousands of Kyrgyz labor migrants work illegally. Finally, Kyrgyz citizens’ rights are constantly abused in border areas in the Ferghana Valley by Tajik, Uzbek, and fellow Kyrgyz border guards. Compared to Ivanov’s case, Kyrgyz civil society groups are much more ignorant about their fellow citizens’ rights residing abroad". However, "local civil society groups continue to loudly call for evaluating the [Ivanov] incident within the broader framework of Kyrgyz-U.S. military cooperation". Kabar, AKIpress, EDM

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 13 - 19 MAY 2007:

9. On 13 May, a run-off in by-election to parliament was held in the Otuz-Adyr constituency of the southern Osh Province. Osmonali Attokurov won with 50.8 percent of votes defeating Ravshanbek Sabirov who collected 48.8 percent. However, the Central Election Commission has not yet approved the results. Head of the election team of Attokurov, Amat Esenov, was found severely beaten in the Jan-Aryk village in the morning of 15 May and died in hospital later the same day. Police detained Muzafar Husanbayev the same day. Kabar, AKIpress

10. On 13 May, the 20th Asian Championship on wrestling ended in Bishkek. Kyrgyz wrestlers earned four gold and four bronze medals, the Kyrgyz teams were the second in Greco-Roman wrestling, the seventh in free stile wrestling. Kabar, AKIpress

11. On 14 May, the Institute for Public Policy held in Bishkek a round table on the constitutional reform, participants of which agreed, "At present the Constitution in Kyrgyzstan does not serve to determine the general rules of the game; conversely, it generates conflicts among the main political actors". The same time, "Experts are involved and they do contribute, but the final decision is made by politicians, who destroy the integral scheme of amendments trying to strike compromise with each other". IPP

12. On 14 May, head of Russian Gazprom Aleksey Miller and Kyrgyz Minister of Industry, Energy and Fuel Resources Igor Chudinov signed in Moscow an agreement on prospecting in Kyrgyzstan. Regnum, Itar-Tass

13. On 14 May, Kyrgyz Minister of Education and Science Kanybek Osmonaliyev was elected in Bishkek at a meeting of the Council on mutual recognition of education and academic certificates under the Integration Committee of the Eurasian Economic Community as a chairman of the committee for two years. The participants signed also a special agreement on common educational principles. Kabar

On 14 May, Deputy of Parliament Melis Eshimkanov announced he would sell his newspaper "Agym" because the paper is persecuted deadly due to his political activity. AKIpress

14. On 15 May, a trial should have begun in the Naryn town against the two policemen, who are accused of torture led to death. After their interrogation on 20 November 2006 of Akylbek Sakeev, who was arrested of being accused of abaction, the latter fell in coma and died in two days. The criminal case was stopped last January but renewed again on 12 February after protests of human rights defenders. On 15 May, the trial was postponed due to one of the defendants did not appear in the court. AKIpress

15. On 15 May, Deputy of Parliament Rashid Tagayev stated the foreign sponsors of non-governmental organizations aim keeping Kyrgyzstan in permanent strain and they teach the NGOs how to fight against the legal authorities. Kabar

16. On 15 May, Lawyer Galina Skripkina said Commander of the US air base Manas Col. Joel Reese invited Marina Ivanova, widow of Aleksandr Ivanov killed at Manas on 6 December 2006 by an American airman, but did not appear himself and Ivanova and Skripkina talked with Col. Westall at the entrance of the base and he did not say anything new on the investigation. 24.kg

17. On 15 May, Chairman of the National Bank Marat Alapayev informed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev that a law draft on the Islamic banking procedures is ready and the Ecobank is already using them. Secretary of the Security Council Tokon Mamytov is also involved in the application process. Kabar. AKIpress

18. On 15 May, "Screen Africa" reported The Hubert Bals Fund of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) grants a total of 435,500 Euro to 33 film projects and initiatives from 23 developing countries, including Adep Akhlak, an absurdist comedy by Kyrgyz filmmaker Marat Alykulov as a low budget digital feature. Screen Africa

19. On 15 May, Vice Prime Minister Dosbol Nur uulu said a conference in Bishkek on education issues that the country schools need about 3,500 teachers. Kabar

20. On 15-16 May, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Isakov visited Kyrgyzstan, he was at the Russian air base Kant near Bishkek on 15 May and then had meetings with Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev and Defense Minister Ismail Isakov on 16 May discussing issues of bilateral relations and aspects of a visit of Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov to Bishkek in July. Minister Isakov said Russia would give Kyrgyzstan equipment worth $27 million in 2007 and the Kyrgyz side offered providing the Russian army with agricultural products. Kabar, 24.kg, RIA Novosti

21. On 16 May, former parliamentary speaker Abdygany Erkebayev said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club there is a third side in the Kyrgyz society besides the authorities and the opposition. According to him, it is a group of influential people including himself who are not involved yet in the current events but could do it to conciliate the sides and they are able to prepare a constitution acceptable for everybody. 24.kg

22. On 16 May, a working meeting of representatives of the Kyrgyz government and Centerra Gold Inc., which develops the Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan was held in Bishkek. The issue is to raise income of the Kyrgyz side from the project. AKIpress, BPC

23. On 16 May, Erica Marat wrote on the site of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute of the Johns Hopkins University about the issue of nationalizing the Kumtor gold project, "Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and members of his government are criticized for their wish to obtain a new source of large-scale corruption under the pretext of nationalization". CACI

24. On 16 May, Chairwoman of the Bishkek Council Nurjamal Baibolova said somebody entered her office illegally on 2 May while she was out of the city and an aim of the action could be either to search the office or installing bagging devices. Head of the Bishkek City Security Department Oi-Talbek Osmonov responded the same day saying his office had nothing to do with the incident. 24.kg, AKIpress

25. On 16 May, the US Department of Commerce and the International Business Council of Kyrgyzstan organized a business forum in Bishkek. US Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch said at it an issue of nationalizing some enterprises in the country must be resolved through negotiations only. Turkish Ambassador Serpil Alpman urged the foreign investors to help Kyrgyzstan forming a liberal climate for foreign business in the country, because political issues influence to it too much. Kazakh Ambassador Umarzak Uzbekov said the Kazakh business in Kyrgyzstan could be in danger if the situation is not changed. 24.kg

26. On 16 May, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev walked along the central streets of Bishkek and after seeing that houses were constructed in the parks and the streets and boulevards were dirty, sacked the head of a district administration of the city and rebuked Bishkek Mayor Arstanbek Nogoyev. RIA Novosti, Kabar, 24.kg

27. On 16 May, Director of the Institute for Cattle Breeding and Veterinary Rysbek Nurgaziyev said at a conference in Bishkek that Kyrgyzstan has about 9.4 million hectares of pastures and is able to breed up to 250,000 yaks, however, there are 20,000 yaks only in the country. Kabar

28. On 16-17 May, Deputy Foreign Minister Kadyrbek Sarbayev took part in Pakistan in the 34th ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference. He also opened the first Kyrgyz embassy if Islamabad on 17 May. Kyrgyz Ambassador Nurlan Aitmurzayev handed his credentials to President Pervez Musharraf on 15 November 2006. Kabar, AKIpress

29. On 16-17 May, Kyrgyz Ambassador to Russia Apas Jumagulov and representatives of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry discussed in Moscow with Leonid Kamynin, head of the information department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, an issue of forming a positive image of Kyrgyzstan in Russian media. Kabar

30. On 16-18 May, a parliamentary delegation of Pakistan visited Kyrgyzstan. They met with Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev on 17 May discussing an issue of possible membership of Pakistan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and export of electricity from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan. At a meeting with State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov the same day, an issue of Pakistan investment into the Kyrgyz economy was discussed. Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress

31. On 17 May, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote that "a School of Democracy, affiliated with the United Front for a Worthy Future for Kyrgyzstan led by former prime minister Felix Kulov, opened in early May in Baytik, a suburb of the capital Bishkek, in the beginning of May". NBCA IWPR

32. On 17 May, the Board of the Supreme Court cancelled rulings of the local courts and sent the criminal case on murder of Deputy of Parliament Bayaman Erkinbayev for re-investigation. Erkinbayev was shot to dead in front of his house in Bishkek on 21 September 2005. The Sverdlov District Court of Bishkek sentenced Mahmutjan Ruzimetov and Sabyrkul Batyrov to death on 14 July 2006, the city court changed the sentence of Ruzimetov to 17 years of imprisonment later in December 2006. AKIpress

33. On 17 May, First Deputy Chairman of the National Holding Company UzbekNefteGas Shavkat Majitov told journalists in Tashkent the company would provide Kyrgyzstan with 750 million cubic meters of natural gas in 2007. Uzreport

34. On 17 May, the parliamentary committee for industry, construction and architecture approved a law draft on setting up the Development Fund of Kyrgyzstan, which should accumulate about $360 million for national projects. 24.kg

On 17 May, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said at a meeting of the parliamentary committee for industry that the government supports an initiative of leasing neighboring Kazakhstan four holiday houses on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul for 49 years. The houses were built at expenses of Kazakhstan in the Soviet times. 24.kg

35. On 17 May, State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov received in Bishkek Michele DuBach, RFE/RL Director of Broadcasting, discussing aspects of bilateral cooperation. The same day, DuBach had a meeting with journalists of the National TV and Radio Corporation and then met with Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev on 18 May. Kabar, AKIpress

36. On 17 May, "San Jose Mercury", California, reported about the recent Internet censorship survey conducted by the OpenNet Initiative, in 41 countries. Evidence of filtering was found, among other dtates, in Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. The two other countries of the CIS - Belarus and Kazakhstan - are suspected of filtering, and no evidence was found in Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Ukraine. MCT

On 17 May, the representative of USAID in Kyrgyzstan told journalists in Bishkek the US allocated about $350 million to Kyrgyzstan as help since 1992. 24.kg

37. On 17 May, National Guard Commander of the Montana State General Randall Mosley and First Deputy Defense Minister of Kyrgyzstan Boris Yugai agreed in Bishkek on bilateral cooperation. Mosley was also decorated with the Mykty Medal of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs the same day. 24.kg

38. On 17 May, a book entitled Chuikov and His Time by Gamal Bogonbayev about prominent Kyrgyz Artist Semyon Chuikov was presented at the National Arts Museum in Bishkek. The same day, an exhibition "The Water Is a Life Source" by Artist Sabitjan Babajanov opened at the museum. Kabar

39. On 17-19 May, the Kyrgyz parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Marat Sultanov visited Moscow. They had meetings with Speaker of the Russian State Duma Boris Gryzlov, Chairman of the Duma Committee for CIS Affairs Andrei Kokoshin, Vice Prime Minister Sergei Naryshkin, Agriculture Minister Aleksey Gordeev and other officials. Gryzlov and Sultanov signed on 17 May an agreement on cooperation between parliaments of the two states, however, Sultanov did not address the Duma as was planned. Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress

40. On 18 May, former Secretary of the Security Council Miroslav Niyazov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that there is no system of national security in Kyrgyzstan at all, "frankly to say". BPC

41. On 18 May, Canada-based International Freedom of Expression eXchange expressed its concern about Kyrgyz citizens Nargiza Turdiyeva, journalist Abdumalik Sharipov, and two human rights activists Valentina Gritsenko and Mahamadjan Abdushaparov, who reported about beating of Nargiza Turdiyeva by the police officer in 2006 and now, the four face new criminal trial on 22 May on defamation charges. In addition to the criminal charges, investigator Ali Mageyev is seeking compensation for material and moral damages, $4,160 and $26,525 respectively. IFEX

On 18 May, the Executive Committee of the International Monetary Fund discussed in Washington the state of implementing its programs in Kyrgyzstan and aspects of its activity in the country in the future. Kabar

42. On 18 May, a special commission released results of an official autopsy of the body of Bektemir Akunov - he died from mechanical asphyxia and grazes and abrasion on his body could not lead to the death. Akunov, 53, who took part in the protest hunger strike in Bishkek on 5-10 April, was found hanged in the morning of 14 April at a pretrial facility in the town of Naryn, where police detained him after his return from Bishkek. 24.kg

43. On 19 May, the presidential administration asked the administration of the Issyk-Kul Province to guarantee open and transparent procedures of selling land plots in the province and eliminate previous misdoings and law breaches. Kabar

44. On 19 May, the Kyrgyz futsal team lost to Uzbekistan (3 to 5) in the match for bronze at the Asian Championship in Osaka. Kyrgyzstan lost to Japan (0:1) in a semifinal on 18 May and Iran defeated Uzbekistan (7 to 3). On 14 May, Kyrgyzstan defeated Turkmenistan (7 to 1) and then Lebanon in a quarterfinal on 17 May (3 to 2). Iran won the title defeating Japan on 19 May - 4 to 1. AKIpress, Kabar, PressTV

45. Appointments and dismissals: on 14 May, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Jumasarlyk Nurjanov director of the Agency for State Purchases and Material Resources. Also on 14 May, Kudaibergen Bazarbaev was dismissed from the post of the head of governmental staff, he was appointed to the position on 17 April 2007. On 16 May, President Ilham Aliyev appointed Arif Agayev ambassador of Azerbaijan to Kyrgyzstan. Also on 16 May, Bakiyev sacked head of the Pervomai District of Bishkek Tilek Akambayev after walking along the central streets of the city. On 18 May, Bakiyev appointed Askarbek Bakeyev deputy head of the Drug Control Agency, replacing Vladimir Tolokontsev. On 19 May, it became known that Bakiyev appointed head of the Kickboxing Federation Aleksandr Voyinov his councilor for sport and youth affairs. Kabar. 24.kg, AKIpress, For.kg

Naryn AIYP.

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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 6-12 May 2007

2007-05-13T14:45:18Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 6 - 12 MAY 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. No real democracy yet in Central Asia.
2. Issue of Kumtor becomes heated.
3. Speculations around the US airbase Manas broaden too.
4. Serious press freedom reforms less likely in Kyrgyzstan.
5. Bakiyev succeeded in dividing the opposition.
6. Also in the week of 6 - 12 MAY 2007…

7 May, Monday:

1. NO REAL DEMOCRACY YET IN CENTRAL ASIA. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, who visited Kyrgyzstan (24-25 April), Tajikistan (25-29 April), Kazakhstan (30 April-2 May) and Turkmenistan (3-5 May) told journalists in Geneva on 7 May that countries in Central Asia continue to use the war on terrorism as an excuse to violate the human rights of their citizens. According to her, "The question of combating extremism and terrorism is always put forward as a justification for having very strong executive, a very robust law enforcement…. Whatever human-rights issue I raised, I am always told, 'Well, the United States do not bother with that, so why should we". She also said Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan do not have the kind of free press that allows human rights to flourish. She says they are all characterized by having a strong executive branch, a weak legislative branch, and an even weaker judicial branch. According to Arbour, "The real democracy needs a free press, freedom of expression for everybody, freedom of assembly, access to information and that is very, very weak…. There's a fascination with the mechanics of electoral democracy that is, as long as you hold elections and somebody can count ballot boxes and so on, you've got democracy... but these are just the mechanics". VoA, BBC

8 May, Tuesday:

2. ISSUE OF KUMTOR BECOMES HEATED. Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev told Canadian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Margaret Skock in Bishkek on 8 May Kyrgyzstan would not nationalize the Kumtor gold mine developed by a Canadian company, however, the general agreement signed in 1992 could be revised to fit it to Kyrgyz national interests. Vice Speaker of the Kyrgyz parliament Erkinbek Alymbekov also said on 11 May the agreement must be revised because the situation in Kyrgyzstan changed after the events of 24 March 2005.

About 200 people blocked the road to the mine in the Jeti-Oguz District of the Issyk-Kul Province on 4-11 May, demanding to increase a share of Kyrgyzstan in the project and to pay compensations for ecology damages as well as completing compensation payments for cyanide spill in May 1998. Head of the presidential administration Medet Sadyrkulov said on 10 May the blockade must be stopped, chairman of the presidential commission on human rights Tursunbek Akun arrived on the site on 11 May and the protest ended.

Deputy of Parliament Arslanbek Maliyev, who was elected from Issyk-Kul, said on 8 May the parliament should considering a law draft on bringing in order all the gold issues on the second reading soon and the general agreement must be revised. All the other documents signed after 1992 are illegal, Maliyev said. According to the law, which passed in parliament on 26 March, the general agreement between the Kyrgyz government and the Canadian CAMECO Corporation on Kumtor, signed on 4 December 1992, was not ratified by the Kyrgyz parliament, so it is illegal as are all the other agreements and contracts signed later on its base. The law also envisages that CAMECO should pay all the taxes not paid in 1992-2007 as well as to set up a special state-owned gold corporation, which should supervise development of all gold deposits in the country. 24.kg

Maliyev said in an interview with Deutsche Welle on 9 May that more than 220 tons of gold were produced at Kumtor since 1994 and Kyrgyzstan received no single gram of it. The Canadian side earned $1,200 million and Kyrgyzstan received $160m million only, so, it was a predatory agreement signed by the corrupt Kyrgyz leadership, Maliyev said. Finance Minister Akylbek Japarov also told Deutsche Welle Kyrgyzstan did not receive any gram of gold from Kumtor and the government has only 16 percent of shares in the Centerra Gold Company, which develops Kumtor now, however, Kyrgyzstan had 33 percent when Centerra was created to replace CAMECO several years ago and the government was pressed to sell the rest shares. Kabar, IHT, AKIpress, 24.kg, DW

9 May, Wednesday:

3. SPECULATIONS AROUND THE US AIRBASE MANAS BROADEN TOO. Middle East Newsline reported on 9 May, "Diplomatic sources said the U.S. military has been bolstering its presence in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan in what could mark preparations for air strikes against Iran. The sources said the U.S. Air Force has been particularly active in the Kyrgyz base of Manas near Bishkek. "The use of Kyrgyzstan makes sense as Iraq, Turkey and the Gulf Arab states are no longer options in any strike against Iran," a diplomatic source said. "This doesn't mean that this will take place - only that Kyrgyzstan is an option." Spokesman for the Kyrgyz Defense Ministry Murat Ashyrbekov told the 24.kg Agency on 10 May if there would be any such air strikes, it would endanger the existence of the air base in Kyrgyzstan because the Kyrgyz parliament would consider the issue seriously. However, the report with the Ashyrbekov's interview was removed from the site soon after it. Chairman of the parliamentary committee on defense and security issues Rashid Tagayev said on 11 May his committee would consider the issue of advisability of existence of the US base on the Kyrgyz territory before 25 May.

Russian Interfax reported on 2 May, referring to an anonymous Kyrgyz special service expert, "The U.S. might be keeping low-yield nuclear weapons at its airbase in Kyrgyzstan's Manas for possible use against Iran's nuclear facilities". The expert said, "No one can rule out the possibility that such nuclear weapons may be there, because the Kyrgyz customs services do not control cargo delivered to the Manas airbase". U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Marie Yovanovitch denied on 3 May a report that nuclear weapons may have been deployed to the Manas airbase.

Roger McDermott wrote on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor on 8 May about the reports that the US airbase Manas near Bishkek could being used to store nuclear weapons, "The Kyrgyz authorities are evidently concerned enough about the possibility of a future attack on Iran from Manas that they failed to prevent the intelligence officer in question from leaking details of the transit of goods into and out of the base, as well as his wild speculation about nuclear weapons. Such controversy surrounding Manas intermittently surfaces, but it also serves Russia's interests, since the Russian defense community is increasingly hostile toward any U.S. military presence in the vicinity of Russia’s borders. Iran offers another way for Moscow to exert pressure on Washington to withdraw its forces form Central Asia". MENL, 24.kg, Interfax, Kommersant, EDM

4. SERIOUS PRESS FREEDOM REFORMS LESS LIKELY IN KYRGYZSTAN. Alex Lupis of the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists wrote on 9 May, "Some press gains are reported in Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan, but the Color Revolutions have yet to deliver lasting reforms". According to him, "all three countries face the economic and political influence of neighboring Russia, which has consistently opposed Western-oriented democratic reforms…. Prospects for serious reform are less likely in Kyrgyzstan, which is bounded geographically by repressive Central Asian regimes and influenced politically by a Soviet-style political elite".

"In Kyrgyzstan, the Tulip Revolution of March 2005 opened the way for a new coalition government", however, "Kyrgyz officials still place government loyalists in important state news media positions". The coalition, which brought President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to power, "vowed to privatize state media, create a public service broadcaster, and decriminalize libel. While a better press freedom climate emerged in the following months, journalists continued to face political pressure and occasional physical attacks…. With the country beset by crime, corruption, and economic woes, Bakiyev has clung to power, sometimes tenuously, throughout the past year. Under intense public pressure, he agreed last fall to constitutional changes limiting his power but backed away from his pledge to remake KTR…. In March, public pressure again mounting, Bakiyev finally signed a decree that transformed KTR from a state owned and controlled outlet into an independent, publicly financed broadcaster. But details were sketchy, and some analysts questioned how independent the station would become…. As Bakiyev and parliament were locked in a struggle over constitutional reform last fall, the state broadcasters KTR, KOORT, and El TV aired coverage that was supportive of the president. By contrast, the private - and independent-minded - television station Pyramida was knocked off the air in fall 2006 when vandals destroyed $200,000 worth of transmission equipment". CPJ

12 May, Saturday:

5. BAKIYEV SUCCEEDED IN DIVIDING THE OPPOSITION. The Institute for Public Policy issued on 12 May a quarterly report on the political events in Kyrgyzstan took place in January-April 2007. It is said in it, "The main events this year are a natural continuation of the processes, which took place in November-December 2006 - a reaction to the rollback in December when a new Constitution increasing presidential powers was adopted". However, the president succeeded in dividing the opposition. "Creation of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' restructured the political space. The 'For Reforms!' movement…. split up…. There was no unity among politicians who joined the United Front…. part of the opposition thought it was necessary to have a corresponding negotiation process to press Bakiev into making possible concessions…. Another opposition faction refused to take part in negotiations with the President and insisted on advancing early presidential elections as its principle demand", but "the real threat of being deposed became the deciding factor which forced Bakiev to start negotiating with the moderate opposition in mid-March", and "Azim Isabekov's Cabinet was sacrificed to the president's strategy of splitting the opposition camp". IPP

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 6 - 12 MAY 2007:

6. On 4-7 May, Foreign Minister Akylbek Japarov took part in Kyoto in an annual meeting of the board of the Asian Development Bank. He met with President of the bank Haruhiko Kuroda discussing possibilities of writing off the Kyrgyz debt to the bank amounted to $500 million and also had meetings with Japanese and Chinese finance ministers discussing bilateral relations. AKIpress, Kabar, 24.kg

7. On 6 May, it became known that the group The City 312, originated from Bishkek, would take part in a concert From Russia with Love in Tel Aviv on 17 May. NewsRu, Gorod312

8. On 7 May, "The Scotsman" reported referring to Lecturer Roland Dannreuther, who has just had a book published on international security, about the difficulties in the last week's Scottish election saying "the small state of Kyrgyzstan…. managed its elections more successfully". Scotsman

9. On 7 May, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said at a meeting with residents of the Kurshab Village in the southern Osh Province the government is not able giving loans of 200,000 soms to each of 25,000 families suffered from floods. 24.kg

10. On 7 May, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote that in Kyrgyzstan, "the district level of local government could soon be phased out. This changes has been prompted by this year’s changeover to a two-tier budget system under which central government and local rural administrations are the only budget-holders". IWPR NBCA

11. On 7 May, Russian "Kommersant" wrote about interrogations of the daughter of former president Askar Akayev giving words of Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev who said the Kyrgyz authorities try making Akayev to feel what he did to the opposition when he reigned himself. Kommersant

12. On 7 May, Chairman of the Kyrgyz Association of Geologists Orozbek Duisheev welcomed the decision by the prime minister to nationalize the plant of polycrystal silicon in Tash-Komur. AKIpress

13. On 7 May, President of the National Olympic Committee Marat Saralinov praised the support of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to sport, according to him, financing of the State Committee for Sport doubled during the Bakiyev presidentship. Kabar

14. On 7 May, Deutsche Welle reported about the conference on transport infrastructure in Central Asia, held in Dushanbe by the US Department of Commerce on 7 May, saying the minimal obstacles on the roads of Central Asia are registered in Kyrgyzstan. DW

15. On 7-12 May, the international festival INPUT2007 of short TV films was held in Lugano, Switzerland. The film Parz by Director Temirbek Birnazarov represented Kyrgyzstan. 24.kg, Kabar

16. On 8 May, Freedom House reported from New York that the US Embassy arranged the reception at the Media Support Center Foundation in Bishkek on 3 May in response to the 20 April raid, when security officers confiscated all copies of two Kyrgyz-language papers at the printing press of the foundation. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said at the reception he regretted that the print runs of the opposition newspapers were seized on 20 April and promised there would be no such cases in the future. FH, Kabar

17. On 8 May, Chairwoman of the State Committee for Migration and Employment Aigul Ryskulova said there are about 500 Kyrgyz citizens held in the pre-trial detention facilities of different Russian cities, about 150 of them in Moscow. According to her, the committee succeeded 400 such people returning home in 2006. According to official information, about 250,000 Kyrgyz gastarbeiters work in Russia; however, the real figure is more than 500,000. AKIpress, DW

18. On 8 May, Deputy of Parliament Sultan Urmanayev said in an interview with "Agym" that local authorities of the Issyk-Kul Province began selling land plots on the Shore of Issyk-Kul Lake to Kazakh citizens after Kydykbek Isayev was appointed governor of the province. AKIpress

19. On 8 May, Minister of Education and Science Kanybek Osmonaliyev said Kyrgyz schools would be transferred to the 12-year education system after 2010 according to the Bologna Process. 24.kg

20. On 8 May, Movie Director Ernest Abdyjaparov said in an interview with the 24.kg Agency about his departure to the Cannes Film Festival with his new film Boz Salkyn that such an event in Kazakhstan or in Russia would have been accompanied with fanfares and pathos. 24.kg

21. On 8-10 May, Director of the Drug Control Agency Alimbai Sultanov took part in Madrid in an annual international conference on fighting drugs. Kabar

22. On 9 May, EU Observer reported from Belgium that it is not surprising that the EU renewed interest in Central Asia under a German Presidency, "Germany remains the only European member state with a full complement of embassies in all five Central Asian states, and chancellor Merkel and foreign minister Steinmeier have both repeatedly spoken of their desire to reach out and stabilize European relations with their Eurasian partners". EU Observer

23. On 9 May, Almaz Kalet wrote in the Russian magazine "Oasis" that Kyrgyz leaders promised to turn Kyrgyzstan into the Central Asian Switzerland first and now they say Kyrgyzstan should be a second Kazakhstan. Oasis

24. On 9 May, Kanat Kaisarov wrote in the same issue of "Oasis" that Russia could be disappointed by a decision of Kazakhstan to finance construction of the Kambar-Ata hydro power stations in Kyrgyzstan. Oasis

25. On 9 May, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev presented at celebrations in Bishkek the keys from cars to three participants of the World War Two - the two Heroes of the Soviet Union, Daiyr Asanov and Stepan Sushchev, as well as Mstislav Ivanov, who was awarded with the complete of the Honor Orders. Kabar

26. On 9 May, a one-year-old baby - M.Askarov - was killed during the V-Day celebrations at the Metallurg Stadium in the town of Kadamjai in the southern Batken Province - a serviceman of border troops shot an illuminating cartridge which hit spectators, the cartridge pierced through the baby's chest, and he died on the spot. His mother Makhabat Pazylova, 22, was hospitalized with wounds. RIA Novosti, Itar-Tass, Regnum, 24.kg

27. On 9 May, Centerra Gold Inc. CEO Len Homeniuk told shareholders in Canada the company expects to increase 2007 gold production by about 20 percent, or around 700,000 ounces, after a tough 2006 when it was forced to cut output in Kyrgyzstan. In spite of the protests in Kyrgyzstan, the company plans investing $15 million in exploration and $59 million in growth capital. However, net earnings of Centerra were at $5.9 million in the first three months of 2007, down from $18 million in the first quarter of 2006. CBC News

28. On 9 May, Independent Expert Anar Musabaeva wrote about the water sharing problems in Central Asia in an article posted on the site of the Institute for Public Policy, "Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have similar interests and positions that do not get proper acknowledgement from our neighbors in the region. Unfortunately, the Uzbek and Kazakh leaders refuse those poorest countries in the CIS to admit to a principle of pragmatic economics, but they like to refer to it. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have put up with an unprofitable water regime for a long time". According to her, "Kyrgyzstan should reject the Alma-Ata agreement of 1992 which reinforced a scheme that existed in Soviet times and conduct negotiations for reconsidering the conditions or a new agreement". IPP

29. On 10 May, Prosecutor General Elmurza Satybaldiyev told human rights activists in Bishkek that a new criminal investigation filed into the Aksy shootings - the Typhoon operation conducted by the police would be investigated. The Prosecutor General Office also appealed to the Supreme Court asking to cancel previous rulings. AKIpress, 24.kg

30. On 10 May, the Russian agency Marketing and Consulting published an article, which says Kazakh citizens and companies becoming owners of the most profitable enterprises in Kyrgyzstan and no Kyrgyz-owned companies could be left in Kyrgyzstan soon. The author of the article was Bektur Zulpiyev, department head at the Kyrgyz presidential administration. M&C

31. On 10 May, the other Russian agency, Forum.msk.ru, published another article by the same author, department head at the Kyrgyz presidential administration Bektur Zulpiyev, which also says Kazakh businesspersons could soon own everything around the Kyrgyz lake of Issyk-Kul. He gave an example of Okinawa with one of the best sea resorts in the world, which remains one of the poorest provinces of Japan, because the Americans own the resorts there. Zulpiyev stated the same day he was not the author of the article. Forum, Tazar

32. On 10 May, EBRD Representative to Kyrgyzstan Daniel Berg told journalists in Bishkek it is real to increase GDP annual growth in Kyrgyzstan to 8 percent if to drag $300 to $500 million direct investment yearly. The figure is $120-$140 million now. 24.kg

33. On 10 May, Chairman of the National Bank Marat Alapayev told journalists in Bishkek on occasion of the 14th anniversary of the Kyrgyz currency som, that credit ability of the commercial banks in Kyrgyzstan increased in the first four months of the year by 44.34 percent to 16,383 million soms and the crediting rate decreased by 4.03 percent to 22.53 percent. He also said Kyrgyzstan plans putting in circulation coins in 2008. 24.kg, Kabar, BPC, AKIpress, DW

34. On 10 May, it became known that doctors of the US air base at Manas near Bishkek have made heart surgeries to 76 Kyrgyz children since 2003, each of the surgery cost $560 and the Mabos medical center paid the bills. AKIpress

35. On 10 May, the US State Department gave through the Counterpart Consortium to the Kyrgyz National Hospital equipment worth $224,800 as humanitarian aide. 24.kg

36. On 10 May, the new magazine for young women entitled "Style.Kg" was presented in Bishkek. Its Chief Editor Bermet Turduniyazova said the magazine would provide people with "positive information". BPC, 24.kg, Kabar

37. On 10 May, the festival DJ’Sensation of club music began in Bishkek, it will last till 25 May and DJs from Moscow and Almaty are expected to take part. 24.kg

38. On 10 May, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed a decree on implementing of the law on access to information being in possession of the state bodies. According to it, leaders of the state institutions and local governments are responsible personally for such access. Kabar

39. On 11 May, Hong Kong-based "Asia Times" reported Turkey downgraded its ambitions from Bosnia-Herzegovina to Xinjiang through the South Caucasus throughout the 1990s, however, it "can now play a new card. Since competition in Central Asia is becoming continuously augmented, Turkey may be crucial to enhancing Europe's chances to vie successfully with China and Russia". AT

40. On 11 May, Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev said in an interview with the "Agym" newspaper that high ranked officials were behind the selling of the Kristall plant of polycrystal silicon in Tash-Komur. According to him, very few copies of advertisement on the auction were printed as a false supplement to the "Kyrgyz Tuusu" daily and President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said in an interview with Russian "Kommersant" that he got know about the auction from press. 24.kg, Kommersant

41. On 11 May, Roman Bogdanyantz, 20, took hostage a son of Russian Businessman Oleg Yurenkov at the Russian embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, and surrendered to police after four-hour negotiations with involvement of his parents Marat and Tatyana Bogdanyantz. He was born in Kyrgyzstan and arrived in Costa Rica in 2005 from Russia. RIA Novosti, BBC, Euronews

42. On 12 May,"The Baltimore Sun" reported, language is for Russia "a sign of international influence. That is why Moscow has pushed for Russian to be made a state or official language throughout most of the former Soviet Union. It has succeeded only in Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan". BS

43. On 12 May, it is the 13th anniversary of the ceasefire in Karabakh, reached in 1994 after a Bishkek Protocol was singed in Bishkek on 5 May 1994. Arminfo

44. On 12 May, it was the next to last day of the Asian Wrestling Championships being held in Bishkek since 8 May. Kyrgyz wrestlers Bazar Bazarguruyev (60-kg class) and Aleksey Krupnyakov (96 kg) won the golds in the free style wrestling on 8 May. Then Yana Panova (72 kg) earned bronze in the women wrestling on 10 May. On 12 May, Kanat Begaliyev (66 kg) became Asian champion in Greco-Roman events, and Janarbek Kenjeev (84 kg) and Nurbek Ibragimov (120 kg) won bronze medals. On 13 May, the last day of the championship, Greco-Roman wrestlers compete in the classes of 60, 74 and 96 kg. Kabar, IHT

45. Appointments and dismissals: on 8 May, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Turdubek Almamatov deputy chairman of the Committee for National Security, he was before a department head at the committee. Also on 8 May, Bakiyev granted Minister of Internal Affairs Bolot Nogoibayev a rank of lieutenant general and his deputy Osmonali Guronov receive a rank of major general. On 10 May, Bakiyev appointed Sarpek Eshaliyev head of the administration of the Kara-Buura District of the Talas Province replacing Shadybek Jumanaliyev. Also on 10 May, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev appointed Kubanychbek Kulmatov first deputy chairman of the Customs Committee and Samsaly Subanaliyev - deputy chairman.

Naryn AIYP.

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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 29 Apr - 5 May 2007

2007-05-06T20:05:17Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. The US releases reports on terrorism.
2. Press in Kyrgyzstan is still 'not free'.
3. US airman who killed a Kyrgyz citizen left Kyrgyzstan long ago.
4. Speculations on possible nuke at the Manas airbase.
5. Press freedom is an essential part of democracy - Atambayev.
6. Adoption of a new constitution is delayed.
7. Revolution on Kyrgyzstan is the most significant event in CA since the fall of the USSR.
8. Also in the week of 29 April - 5 May 2007…

30 April, Monday:

1. THE US RELEASES REPORTS ON TERRORISM. Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the US Department of State released on 30 April the Country Reports on Terrorism in the world. It is said in it that since 11 September 2001, progress in the international community's conflict with transnational terrorists has been mixed, "Significant achievements in border security, information sharing, transportation security, financial controls, and the killing or capture of numerous terrorist leaders have reduced the threat. But the threat still remains, and state sponsorship, the terrorist response to intervention in Iraq, improved terrorist propaganda capabilities, the pursuit of nuclear weapons by state sponsors of terrorism, and terrorist exploitation of grievances represent ongoing challenges". Its part on Kyrgyzstan is devoted to the steps the Kyrgyz authorities took to disrupt terrorism since 2001 and surveys the events in 2006. The United States provided $280,000 in equipment to the Kyrgyz government in December 2006 to help improve operational effectiveness of the country's Border Guards. US State Department

1 May, Tuesday:

2. PRESS IN KYRGYZSTAN IS STILL 'NOT FREE'. Freedom House released on 1 May, on the eve of the World Press Freedom Day marked on 3 May, its annual report on the state of press in the world in 2006 called Global Press Freedom 2007. It warned of a growing setbacks in Asia as well as a continuation of a longer-term pattern of decline in press freedom in Latin America and the former Soviet Union. According to Jennifer Windsor, Freedom House's Executive Director, "Assaults on the media are inevitably followed by assaults on other democratic institutions".

Press in Kyrgyzstan was rated Not Free in the report as it was last year and Kyrgyzstan is on the 147th place out of 195. In the first years of independence, Kyrgyzstan was rated by Freedom House Partly Free and it was called an island of democracy in Central Asia after it, however, since mid-1990s, when the authorities led by President Askar Akayev began suing journalists, the country is Not Free. The situation in Kyrgyzstan in 2006 was better than in Azerbaijan and Russia (both on the 164th place) or Kazakhstan and Tajikistan (both on the 166th place). Belarus is the 186th; Uzbekistan on the 189th place and Turkmenistan is the second from the end, before North Korea. The situation is better than in Kyrgyzstan in Moldova (144), Armenia (142), Georgia (120) and Ukraine (112), the latter two countries were rated Partly Free, all other states of the CIS are Not Free.

Situation in Estonia (the 16th place in the world) is better than in Great Britain (31) or France and Austria (both on the 39th place). Press in Lithuania is free as in the Czech Republic (29) and situation in Latvia is the same as in Great Britain. The Mongolian press (79) is more free than in Turkey (105), situation in China and Iran is the same as in Rwanda (181) and a little bit better than in Somalia (185). Press is most free in Finland and Iceland; they are followed by Belgium, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists released on 2 May the report "Top 10 Backsliders", who reflect a mixture of relatively open countries that have turned increasingly repressive and traditionally restrictive nations where press conditions, remarkably, have worsened. They are Ethiopia, Gambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Russia, Cuba, Pakistan, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Morocco, and Thailand. Eleven journalists were murdered in Russia in the last five years including Paul Khlebnikov in 2004 and Anna Politkovskaya last year; no cases solved. In Azerbaijan, five journalists are in jail and Editor of the Monitor Magazine Elmar Huseynov slain in 2005. FH, CPJ

2 May, Wednesday:

3. US AIRMAN WHO KILLED A KYRGYZ CITIZEN LEFT KYRGYZSTAN LONG AGO. The "Delo Nomer…" weekly reported on 2 May that US airman Zachary Hatfield, who is charged with shooting down Kyrgyz citizen Aleksandr Ivanov at the Manas airbase near Bishkek on 6 December 2006, left Kyrgyzstan for the USA on 22 March. The same day, on 2 May, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission under the Kyrgyz President Tursunbek Akun stated the Kyrgyz-US agreement on the base signed on 15 December 2001 allowed the US servicemen avoiding punishment because they have diplomatic immunity according to the agreement and suggested to try Hatfield in absence. Akun said on 3 May that the agreement should be revised and told journalists on 4 May that Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev agreed that the Akunov's commission would supervise the case. According to Akun, Atambayev had a meeting with US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Marie Yovanovich in Bishkek on 3 May and the premier advanced a remark to the ambassador on the leave of the airman.

The U.S. embassy said on 3 May, "The airman departed Kyrgyzstan on March 21. The U.S. investigation into the shooting continues and we continue to collaborate closely with Kyrgyz authorities about it". Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev demanded earlier that American servicemen stationed in the country be stripped of diplomatic immunity. The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry demanded on 7 December 2006 that Hatfield should not leave Kyrgyzstan. John Daly wrote on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor on 4 May, "U. S. intransigence about submitting Hatfield to the Kyrgyz justice system has soured relations between the United States and Kyrgyzstan and threatened the continued U.S. presence at the airbase, Washington’s last remaining facility in Central Asia north of Afghanistan… The issue here is whether removing a single U.S. serviceman from regional justice is worth a potential retreat from this vital link to Afghanistan in former Soviet Central Asia". Delo Nomer…, 24.kg, AKIpress, Reuters, RIA Novosti. EDM

4. SPECULATIONS ON POSSIBLE NUKE AT THE MANAS AIRBASE. Russian Interfax reported on 2 May, referring to an anonymous Kyrgyz special service expert, "The U.S. might be keeping low-yield nuclear weapons at its airbase in Kyrgyzstan's Manas for possible use against Iran's nuclear facilities". The expert said, "No one can rule out the possibility that such nuclear weapons may be there, because the Kyrgyz customs services do not control cargo delivered to the Manas airbase". U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Marie Yovanovitch denied on 3 May a report that nuclear weapons may have been deployed to the Manas airbase. Interfax, Kommersant

3 May, Thursday:

5. PRESS FREEDOM IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF DEMOCRACY - ATAMBAYEV. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev visited the print house of the Center to Support Media in Bishkek on 3 May, the World press Freedom Day, and said at a meeting there press freedom is an essential part of democracy and there is neither democracy nor progress without press freedom. However, according to him, journalists must be responsible because their words and articles could stir up conflicts. He also said he regrets that the print runs of the opposition newspapers were seized on 20 April and promised there would be no such cases in the future. The US and Turkish ambassadors to Kyrgyzstan, Marie Yovanovich and Serpil Alpman, accompanied Atambayev during his visit.

The Center to Support Media was opened in Bishkek by Freedom House on 14 November 2003, it is financed by the Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor of the US State Department with support from the Open Society Institute of George Soros and the Norwegian Foreign Ministry. It prints in color not only independent newspapers of Kyrgyzstan but also from the neighboring states. The same day, on 3 May, UN Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan Neil Volker held a meeting with Kyrgyz journalists in Bishkek and said more than 150 journalists were killed around the world in 2006. Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress, Kyrgyz Weekly

4 May, Friday:

6. ADOPTION OF A NEW CONSTITUTION IS DELAYED. Chairman of the Human Rights Commission under the Kyrgyz President Tursunbek Akun told journalists in Bishkek on 4 May the Constitutional Court have not yet begun considering the law draft on amendments to the constitution prepared by a working group led by Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev and sent to it early in April. According to Akun, some people around the president are interested in delaying and Atambayev could have problems. Akun also said he appealed to the president asking to take measures against Chairman of the Committee of National Security Murat Sutalinov and leaders of other law enforcement bodies who ordered detaining some opposition leaders last week. 24.kg

7. REVOLUTION ON KYRGYZSTAN IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENT IN CA SINCE THE FALL OF THE USSR. Bakyt Beshimov, vice-president for academic affairs of the American University - Central Asia, wrote in an article posted on the site of the Institute for Public Policy on 4 May, that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev "represents the last generation of the soviet nomenclature, which could never adapt to the new system. It adapts the new system to their mercenary interests. The current leaders of Kyrgyzstan do not want systemic changes; they adapt power to suit their interests, and the new version of the constitution adopted in December last year is good proof of it. They have adapted the notorious parliament to their dubious policies and officially acknowledged the political regionalism by creating the tandem. The judiciary branch is in fact an office that confirms the political decisions of the authorities. Coming to power under the slogans of democracy, the current leaders claim that western liberal democracy is not expedient for Kyrgyzstan".

According to Beshimov, "instability in Kyrgyzstan is a cause for concern and apprehension. That is why the democratic world in Central Asia prefers the Kazakh model of controlled democracy", however, the main destabilizing factor in Central Asia is "the absence of peaceful democratic procedures for the transfer of power and hostility towards dissent" and the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan in 2005 "as a continuation of the Silk Revolution in 1990 is the most significant political event in Central Asia since the fall of the USSR. One shouldn't look at the revolution primarily through the lens of concern and apprehension The Tulip Revolution is a true precursor to democracy in Central Asia". IPP

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 29 APRIL - 5 MAY 2007:

8. On 29 April, the by-election to parliament was held at the Otuz-Adyr constituency in the Osh Province, Osmonaly Attokurov and Ravshanbek Sabirov, who collected 36.5 and 33.7 percent of votes correspondingly, would take part in run-off. Kabar

9. On 30 April, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote, "The opposition rally in Bishkek has made both the authorities and the opposition understand that they need to negotiate, and contributed to greater political awareness across society". IWPR

10. On 30 April, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote, "Journalists caught up in Kyrgyzstan’s political battles and general instability remain vulnerable to harassment, intimidation and assault", and gave the facts of the recent attacks of journalists in Kyrgyzstan. IWPR

11. On 30 April, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said in Bishkek at the round table on changes to the constitution that the draft prepared by his working group is balanced, it could have shortcomings but they could be eliminated later. AKIpress

12. On 30 April, Valentin Bogatyryov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club there are too much democracy in Kyrgyzstan but too little democrats. According to him, a battle for property and recourses take place now because many officials who made a fortune during the Askar Akayev's time join the opposition. BPC

13. On 30 April, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Goran Lennmarker welcomed in Bishkek the recent elimination of the clauses on libel and insulting from the Kyrgyz Criminal Code. The delegation he led met in Bishkek with State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov, Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ednan Karabayev. 24.kg, Kabar, AKIpress

14. On 30 April, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ednan Karabayev discussed with Nurjehan Mawani, representative of the Aga Khan Development Network in Kyrgyzstan, issues of tourism development in the Issyk-Kul Province. Kabar, AKIpress

15. On 30 April, the Fourth International Youth Film Festival ended in Yerevan. The Coast short film by Kyrgyz Director Aibek Daiyrbekov won the prize The Best Fiction Film. 24.kg, AKIpress

16. On 1 May, the Central Election Commission held its meeting in the Kemin District and disbanded the District Electoral Commission and found the results of the by-election to parliament, held there on 29 April, illegal because more people voted against all the candidates than for a candidate who collected most of votes. It also confirmed that the results in the four election districts were falsified. According to a lawyer of one of the candidates, people of Bermet Akayeva, a candidate who was barred from the election, made forgery and the candidates adopted on 2 May a special statement condemning "the anti-constitutional behavior" of Akayeva. Kabar, AKIpress, 24.kg, Regnum

17. On 1 May, the EurasiaNet site reported about the visit of the Kazakh president to Kyrgyzstan on 25-16 April, "Nazarbayev had originally planned to make an address in Kyrgyzstan's parliament, which contains many of Bakiyev’s strongest opponents, but he ended up not appearing before MPs". According to Anuar Ayazbekov the Kazakh Institute for Economic Strategies-Central Asia, "It clearly was a wise decision, since during [such a] meeting a lot of politically sensitive issues that concern the elites of both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan could have been raised by radical MPs". EurasiaNet

18. On 2 May, Edil Baisalov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that a new constitution should be adopted before the summer parliamentary recess to seclude possibility of new protests in the fall. According to Baisalov, no political forces in the country fight no for a parliamentary form of government. BPC

19. On 2 May, Deputy of Parliament Dooronbek Sadyrbayev said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that the main and genius provocateur who tries to kill the Kyrgyz opposition for 15 years already is Feliks Kulov and former President Askar Akayev helped him as incumbent President Kurmanbek Bakiyev does it now. According to Sadyrbayev, Kulov showed it clearly during the April protests. BPC

20. On 2 May, Michael Coffey wrote on the site of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute of the Johns Hopkins University about the recent rallies in Bishkek, "The decisive April 19 crackdown may have averted such unrest for the time being, but the fate of the future protests that are certain to take place remain an open question…. Increased organization and the concurrent militarization of government and opposition forces means that the consequences of any unintended clash between the two sides could be significantly greater than during previous 'meetings'." CACI

21. On 2 May, Timur Dadabaev, Associate Professor at the University of Tsukuba and Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo, wrote on the site of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute of the Johns Hopkins University that the Central Asian countries should "re-convene around the concept of a Common Economic Space, defining shared economic objectives and economic security concerns and forming strategies that benefit all participating parties". CACI

22. On 2 May, Erica Marat wrote on the site of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, "Kazakhstan is already a leading economic investor in Kyrgyzstan, in a few years its engagement in the Kyrgyz economy is likely to surpass that of Russia… Although Nazarbayev’s April 26 trip to Bishkek lasted only few hours, it suggested that Kazakhstan's economy is ready to compete and, eventually, overshadow Russia’s influence in Kyrgyzstan and the Central Asian region". CACI

23. On 2 May, Sergei Sabko, director general pf the Consultant Company, wrote in an article posted on the site of the Institute for Public Policy, "The current edition of the tax code…. represents an authoritarian type of tax regime", and "tax rates in Kyrgyzstan are artificially overstated". IPP

24. On 2 May, Andrei Sazanov, vice president of the Kumtor Operating Company, which deve;ops the Kumtor gold deposit, stated developing other precious metals at Kumtor except gold and silver is premature now. There are tons of platinum, palladium, tellurium, tungsten there in Kumtor. AKIpress, Kyrgyz Weekly

25. On 2 May, deputy of the parliament of North Korea, chairman of the Kyrgyz-Korean Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Association Park Chan Sok told journalists in Bishkek after a meeting with Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev that North Korea gives Kyrgyzstan a quota of 2,000 labor migrants this year and would finance a center to learn the Korean language to be opened in Bishkek. Kabar. 24.kg

26. On 2 May, Ruslan Abasov from Kyrgyzstan won a title of the Eurasian Champion in WBKF kickboxing in Moscow defeating World Champion Sergei Gur from Minsk. Abasov was already the WBKF world champion in 2005, the inter-continental champion in 2003, the WAKO world champion twice and the European champion also twice. SportLenta

27. On 3 May, Erica Marat wrote in an article posted on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor about the last visit by the Kazakh president to Bishkek on 26 April that Nursultan Nazarbayev "slammed his Kyrgyz counterpart Kurmanbek Bakiyev for the continuous political turmoil in that country. Along with his pledges to increase involvement in Kyrgyzstan's key economic sectors, Nazarbayev is likely to play an increasingly important role in Kyrgyzstan’s political life as well". EDM

28. On 3 May, Zainidin Kurmanov said in an interview with the "De Facto" newspaper that visits of such politicians as Nursultan Nazarbayev push Kyrgyzstan in a wrong direction. According to Kurmanov, Nazarbayev never was a democrat and he was angry in Bishkek surprising that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev cannot make decisions and the parliament makes obstacles to it. AKIpress

29. On 3 May, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote that the law draft prepared by Deputy Alisher Sabirov and presented to parliament in April, "reclassifying online publications in Kyrgyzstan as media will make websites conform to official state registration procedures and restrict freedom of speech". IWPR NBCA

20. On 3 May, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said in Bishkek at the first meeting of the Investment Council under the president that growth of direct foreign investment should reach 10 to 15 percent of GDP and their total amount should be 25 to 35 percent of GDP to secure an 8-percent growth of the Kyrgyz economy. Kabar. 24.kg

31. On 3 May, ten teachers of the school 81 in Bishkek announced they seized land plots four days ago because could not receive any plots before by legal ways and lost any hope for it. Kabar, 24.kg

32. On 3 May, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev offered EBRD Director for Central Asia Masaru Honma at a meeting in Bishkek to take part in a project of setting up a big bank based on the post offices in Kyrgyzstan. 24.kg

33. On 3 May, Internews Network marked the tenth anniversary of its activity in Kyrgyzstan and the 25 years of its foundation. AKIpress

34. On 3 May, Kazakh Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Umarzak Uzbekov told journalists in Bishkek Kazakhstan is ready allotting $8 million for producing a feasibility study to construct the two Kambar-Ata hydro power stations in Kyrgyzstan. AKIpress

35. On 3 May, the Russian site Rosbalt reported $450 million was transferred from Russia to Kyrgyzstan in 2006 while the state budget of Kyrgyzstan was $681 million and gave figures for all other CIS countries with exception of Turkmenistan. Rosbalt

36. On 4 May, Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov said he is against adopting a new constitution via public referendum because the country could receive a constitution for a presidential form of governance this way. 24.kg

37. On 4 May, Deputy Chairman of the Ata-Meken Party Duishen Chotonov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club President Kurmanbek Bakiyev would try dissolving the parliament before 2010 when the next presidential election should be held. BPC

38. On 4 May, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said in Bishkek on the eve of the Constitution day marked in Kyrgyzstan on 5 May that the 1993 constitution gave Kyrgyzstan an opportunity to join the world community as a partner ready to cooperate and which is treated as an equal in rights UN member. Kabar, BPC

39. On 4 May, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said in Bishkek at a ceremony of receiving 60 carriages from Russia that GDP growth was 7.3 percent in the first quarter of the year and 9.5 percent without counting the Kumtor gold production while the industrial output increased by 10 percent. According to Bakiyev, there was not such growth before. Kabar

40. On 4 May, the lawyers of Bermet Akayev, who was barred from the by-election to parliament held on 29 April, appealed to the Constitutional Court asking to find the clause 69 of the Election Code anti constitutional one. According to the clause, a citizen must live five years permanently in Kyrgyzstan prior to be nominated to parliament. 24.kg

41. On 4 May, about 400 residents of the Jeti-Oguz District of the Issyk-Kul Province blocked the road to the Kumtor gold deposit demanding to revise the General Agreement with a Canadian company, which develops the deposit, to secure ecological security and to conduct transparent cadre policy. According to the 24,kg Agency, Deputy of Parliament Arslan Maliyev urged the residents to protest. 24.kg

42. On 4 May, the government informed it gave the Kyrgyz-British joint venture UMC Plus a paert of the Ak-Ulak coal mine near the Min-Kush town to develop for two years. 24.kg

43. On 5 May, Feliks Kulov said at a meeting in the village of Baitik near Bishkek that the nation and the country are on the verge of division and the people should prevent it. About 600 delegates from around the country took part in the meeting, they adopted a resolution, which says President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his inner circle committed a crime by using residents of the southern regions to disperse the opposition rally in Bishkek on 19 April and the government led by Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev, which supported it, is worth disdaining. 24.kg

44. On 5 May, Bermet Akayeva was interrogated at he Kemin District Police Department for about three hours in connection with the criminal case filed due to the public disorders took place in Kemin during the night to 24 April. She was charged with the three clauses of the Criminal Code - obstruction of justice, disrespect for a court and destruction of a document - and then released under a written commitment not to leave Bishkek. She herself called it a house arrest. Her father, former Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev stated from Moscow the same day that the Kyrgyz authorities revive Stalin-stile repressions and that her daughter was tortured morally in unexampled way. Her supporters kept the chairman of the district court, as well as the head of the district police and the district prosecutor hostage the whole night on 23 April demanding to cancel the court ruling barring her from the election. She was interrogated on 29 April first for 9 hours. RIA Novosti, 24.kg

45. Appointments and dismissals: On 1 May, Jeff Erlich became new president of the Eurasia Foundation in Central Asia; he replaced Andrew Wilson. On 2 May, it became known that Bakyt Sydykov became president of the Manas Airport in Bishkek, replacing Egemberdi Myrzabekov; he is the son of Usen Sydykov, adviser to President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and former chief of the presidential staff. On 4 May, Bakiyev appointed Almazbek Imanaliyev chairman of the State Committee on State Property, replacing Tursun Turdumambetov. Kabar. 24.kg

Regards, Naryn AIYP.

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Please send your feedback to IdinovN@tiscali.cz
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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 22-28 Apr 2007

2007-04-29T18:41:14Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 22 - 28 APRIL 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. Dispersal of the rally in Bishkek on 19 April was planned beforehand.
2. Some opposition members are detained for several days.
3. Ministers do not obey the prime minister
4. President did not recall a new constitution draft from parliament
5. New protest rallies are organized in Bishkek.
6. Kazakh president visits Bishkek.
7. Unions in Central Asia are created, renamed, recreated.
8. United front was ready for difficulties.
9. President agrees holding early elections - Kulov.
10. Nazarvayev's visit was cut short.
11. Also in the week of 22 - 28 April 2007…

22 April, Sunday:

1. DISPERSAL OF THE RALLY IN BISHKEK ON 19 APRIL WAS PLANNED BEFOREHAND. Deutsche Welle reported on 22 April that according to its own sources in the Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs, an oral order to disperse the opposition rally in Bishkek on 19 April was given the interior minister from the presidential administration at about noon of that day. The Committee of National Security was engaged in organizing a cause for it. Russian "Kommersant" reported on 21 April that in the evening of 19 April, "nearly 100 people in white caps suddenly appeared on the square. No one had seen these people during the nine days when the opposition held its protest rallies. The strangers quickly mixed with the crowd, after which stones and sticks began being thrown into police. The latter responded by tens of stun grenades and smoke bombs with tear-gas". DW, Kommersant

23 April, Monday:

2. SOME OPPOSITION MEMBERS ARE DETAINED FOR A SEVERAL DAYS. Head of the staff of the United Front for Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Omurbek Subanaliyev was detained at the Committee of National Security without formal charge on 23 April after a six-hour-long interrogation. Another activist of the front, Omurbek Abdrakmanov, was detained the same day the same way, and Adilet Aitikeev, one of the leaders of Kanjar, a youth wing of the front, was detained earlier. Leader of the front Feliks Kulov and other representatives of the opposition and non-governmental organizations were also interrogated on 21 April, but none of them were detained. The Prosecutor General Office gave a sanction to arrest the three on 26 April and they were charged with the clause 233 of the Criminal Code - organizing of public disturbances, however, all of them were released on 27 April on guaranties of deputies of parliament and the prime minister personally after signing letters that they would not leave Bishkek. 24.kg, RIA Novosti, Kommersant

3. MINISTERS DO NOT OBEY THE PRIME MINISTER. Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev told journalists on 23 April he met the same day with Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev and asked him not to persecute the opposition and not consider the dispersal of the rally on 19 April as a victory and the premier promised there would be no repressions in the country. Chairman of the presidential commission on human rights Tursunbek Akun also said on 23 April he met the premier on the same issue, however, Akun said on 24 April that the ministers did not obey the prime minister. Director of the Citizens against Corruption non-governmental organization Tolekan Ismailova said on 24 April President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is behind the current political persecutions and Atambayev is not able taking decisions. The same day, the Committee of National Security stated all actions of the law enforcement bodies were lawful and accusations of political persecutions were groundless. Akun met with the detainees in the pre-trial facility of the committee on 26 April and said after it the investigators were ready to release Aitikeev if they detain leader of the Kanjar youth movement Jalyn Mamatkaziyev. Kabar, 24.kg

24 April, Tuesday:

4. PRESIDENT DID NOT RECALL A NEW CONSTITUTION DRAFT FROM PARLIAMENT. Department head in the presidential administration Bektur Zulpiyev said on 24 April President Kurmanbek Bakiyev did no recall the law draft on amendments to the constitution presented the parliament on 10 April. Chairman of the parliamentary committee on legislation Iskhak Masaliyev said the same day the draft was sent the Constitutional Court for expertise. According to Zulpiyev, the authorities would not meddle in the process of considering the draft in the Constitutional Court.

Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said on 19 April he agreed with the opposition to recall the law draft to prepare a new joint draft, which would take into consideration suggestion by the movement 'For Reforms!' Before it, sources of the 24.kg Agency in the parliament said on 16 April the president recalled the draft to amend it itself, because according to the procedures, it could not be changed being considered in the parliament. Deputy Askar Salymbekov said on 17 April he and several other parliamentarians convinced Bakiyev on 16 April to amend the draft. Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev said on 16 April he and some other parliamentarians suggested the working group led by Atambayev, which worked out the draft, some changes to it and more than 20 parliamentarians began on 16 April working over a joint draft together with the working group.

25 April, Wednesday:

5. NEW PROTEST RALLIES ARE ORGANIZED IN BISHKEK. Several non-governmental organizations held protest rallies in Bishkek on 25-26 April with demands to release detained opposition representatives. There were about 30 people, including relatives of the detainees, taking part in the rally on the first day and the number increased to about 100 on 26 April. The rallies began in front of the National Security Committee building and then moved to the government building. Police tried isolating the rallies first, however, the crowd broke through the cordons. Chairman of the presidential commission on human rights Tursunbek Akun promised the rally on 25 April the three detainees would be released. According to Chairwoman of the Kylym Shamy non-governmental organization Aziza Abdirasulova, Adilet Aitikeev was detained accidentally only.

Similar rallies with the same demands began in the Talas Province, home region of Omurbek Subanaliyev, on 24 April and were continued the following days. Their participants sent a letter to the Kyrgyz leaders demanding to release Subanaliyev. 24.kg, DW

26 April, Thursday:

6. KAZAKH PRESIDENT VISITS BISHKEK. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Bishkek on 25-26 April, he and his Kyrgyz counterpart Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed a joint statement on 26 April. Bakiyev said Kyrgyzstan was and is a sincere and consistent ally of Kazakhstan. Nazarbayev answered his visit was a sign of their principal support to sovereign Kyrgyzstan and its people. Several documents including an agreement on recognition of visas of the third countries in the border areas between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan were signed during the visit on 26 April. Nazarbayev said he met the main Kazakh businesspersons before the visit and they are ready investing into the Kyrgyz economy, but stability is needed for it. According to the Kazakh president, he worries for the Kyrgyz as for Kazakhs, and Kazakhstan is ready giving Kyrgyzstan $100 million if there are guaranties for its repayment. Nazarbayev also met with Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament Marat Sultanov and a group of deputies. On 25-26 April, a Kyrgyz-Kazakh round table on agriculture was held near Bishkek and 48 agreements were signed at it. An economic forum with participation of prime ministers of the two states is planned to be held in May. Kabar, 24.kg

7. UNIONS IN CENTRAL ASIA ARE CREATED, RENAMED, RECREATED. Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev supported fully at a meeting in Bishkek on 26 April with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev an idea by the latter to set up a Central Asian union. The two sides took a decision to form the Supreme Inter-State Council and the Council of Foreign Ministers of the two countries at the meeting. Some observers called it the grandiose agreements, others said there were already attempts to form unions in Central Asia in the last 15 years and all of them failed.

The first Central Asian Union was formed by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan early in 1994, and Kyrgyzstan joined it in April of the same year. Tajikistan joined the organization in March 1998 and it was renamed as the Central Asian Economic Commonwealth and then as the Central Asian Cooperation. Russia also became a member of the organization in October 2004 and in a year after it, the union was dissolved in favor of the Eurasian Economic Community.

The latter was formed in October 2000 based on the CIS Customs Union set up in 1994. Until recently, Russia tried forming a new customs union with participation of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Nazarbayev tried reforming the CIS turning it into a union were the taken decision would be compulsory ones, however, his initiatives were not supported at the last CIS summit in Minsk on 28 November 2006. After it, Nazarbayev tries setting up a union in Central Asia. Kabar, 24.kg, RIA Novosti

8. UNITED FRONT WAS READY FOR DIFFICULTIES. The Committee of National Security showed journalists in Bishkek on 26 April flak jackets, gas masks and mini thermos bottles with alcohol they seized in the offices of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan and the Ata-Meken Party, as was said. According to Investigator Altynbek Kaparov, they also seized flagpoles, which could have been used as spears, and posters, which could be used as shields, as well as white caps. Ata-Meken rejected the accusation on 27 April saying no search was held in its office and the police seized only a hard disk in their computer. However, leader of the United Front Feliks Kulov admitted on 27 April they stored flack jackets in the office just in case because the situation on the streets was dangerous. Kabar, 24.kg

27 April, Friday:

9. PRESIDENT AGREES HOLDING EARLY ELECTIONS - KULOV. Leader of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Feliks Kulov told journalists in Bishkek before being interrogated at the Committee of National Security on 27 April that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev gave his prior consent to hold early presidential election and to leave his post in 1,5 to 2 years. So, the demands of the front are met, however, according to Kulov, Bakiyev can change his mind any time and that was why Kulov rejects any compromise with Bakiyev until the latter admits his mistakes and recants publicly. Kulov also said the authorities provoked the rally dispersal in Bishkek on 19 April using people who were invited from the southern regions, according to him, the Committee of National Security acts primitively and roughly and names the leaders of the front as criminals. Kulov also said he would be acquitted by court if is detained and it would be the end of the political career of Bakiyev, however, Kulov was ready to be detained if the authorities release the three already detained in return. 24.kg

10. NAZARVAYEV'S VISIT WAS CUT SHORT. President of the Association of Oil Traders of Kyrgyzstan Bazarbai Mambetov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club on 27 April that the Kyrgyz and Kazakh sides could not reach agreement on a key issue of cooperation in using water resources during the visit by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev to Bishkek on 26 April. According to Mambetov, the Kazakh side keeps the old Soviet rules in the water issues for 17 years already and Kyrgyzstan, providing Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan by water, does not receive compensation for maintenance of its water reservoirs. Uzbekistan even does not want buying electricity connected with the water flow from the reservoirs. The same time, both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan interrupt providing Kyrgyzstan with natural gas, oil, coal and other recourses. In addition to it, Kazakhstan puts pressure on Kyrgyzstan buying its electricity for 1 to 1.5 cents per kWt-hour, while the price in Kazakhstan itself is 3 to 5 cents and Astana always makes difficulties for the Kyrgyz side in the issues such as transit of goods, rail road tariffs, check points on the border and the situation with labor migrants. Vice Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament Erkinbek Alymbekov said on 25 April the visit was cut short on a request by the Kazakh side. BPC

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 22 - 28 APRIL 2007:

11. On 23 April, Feliks Kulov stated from Baitik, a village near Bishkek, that the authorities permit themselves even the things, which previous President Askar Akayev did not persecution of dissidents, suppression of press freedom, intimidation of opponents, so such a regime has no right to exist and event the support from the foreign countries would not help Bakiyev. According to him, some his supporters want becoming Islamic shahids and he holds them from actions, however, the peaceful actions of the opposition would continue. 24.kg, BPC

12. On 23 April, Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev told journalists in Bishkek about the events of 19 April that the authorities are now in euphoria of defeating their own people, however, they proved they can stop the protest actions by force only and lost all their political and moral resources. The opposition would use protest rallies in the future because it is a single way to influence the incumbent power. 24.kg

13. On 23 April, Russian "Kommersant" reported the Kyrgyz opposition believes the current calm situation is a lull only before new protests and the standoff between the south and north could end in bloodshed. Some observers says the dispersal of the opposition rallies is not the end but beginning of the conflict. Kommersant

14. On 23 April, Arkady Dubnov wrote in Moscow-based "Vremya Novostei" that the most dangerous thing for Kyrgyzstan is now that representatives of the south could consider they defeated the north. The main difference between the recent rallies and the ones held in 2005 us that Bishkek residents did not take part in the last rallies. VN

15. On 23 April, the center Citizens against Corruption and other non-governmental organizations stated it is necessary to establish real social compact in the society, otherwise the defeated side would seek for revenge and the new actions could more dangerous. Kabar, 24.kg

16. On 23 April, it became known that the Committee of National Security confiscated all the video materials from the all TV channels of the country, which covered the recent protest rallies of the opposition in Bishkek, to determine those responsible for the disturbances in Bishkek on 19 April. Kabar. 24.kg

17. On 23 April, Valentin Bogatyryov said in an interview with the AKIpress Agency there would be change of political picture of the country soon - both the authorities and the opposition are bankrupt and new ideas and new actors would appear - in the parliament, in the government, among the youth. AKIpress

18. On 23 April, Viktoria Panfilova wrote in Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is not likely to make further concessions to the opposition after the defeat of the latter. NG

19. On 23 April, coordinator of projects of the World Bank in Kyrgyzstan Mirlan Aldayarov said the bank gives Kyrgyzstan $15 million to improve infrastructure of new dwelling areas of Bishkek and Osh cities. 24.kg

20. On 23 April, Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir uulu said there are Kyrgyz and Russians only among privates in the Kyrgyz army while representatives of more than 80 ethnic groups live in the country. 24.kg

21. On 24 April, State secretary Adakhan Madumarov said the dispersal of the opposition rally in Bishkek on 19 April was not a victory of any side, there were neither winners nor beaten sides and detention of some opposition representatives has no political motives. Kabar

22. On 24 April, Erica Marat wrote in an article posted on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor, "The April 11-19 experience offers the opposition -- as well as other political actors in Kyrgyzstan -- a lesson that regardless of their popular approval rating, the president and government cannot be overthrown simply through mass protests. Although Bakiyev is deeply unpopular today, the opposition should learn other ways of influencing presidential power". EDM

23. On 24 April, Bakyt Beshimov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club, "Kulov is not a political figure able to mobilize people, who would be ready to go to barricades to defend him. In essence he has nothing to say to people now. He divided and weakened the opposition", and "the weakness of the United Front only consolidated the authorities". According to Beshimov, after the events of 19 April, Kulov "ended up in Baitik village and it tells everything". BPC

24. On 24 April, Arkady Dubnov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club the authorities and opposition of Kyrgyzstan should agree on ground principles of the politics in the country and not use the rhetoric about division of the country, otherwise the rhetoric could be realized in the deeds. BPC

25. On 24 April, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Luis Arbour said at a meeting with Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev in Bishkek that her office would open its Central Asian regional office in Bishkek. According to her, economic and social rights of Kyrgyz citizens should be protected in the country, not only the political ones. Bakiyev assured her that all the human rights issued would be developed in Kyrgyzstan in progressive way. He also said rights of ordinary residents of Bishkek were abused during the last opposition rallies because the central streets of the city were closed. Arbour met also with the parliamentary speaker, the minister foreign affairs and other officials and left Kyrgyzstan for Tajikistan on 25 April. Kabar, 24.kg

26. On 24 April, the regular edition of the "Agym" newspaper was not issued - its owners continued consultations with lawyers and other experts the situations. The Committee of National Security arrested its print run on 20 April, just after the dispersal of the opposition rally in Bishkek. The other newspaper, "Kyrgyz Rukhu", which also was arrested on 20 April, begins being issued. 24.kg

27. On 24 April, it was announced that the governmental newspaper "Erkin Too" would be also the parliamentarian one too. 24.kg

28. On 24 April, early in the morning, Judge of the Kemin District Court Muktarbek Alymkulov ruled in Kemin to bar Bermet Akayeva from the by-election to the parliament from the Kemin constituency. The two her contenders, Cholpon Osmonova and Toichubek Kadyraliyev, sued her accusing of bribing the voters and of not living permanently in Kyrgyzstan for the last two years. The court session began in the morning of 23 April and ended after midnight, however, according to the Kabar Agency, supporters of Akayeva tore the verdict to pieces and the court chairman Usenbek Sarymsakov announced in the morning of 24 April Akayeva could participate in the election but admitted later he made the announcement under pressure from her side. According to him, supporters of Akayeva kept him, as well as the head of the district police and the district prosecutor hostage the whole night demanding to cancel the ruling. The Supreme Court of Kyrgyzstan upheld the ruling on 27 April. Local police in Kemin interrogated Akayeva on 28 April about the events during the night from 23 to 24 April. The by-election to the vacant seat in the parliament is held on 29 April. Kabar, 24.kg, Kommersant

29. On 25 April, Director of the Moscow-based Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations Oleg Panfilov wrote in an article published in the Oasis internet-magazine that as prominent Russian Journalist Akram Murtazayev said electors are temporary nation, so there are in Kyrgyzstan now temporary politicians, temporary rallies, temporary protests, not only temporary people. The main problem is, Panfilov says, there is no political tradition in Kyrgyzstan and it is necessary to bring up new generation of young politicians who would understand that bringing people in the streets is not most important thing, the important problems begin after it. Oasis

30. On 25 April, members of the Liberal Platform, a union of public organizations and individuals, appealed to President Kurmanbek Bakiyev asking to stop persecution of political opponents saying it could lead to deeper division in the society and new public protests. 24.kg

31. On 25 April, Emil Aliyev, deputy to Feliks Kulov in the party Ar-Namys, said the Committee of National Security had already interrogated more than 100 members of the party. Director of the Center Citizens against Corruption Tolekan Ismailova said the same day 52 people were interrogated so far. 24.kg

32. On 25 April, Kyrgyz Minister of Culture Sultan Rayev was elected chairman of the Council of Minister of Culture of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization at their meeting in Dushanbe. Kabar, 24.kg

33. On 26 April, Director of the Center Citizens against Corruption Tolekan Ismailova said the Committee of National Security detained some oppositionists to scare others and the human rights activists would ask for asylum for Kyrgyz opposition leaders if the detainees were not release. 24.kg

34. On 26 April, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan said in an interview with the State Kyrgyz Agency Kabar that all the political forces of Kyrgyzstan should sit at the table to negotiate and all the society must respect the power, which tries bring order in the country by democratic and legal measures, otherwise, the situation could develop as in Afghanistan - disturbances, anarchy, extremism, terrorism, narcotraffic. Kabar

35. On 26 April, Erica Marat wrote in an article posted on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor that by arresting Omurbek Suvanaliyev, Omurbek Abdrakhmanov and Adilet Aitikeyev, the government was trying to prevent further mass mobilizations similar to those organized during April 11-19 and served as a warning sign for other young leaders who joined the ranks of the United Front and For Reforms, Kyrgyzstan's major opposition blocs. EDM

36. On 26 April, the Public Foundation For Tolerance International recommended the authorities to establish close contacts with the security service of the United Front For decent Future of Kyrgyzstan to keep order in the country if the opposition protests resume. It also recommended the opposition not to leave its members without leadership during the rallies, not to use rhetoric connected with the standoff between the southern and northern regions and not to use violence against detained provocateurs. Tazar

37. On 26 April, former secretary of the Security council Miroslav Niyazov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club the whole current political live in Kyrgyzstan is absurd, because nobody was punished for the Aksy shooting, nobody was accountable for framing Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev last September, nobody took responsibility for stealing $72 million from the Jalal-Abad office of the National Bank, but everybody wants changing the constitution. BPC

38. On 26 April, Minister of Justice Marat Kaiypov said neither the United Front For decent Future of Kyrgyzstan with its youth wings Kanjar and Jebe nor the Movement For Reforms were registered with the ministry as political organizations, so their actions were and are illegal. Kabar, 24.kg

39. On 26 April, the parliament rejected on the second reading the law draft on amendments to the Criminal Code, prepared by the Ministry of Justice and which would have abolished criminal persecution for polygamy. Minister Marat Kaiypov said the same day that Kyrgyzstan is a single country in the regions which punished its citizens for polygamy. 24.kg

40. On 26 April, human rights defenders condemned the Ministry of Justice, which prepares new legislation to restrict rights of citizens to organize rallies and demonstrations. Minister Marat Kaiypov said the same day the new law would regulate protest action to bring them in line with international laws. Kabar, 24.kg

41. On 26 April, Minister of Justice Marat Kaiypov gave journalists in Bishkek explanations about the package of laws passed in the parliament the same day. According to him, it is aimed at humanization of the Criminal Code and the institute of juries would be introduced in Kyrgyzstan, sentences of more than 160 people sentenced to death would be revised, more than 200 clauses of the Criminal Code would be softened, citizens would not be punished for killing criminals while defending themselves, and sanctions for arrest would be now issued by courts, not prosecutors. Kabar, 24.kg

42. On 26 April, President of the Kyrgyz National Academy of Sciences Janybek Jeenbayev died at 76. Kabar, 24.kg

43. On 27 April, the Movement For Reforms! stated it never urged either for forcible change of power or seizure of administrative buildings and the authorities themselves organize repression and persecution of political opponents instead of protecting the citizens. 24.kg

44. On 27 April, head of the Bishkek City Police Department Moldomusa Kongantiev said officials of the Committee of National Security detained Policeman Talant Tabyldy uulu for interrogation without any explanations on 26 April, while he was on duty on the central square of Bishkek. On 25 April, the committee officials invited police lieutenant Nurlan Kojobayev for interrogation and he did not return after it. 24.kg

45. On 27 April, the state-owned company Electric Station said it would set up a joint venture with Inter RAO EES of Russia and KazKuat of Kazakhstan to prepare a feasibility study to complete construction of the two Kambar-Ata hydro power stations. Kabar. 24.kg

46. On 27 April, Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev told the parliamentary session the Inter-District Court of Bishkek ruled on 25 April to arrest all property of the Kristall plant of polycrystal silicon in Tash-Komur in favor of the company of Ester Holding Corp. of Kazakhstan in violation of the Kyrgyz president's special order and the resolution of the Kyrgyz parliament. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said on 28 April the plant would be nationalized. Kabar. 24.kg

47. On 27 April, presentation of the Absamat Masaliyev Public Fund was held in Bishkek. He served as the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Kyrgyz Communist Party from November 1985 till April 1991 and was a member of parliament mist recently. He died from a stroke on 1 August 2004 at 71. 24.kg

48. On 27 April, "The Moscow News" reported about the waste site near the Kyrgyz town of Mailuu-Suu, where thousands of people digging for nickel parts of electric bulbs and dumps killed 27 people already. MN

49. On 27 April, the Party Ak-Shumkar and the movement For Reforms! held in Bishkek the round table discussion entitled Lessons of April. Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev said at it there would be no mass protests in the country if the authorities resolve all the problems in time. Leader of the foundation For Tolerance International Raya Kadyrova said the opposition was isolated from the ordinary people during the last rallies - its leaders must be together with the protesters round a clock, instead, they spoiled their relations with almost all media outlets, they did not organize anything in the southern regions. State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov said at it, 200 to 300 people only make politics in Kyrgyzstan now - all the members of the government and the parliament and plus some key members of the presidential administration. 24.kg, BPC

50. Appointments and dismissals: On 27 April, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev reappointed Adamjan Joldoshev director of the State Agency on Real Estate Registration. Kabar

Naryn AIYP.

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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 15-21 Apr 2007

2007-04-22T19:28:26Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 15 - 21 APRIL 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. The country was border-lined to a civil war - Kulov.
2. A new constitution draft is recalled from the parliament.
3. Parliamentarians threaten with self-dissolution of the parliament.
4. Opposition is accused of law breaching.
5. Opposition rally is dispersed by force.
6. People are shot down in Bishkek now in front of the Supreme Court.
7. Rallies in Bishkek are stopped.
8. Again, 'the white cap bearers' organized the provocation.
9. Opposition leaders are interrogated, some newspapers are closed.
10. Also in the week of 15 - 21 April 2007…

15 April, Sunday:

1. THE COUNTRY WAS BORDER-LINED TO A CIVIL WAR - KULOV. Leader of the United Front 'For Decent future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov told journalists in Bishkek on 15 April that his front and the Movement 'For Reforms!' changed their aims and demand now an immediate resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev too. According to Kulov, the opposition wanted holding peaceful actions only but the president and his stooges organized provocations, and as a result, the country was on the verge of a civil war on 14 April. Kulov also appealed via Russian TV channels to the state officials of Kyrgyzstan urging them not implementing 'criminal' orders by 'the family of Bakiyev'. He said the authorities plan arresting the opposition leaders and would even try to give short shrift to them, so, the opposition has to force the president resigning next week. According to Kulov, such a person, who divides a single nation, must not lead the state. Kulov also added there were people among the opposition who provided Janysh Bakiyev, the brother of the president, with information about he opposition activity.

Several incidents were provoked during a march of the protesters along the Bishkek streets on 14 April, 12 people were injured, five were hospitalized, because, according to Kulov, the authorities brought 'criminal elements' from the southern regions. Prime Minister Almaz Atambaev admitted on 16 April that some 'complaisant fools' advised bringing people from the south; however, he said it is a raving saying that authorities prepare to use force against the opposition and bring rogues. Bektemir Akunov, 53, who took part in the protest hunger strike in Bishkek on 5-10 April, was found hanged at a pretrial facility in the town of Naryn in the morning of 14 April, where he was detained by police after returning from Bishkek. RIA Novosti, AKIpress, 24.kg, DW, VN, Eurasianet

16 April, Monday:

2. A NEW CONSTITUTION DRAFT IS RECALLED FROM THE PARLIAMENT. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev recalled on 16 April the law draft on amendments to the constitution, presented the parliament on 10 April, to amend it itself. According to the procedures, it could not be changed being considered in the parliament. Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev said the same day he and some other parliamentarians suggested the working group led by Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev, which worked out the draft, some changes to it. More than 20 parliamentarians began on 16 April working over a joint draft together with the working group. Atambayev said on 19 April, the law draft was recalled after consultations with parliamentarians Kubatbek Baibolov and Temir Sariyev. Deputy Askar Salymbekov said on 17 April he and several other parliamentarians convinced Bakiyev on 16 April to amend the draft.

About 2,000 supporters of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' and the movement 'For Reforms!' began a rally in front of the parliament building in Bishkek on 16 April demanding to speed up the constitutional reform. The parliament postponed that day until 19 April considering nominations to the Constitutional Court, which is not able expertizing the constitution amendments because has no quorum. Instead, the parliament invited Minister of Internal Affairs Bolotbek Nogoibayev and began on 16 April considering the current situation in the country. Deputy Kamchybek Tashiyev said on 17 April that about 30 parliamentarians would not take part in the discussion on constitutional reforms until the protests of the opposition stop. Front Leader Feliks Kulov stated on 15 April the authorities would try postponing the reforms using some pro-presidential parliamentarians. 24.kg, Kabar, BPC, AKIpress, Tazar, DW, RIA Novosti

17 April, Tuesday:

3. PARLIAMENTARIANS THREATEN WITH SELF-DISSOLUTION OF THE PARLIAMENT. Deputies of Parliament Bolot Sherniyazov, Melis Eshimkanov and Omurbek Babanov stated on 17 April they were ready to initiate self-dissolution of the parliament to speed up the constitutional reform because the pro-presidential parliamentarians block adopting a new constitution. More than two-thirds of nominal number of parliamentarians (50 out of 75) should support the initiative and Eshimkanov said 20 people already supported the idea. Earlier the same day 30 parliamentarians rejected discussing amendments to the constitution saying they should not consider the constitution under the street pressure. Speaker Marat Sultanov said the parliament would consider the constitution in a calm situation only. RIA Novosti, Interfax, AKIpress, 24.kg

18 April, Wednesday:

4. OPPOSITION IS ACCUSED OF LAW BREACHING. The Ministry of Internal Affairs informed on 18 April three criminal cases were filed concerning the incidents happened during the opposition demonstration on 14 April and one of them is about the arbitrariness of the opposition, representatives of which detained so called provocateurs and beat them while interrogating. Chairman of the Erkindik Party Topchubek Turgunaliev said the same day the opposition leaders must be punished for committing mob low. Deputy Sanjarbek Kadyraliyev presented the parliamentary session on 17 April a footage, which showed the detainees were beaten in attendance of the four parliamentarians and they did not prevent it. Deputy Kubatbek Baibolov said the footage was arranged in a way to provoke inter-regional hatred, Deputy Temir Sariyev said on 19 April, the footage was cut at the Fifth Channel.

Supporters of the opposition marched along the central streets of Bishkek on 18 April demanding reforms and unbiased coverage of the events via the National TV. They held a rally in front of the National University building urging the students to join them. About 500 people blocked the highway connecting Bishkek with Lake Issyk-Kul the same day demanding resignation of both the president and the governor of the Issyk-Kul Province. Russian "Kommersant" reported the same day Kulov makes his best to exacerbate the street struggle and rejects any possibility of negotiations with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and he even set the date of resignation of the latter - April the 19th. RIA Novosti, BPC, Itar-Tass, Kabar. 24.kg, AKIpress, Kommersant, NG

19 April, Thursday:

5. OPPOSITION RALLY IS DISPERSED BY FORCE. A mass rally of the opposition, which demanded immediate constitutional reform and early presidential election began on 19 April in the morning in front of the parliament building, and the protesters tried blocking the entries of the building. Then the crowd moved to the building of the government, where provocateurs stoned the police and guards. Then the organizer decided to march to the Polytechnic University, however, some part of the crowd did not obey and left near the government building. When some people among them tried storming the building, police began dispersing the crowd using tear gas and stun grenades. In an hour, the central square was cleansed and deserted, then the yourts and tents were dismantled and removed from the square. About 4,000 policemen and soldiers of the Internal Ministry took part in the action and Minister Bolotbek Nogoibayev himself led them. The crowd beat windows of the parked cars and neighboring buildings while leaving the central square. Fourteen people were injured, six of them hospitalized, 35 people were detained.

Nogoibayev accused the opposition of what happened saying their leaders were unable to control their supporters and announced the Prosecutor General Office filed criminal investigation into the case. Leader of the United Front (UF) 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov told journalists late in the evening the authorities were responsible for using provocateurs and mentioned there were no provocations during the two years when he was the prime minister. Kulov said at the Civic Forum in Bishkek on 26 March that the opposition would prevent any provocations during the power transfer and if somebody wants to repeat what happened on 24 March 205, the UF would crush them down. However, UF Activist Omurbek Abdrakmanov said just before the police action the opposition leadership disavowed its responsibility because the crowd did not obey them.

Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev held urgent meeting of the government at midnight and then told journalists on the square that the opposition was responsible for the provocation, because their leaders and Kulov personally announced there would be power transfer on 19 April, brought young people to the government building and then hided themselves. Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov also held an urgent meeting during the night with leaders of the factions, then parliamentarians Temir Sariyev, Kanybek Imanaliyev and Bolotbek Sherniyazov came to the square and met with Atambayev. AKIpress, RIA Novosti, Kommersant, Rosbalt, Interfax, DW, VN

6. PEOPLE ARE SHOT DOWN IN BISHKEK NOW IN FRONT OF THE SUPREME COURT. Mirlan Konoyev, 25, was shot to dead in Bishkek in front of the Supreme Court building on 19 April. He was invited to a session connected with the killing of the directorate head in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Chynybek Aliyev, on 5 May 2004. Supporters of the main defendant, Erkin Mambetaliyev, held a protest picket in front of the building, saying the case was forged. The court sent the case back for re-investigation, and when Konoyev went out of the building, the two young men shot him down. One of them - Edilbek Begartov - was detained on the site, Konoyev died in hospital the same day.

Mambetaliev and Konoyev, as well as the brother of the latter, Nurlan Konoyev, were accused of taking part in a criminal group led by Ryspek Akmatbayev. All of them were tried being charged with conducting three murders, including the killing of Aliyev, however, the Pervomai District Court of Bishkek acquitted them on 24 January 2006, and the band members began being killed after it. Damir Seyitbekov was shot down on 28 February 2006 in Kazakhstan, Adis Kulmanbetov was killed in Bishkek on 1 March, former Police Colonel Murat Jumagulov, also being accused, was shot in Bishkek on 10 March, then Akmatbayev himself was killed near Bishkek on 10 May, after it, Nurlan Konoyev, who was a nephew of Akmatbayev and replaced him in the group, was killed on 10 August, and Mukhtar Andabekov died in a car crash in January 2007. Mambetaliyev is also accused of taking part in killing Deputy of Parliament Jyrgalbek Surabaldiyev in Bishkek on 10 June 2005. RIA Novosti, AKIpress, 24.kg

20 April, Friday:

7. RALLIES IN BISHKEK ARE STOPPED. Co-Chairman of the Movement 'For Reforms!' Deputy of Parliament Kubatbek Baibolov announced in Bishkek on 20 April the movement suspends protest rallies. According to him, the movement was for reforms only and the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' had more radical demands from the beginning. Deputy Omurbek Tekebayev confirmed the rallies are stopped, however, he said the demands for immediate constitutional reforms are in effect still. According to him, the union between the movement and the front was temporary one only. Minister of Internal Affairs Bolotbek Nogoibayev told journalists the same day almost the entire rally participants, who came to Bishkek from the regions, had already left the city. The minister reported on the current situation to the parliament the same day and the parliament passed a resolution asking the Prosecutor General Office to investigate into the disturbances happened in Bishkek on 19 April and obliged organizers of the rallies to compensate damages. RIA Novosti, AKIpress, Kommersant

21 April, Saturday:

8. AGAIN, 'THE WHITE CAP BEARERS' ORGANIZED THE PROVOCATION. Russian "Kommersant" reported on 21 April that Leader of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov came to the protest rally held in the center of Bishkek on 19 April and told his supporters there would be no storm of the government building and if somebody urges to storm, he is a provocateur. After it, Deputies of Parliament Melis Eshimkanov and Temir Sariyev led the crowd to march along the Chui Prospect, however, some people left near the government building. "Then, nearly 100 people in white caps suddenly appeared on the square. No one had seen these people during the nine days when the opposition held its protest rallies. The strangers quickly mixed with the crowd, after which stones and sticks began being thrown into police. The latter responded by tens of stun grenades and smoke bombs with 'Cheremukha' ('Bird-cherry') tear-gas".

Eshimkanov and Sariyev tried to calm the crowd and appealed to the Interior Minister Bolotbek Nogoibayev, saying they would remove the people from the square if he stops police, but police continued cleansing the streets. Afterwards, policemen talked about their success and it was clear they were invited from the southern regions, the newspaper concluded. On 24 March 2005, when the crowd stormed the government building in Bishkek toppling the Askar Akayev's regime, also young people bearing white caps, provoked the storm, stoning the crowd. Kommersant

9. OPPOSITION LEADERS ARE INTERROGATED, SOME NEWSPAPERS ARE CLOSED. Leader of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov was interrogated at the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) on 21 April as a witness in the case on the public disturbances happened in Bishkek on 19 April. He told journalists after a four-hour interrogation that the United Front had nothing to do with the disturbances and shifted the blame on the authorities saying the events were a provocation on their part. According to him, his questioning focused on funding of his organization but he had no intention of answering such questions because the front is not a criminal organization. Kulov said the main objective of the opposition is now to prevent a split between the north and south of the country, "People say the Bakiyev regime has divided the country into the North and South, and I am trying to persuade people that such confrontation should not be allowed to happen". He also called Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev a politician with a constant inferiority complex.

Kulov and the chief of his staff Omurbek Subanaliyev as well as other members of the United Front, who have no deputy immunity, were summoned for interrogations on 20 April; however, none of the leaders came that day. Kulov was ready to go, but residents of the Baitik Village, where he left after the 19 April events, did not allow police to take him. The SCNS and the Interior Ministry formed joint investigation teams. Prosecutor General Elmurza Satybaldiyev said the organizers of the disturbances could be sentenced to terms from 3 to 7 years. Prosecutors also arrested print runs of the newspapers "Agym", "Apta" and "Kyrgyz Rukhu" in the morning of 20 April and conducted searches in the offices of United Front and the Ar-Namys party, led by Kulov. RIA Novosti, Kommersant, AKIpress, Interfax, Eurasianet

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 15 - 21 APRIL 2007:

10. On 15 April, Leader of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov stated the opposition would not demand for dissolution of the parliament any more because begins demanding the President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to resign. According to him, there should be a legal power branch to remain in the country. AKIpress, 24.kg

11. On 15 April, Deputy Director of the Center to Study the Post Soviet Republics at the Moscow Lomonosov University Aleksei Vlasov said the Kyrgyz opposition would fail sending President Kurmanbek Bakiyev in resignation because there is enough strong foreign support to the Kyrgyz authorities amid the other factors. RIA Novosti

12. On 15 April, American Journalist Daniel Sershen said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' demands the president's resignation every day, however, the opposition itself becomes weaker day after day. The rallies and changes into constitution should be the last resort in the political struggle and the opposition makes a bad advertisement for Kyrgyzstan by demanding for them. BPC

13. On 15 April, the Russian State TV, the Rossiya Channel, showed the French documentary Revolution.Com with deletions - the name of its author Manon Loirseu as well as the final part of the film (about Russia) were cut and the documentary (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3129915544336653808) about the youth of Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia and Ukraine, who struggled for democracy and received help from the USA, turned by the channel into a film about how to conduct color revolutions. The Rossiya Channel rejected on 20 April the accusations of censorship by the French side. RFE/RL, RIA Novosti, Telegraf

14. On 16 April, Edil Baisalov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club the democratic opposition in Kyrgyzstan is not monopolized by the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' and the 'For Reforms!' Movement. According to him, their rigidity demands are not understandable and could lead to deadlock only. BPC

15. On 16 April, Valentin Bogatyryov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club the recent statements by Deputies Temir Sariyev and Kubatbek Baibolov showed there could be a compromise between the opposition and the authorities. However, if the opposition began cooperating with new Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev earlier, they would have received more. BPC

16. On 16 April, Russian "Kommersant" reported the last case when participants of the protest rallies were detained by police in Kyrgyzstan was registered on 23 March 2005, a day before President Askar Akayev was toppled. Kommersant

17. On 16 April, Councilor to the President, prominent Film Director Bolot Shamshiyev said participants of the protest rallies in Bishkek are paid. According to him, each person receives not less than 750 soms ($19) a day and about $1,000 if he or she delivers a speech at the rally. Kabar

18. On 16 April, former Chairman of the National Security Service Kalyk Imankulov announced he joins the opposition. According to him, the authorities chose bandit methods of struggle, they use criminal elements and allow contract killings. 24.kg, BPC, VN, Delo Nomer…

19. On 16 April, Deutsche Welle reported the Kyrgyz leadership is ready using force against the opposition, the Interior Ministry and the Committee for National Security (CNS) bring in Bishkek people who are ready organizing provocations and the brother of the president, Janysh Bakiyev, former deputy chairman of the CNS, heads such actions. DW

20. On 16 April, "Expert-Kazakhstan" wrote in its editorial there is no power in Kyrgyzstan now because officials responsible for management are engaged in political activity, and the opposition also fights for anarchy, for opportunity to live in a country without power. As long such a situation without power continues, people began preferring 100 years of tyranny to a day of anarchy. Expert-Kazakhstan

21. On 16 April, directorate head in the Ministry of Internal Affairs Melis Turganbayev said long wanted killer Kuban Jodoshev, 36, was killed during a special operation in Bishkek in the night to 16 April. He was responsible for seven killings included the death of prominent sportsman Raatbek Sanatbayev in Bishkek on 8 January 2006. However, Senior Lieutenant Erlan Iskenderov, 31, was also killed during the operation. 24.kg, Delo Nomer…

22. On 16-18 April, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan Feigenbaum visited Kyrgyzstan, he met with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ednan Karabayev, representative of the opposition, Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev and delivered a lecture at the Kyrgyz National University. He said during the visit the USA gave Kyrgyzstan about $1,000-million-worth grants during the independence years and activity of the US military base near Bishkek is in interests of the whole international community including Kyrgyzstan itself. According to him, Washington does not plan mediating between the authorities of the country and the opposition. 24.kg, Kabar

23. On 16-18 April, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev visited Astana where he said at a meeting of the Inter-State Council of the Eurasian Economic Community on 18 April that there is improvement in the socio-economic situation in Kyrgyzstan in spite of a difficult situation. Atambayev also had meetings with Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov and Defense Minister Daniyal Akhmetov. 24.kg, Mir, MN, Itar-Tass

24. On 17 April, Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" wrote in its editorial that struggle between President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov of Kyrgyzstan began due to their eyes on the Jerooy gold deposit and the confrontation would last until some of them falls. According to the paper, Russia should not be indifferent to the Kyrgyz events, however, no Russian official comes to Bishkek these days while the US officials visit the country, consulting the opposition. NG

25. On 17 April, Viktoria Panfilova reported in Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" that US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan Feigenbaum started his visit to Kyrgyzstan, the third in the last six months, and every time he comes to Kyrgyzstan, his visits coincided with the opposition rallies. However, Feigenbaum makes it clear that Washington has nothing to do with the rallies and "even wants stability for Kyrgyzstan". NG

26. On 17 April, Mikhail Zygar reported in Russian "Kommersant" that according to reports of the Russian TV channels, the whole world is against the USA and the extreme anti-Americanism takes place in Kyrgyzstan - the US soldiers kill Kyrgyz citizens, the US planes ram the plane of the Kyrgyz president and the Kyrgyz people connect their bright future with Russia only and the current problems - with the US. Kommersant

27. On 17 April, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said in an interview with Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" that Kyrgyzstan would have soon the most progressive constitution among the former Soviet republics if not to count the Baltic States. According to him, there is instability in Kyrgyzstan now, but it is instability of a mountainous river, of the clear water, and the neigboring countries have a stability of a not-blasted yet mine. NG

28. On 17 April, Mytktybek Abdyldayev, who resigned from the post of the head of the presidential administration on 13 April, said in an interview with the Agency 24.kg that it was difficult to conduct economic reforms and strengthen democratic principles in the country when the government and the presidential administration implemented orders designed outside of the government building. 24.kg

29. On 17 April, Beknazar Urumov, organizer of the protest hunger strikes in Bishkek on 5-12 April, said about 100 people took part in it and the action was not initiated by the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan'. People organized the action themselves and stopped it when saw the authorities would not pay attention to it. 24.kg

30. On 17 April, Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev told journalists the main resource of Kyrgyzstan is its developed civic society. The neighboring countries have oil, gas and other mineral resources and Kyrgyzstan has its human resources. 24.kg

31. On 18 April, Co-Chairwoman of the 'For Reforms!' Movement Asiya Sasykbayeva said there are more than 80 ethnic groups living in friendship in Kyrgyzstan and the regional issues are the result of the political games between the high officials only. 24.kg

32. On 18 April, Sanobar Shermatova reported in Russian "Expert" that the authorities and the opposition in Kyrgyzstan have almost equal weight now and the high ambitions of some of them make impossible to reach compromise in the nearest future. Expert Online

33. On 18 April, Bektemir Akunov, found hanged in the pre-trial detention facility in Naryn on 14 April, was buried. Deputy of Parliament Karganbek Samakov, who attended the autopsy on 16 April, told the parliament on 19 April, Akunov was severely beaten by police before dying. Former Minister of Health Care Naken Kasiyev joined him and the parliament passed a resolution the same day asking the president to dismiss Governor of the Naryn Province Jyrgalbek Azylov, Mayor of Naryn Beishenaly Bogachiyev and other officials. Kabar, 24.kg

34. On 18 April, Joldosh Osmonov and Nurshat Ababakirov wrote in an article posted on the site of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, "Given the vibrant opposition’s fervor to limit the President’s power through constitutional reforms, and the President’s stubborn determination to oppose that, the Kyrgyz Constitution appears a victim of the belligerent sides". CACI Analyst

35. On 18 April, former Deputy Secretary of the Security Council General Alik Orozov, who resigned on 5 April, said in an interview with the "Delo Nomer…" weekly that he mediated between President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and then opposition leader Almaz Atambayev last November, when the opposition staged week-long protest rallies. The president asked him and he met with Atambayev on 7 November, and next day, on 8 November, a new constitution was adopted. Delo Nomer…

36. On 18 April, Erica Marat wrote in an article posted on the site of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, "Unlike current President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, his predecessor, Askar Akayev, was able to effectively deter his opposition’s demands by framing erudite answers, though also often being a populist himself. Bakiyev, on the other extreme, proved unable to address even the mainstream public with any convincing arguments. His ad hoc speeches to the public have turned into a source of mockery for their inconsistency and colloquialism". CACI Analyst

37. On 18 April, the Agency 24.kg reported Maksim Bakiyev, the son of the president, was sent down from the Russian Diplomatic Academy on 9 June 2006. Maksim said in an interview with the AKIpress Agency on 16 April he is a student still. 24.kg, AKIpress

38. On 18 April, Deutsche Welle reported a businessman from Germany is behind the activity of nickel-diggers at the waste site of the Mailuu-Suu Electric-Bulb Plant, where about 3,000 people are digging and 24 people died already. DW

39. On 19 April, Lawyer Renat Medetbekov wrote in an article posted on the site of the 24.kg Agency before the disturbances began in Bishkek that the opposition should have concentrated on some serious law breaches committed by the authorities and gave as an example how the last constitution was adopted on 30 December 2006. According to him, the president as a guarantor of the constitution should have pointed at them but did not and it could have been a case to demand for his impeachment. 24.kg

40. On 19 April, Daniel Sershen reported on the site EurasiaNet about the violence erupted in Bishkek the same day, "Whatever the cause of the confrontation, the results are clear: the opposition has lost any leverage that it had against Bakiyev in the constitutional debate". EurasiaNet

41. On 19 April, the parliament approved Svetlana Sydykova and Omurzak Mamyrov members of the Constitutional Court, which had no quorum for about a year and was not able to expertise the proposed amendments to the constitution. 24.kg

42. On 19 April, Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov said during the Moscow-Bishkek video discussion organized by the RIA Novosti Agency of Russia that the opposition rallies in Bishkek were useful in some extend, however, it was wrong that the opposition put some extreme demands. RIA Novosti

43. On 19 April, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan said at an opening ceremony of the Sixth Eurasian Media Forum in Almaty that the recent events in Kyrgyzstan showed democracy could be settled only in the stabile places. Kabar. 24.kg

44. On 19 April, a Kyrgyz-Lithuanian Business Forum was held in Bishkek, and ministers of foreign affairs Ednan Karabayev and Petras Vaitekunas signed a protocol on cooperation. Vaitekunas also had meetings with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov. Kabar, 24.kg

45. On 20 April, Daniel Sershen reported on the site Eurasianet, "Opposition leader Feliks Kulov promised that April 19 would be a decisive day in his campaign to bring early presidential elections and constitutional reform to Kyrgyzstan via street protest. The day indeed proved pivotal, but not in the way that Kulov had anticipated. Instead of ending in President Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s demise, the day’s events culminated with the incumbent chief executive in position to reassert control over the Kyrgyzstan’s political system". Eurasianet

46. On 20 April, head of the Center to Study Caucasus and Central Asia at the Moscow Lomonosov University Jibek Syzdykova said there could be more serious public disturbances in Kyrgyzstan in the future and a new revolution is still possible. RIA Novosti

47. On 20 April, Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Human Rights Tursunbek Akun told journalists in Bishkek that Leader of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov asked him on 19 April, before the disturbances began, to organize a meeting with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Akun contacted with Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev, the latter gave phone call to Bakiyev and the meeting was set to 20 April, at about noon. AKIpress

48. On 20 April, Freedom House sent a letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, urging her to contact the Kyrgyz government and convey her concern that confiscation in the morning of 20 April of the press runs of two independent Kyrgyz newspapers - "Agym" and "Kyrgyz Rukhu" - violates fundamental elements of freedom of expression and democracy. FH

49. On 20-22 April, OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut is in Kyrgyzstan. He had meetings in Bishkek with Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev, as well as ministers of foreign and internal affairs and the minister of defense on 20-21 April, and visits the southern Osh Province on 22 April.

50. Appointments and dismissals: on 16 April, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Medet Sadyrkulov chief of the presidential administration. He served as the deputy chief since July 2006, then was appointed head of the government staff on 30 March 2007, but head of the presidential administration Myktybek Abdyldayev resigned on 13 April. On 17 April, Bakiyev appointed former Vice Mayor of Bishkek Kudaibergen Bazarbayev head of the government staff instead of Sadyrkulov. On 18 April, Bakiyev appointed Toktokuchuk Mamytov secretary of the Security Council and re-appointed Ishenbai Kadyrbekov director of the State Agency for Architecture and Construction and Arstanbek Davletkeldiyev director of the State Agency for Ecology and Forestry. Kabar, PSP, 24.kg

Naryn AIYP.

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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 8-14 Apr 2007

2007-04-15T11:57:45Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 8 - 14 APRIL 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. Opposition begins protest actions in regions.
2. The government prepares changes into the constitution.
3. President addresses the nation.
4. Opposition leader addresses the Russian media.
5. No serious grounds for the United Front's demands
6. Opposition begins protest rallies in Bishkek.
7. Kulov saves face.
8. Political protests are discredited in Kyrgyzstan.
9. The rally participants march along the Bishkek streets.
10. President Bakiyev would not resign.
11. Also in the week of 8 - 14 April 2007…

9 April, Monday:

1. OPPOSITION BEGINS PROTEST ACTIONS IN REGIONS. The United Front (UF) 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' led by Feliks Kulov and the Movement 'For Reforms!' began protest rallies in four out of seven provinces of the country on 9 April demanding the early presidential election and constitutional reforms 'without Bakiyev'. In the towns of Karakol and Talas, the centers of the Issyk-Kul and Talas provinces, about 2,000 people gathered in front of the local administrations, in Naryn - about 500. The rallies began in Kara-Balta, Sokuluk, Cholpon-Ata and other towns, however, the opposition restrained from beginning rallies in the southern Batken, Jalal-Abad and Osh provinces saying the authorities prepared provocations there. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev prohibited using force against the protesters. Participants of the regional rallies began arriving in Bishkek on 10 April. Russian "Vedomosti" reported on 10 April, results of the power struggle depend on how many people would support the opposition during the rallies.

The same day, on 9 April, leadership if the two organizations held joined meeting and approved a new draft of the constitution worked out by their specialists. According to it, new presidential election should be held after a resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and a coalition government should rule the country during the transition period until the election. UF representative Azamat Kalman said the draft was presented to the authorities the same day. RIA Novosti, 24.kg, Kommersant, Gazeta

10 April, Tuesday:

2. THE GOVERNMENT PREPARES CHANGES INTO THE CONSTITUTION. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev told journalists in Bishkek on 10 April that the president signed and presented a new law draft on amendments to the constitution, prepared by the working group set up on 3 April, to the parliament. According to Atambayev, the November constitution was taken as a ground and all the suggestions by the opposition were taken into consideration. He also said the draft is balanced maximally, all the opposition demands were met and the country would have a chance getting out from the crisis because the changes after adopting the constitution would become irreversible. According to the amendments, a parliament approves a prime minister and the Committee of National Security would act under the prime minister, not under the president as now. However, the incumbent president and the parliament would work until their terms expire in 2010 while the government would resign after the new constitution is adopted.

Representative of the United Front Azamat Kalman responded the same day the new constitution draft did not meet the opposition demands. Member of the working group Roza Otunbayeva said representatives of the president succeeded in insisting that neither presidential nor parliamentary early elections are held in Kyrgyzstan, however, the president admitted he committed some mistakes when the last constitution was adopted in December. Deputy of Parliament Kubatbek Baibolov, who prepared his own constitution draft, which was rejected by the president on 6 April, said on 11 April that the draft by Atambayev changes the illegal December constitution only and in a cosmetically way. The parliamentary groups and committees began considering the draft on 11 April and the parliament should begin discussion on it on 16 April. The parliamentary committee for legislation sent it on 16 April to the Constitutional Court for expertise recommending the parliament should approve new members in the latter to have a quorum. Chairman of the committee Iskhak Masaliyev said there are very little revolutionary ideas in the draft. RIA Novosti, Prime-Tass, Regnum, 24.kg, Kabar, BPC

3. PRESIDENT ADDRESSES THE NATION. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev addressed the nation via the national TV on 10 April, just 24 hours before the opposition began protest rallies in Bishkek. He said the radical opposition does not want reforms and rejects taking part in a coalition government offered. They pursue their own aims at getting power for themselves and demand resignation of legal incumbent president. They appeal to law enforcement bodies and youth bluffing them and stirring inter-ethnic hatred, they have a well-considered strategy to commit a coup. The same time, the authorities made several steps towards the opposition, we decided turning the state TV into a public TV, we set up a working group to prepare changes into the current constitution and more than a half of the group are representatives of the opposition, we formed a coalition government and a representative of the opposition was appointed to head it, the president said. According to Bakiyev, there are no reasons to bring people out in the streets. However, no force would be used against participants of the planned rallies but strictest measures would be taken if the law is breached during the protest actions and the opposition would be responsible for any unlawful actions.

Vice Speaker of the Parliament Taiyrbek Sarpashev said the same day the two sides must holding a dialogue and the opposition, which demands for reforms, is strong. Co-Chairwoman of the 'For Reforms!' movement Asiya Sasykbayeva said the presidential side only could commit provocations. Coordinator of the United Front (UF) Omurbek Abdrakmanov responded saying the president has to make reforms under the pressure only and he does not keep his words when there is no pressure, he ordered forming a public TV, however, no opposition leaders are given airtime. One of the leaders of the UF Emil Aliyev said the same day that the aides prepared the text of the address mocked at the president and Chairwoman of the Bishkek City Council Nurjamal Baibolova said the address was similar very much to the address by former President Askar Akayev made on 23 March 2005, a day before the revolution. The United Front stated on 10 April that nobody already believes in presidential propaganda. President, Interfax, Kabar, BPC, 24.kg, BPC

4. OPPOSITION LEADER ADDRESSES THE RUSSIAN MEDIA. Leader of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov met in Bishkek on 10 April with correspondents of the Russian media arrived in Bishkek on the eve of the protest rallies planned to begin on 11 April. He said the president took very primitive way to respond to the people demands - he would begin reforms if there would be people in the streets and no reforms if no protest rallies. According to Kulov, he does not demand President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to resign, the main demands of his front are constitutional reforms and early presidential election, because people voted for the Bakiyev-Kulov tandem in 2005 and some part of voters voted for him, Kulov. He also said the pro-presidential media only stir up regionalism and civil was issues while he and his aides receive phone calls threatening to kill them. 24.kg

5. NO SERIOUS GROUNDS FOR THE UNITED FRONT'S DEMANDS - expert. Head of the Moscow-based Center for Public Law Ajdar Kurtov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club on 10 April that in spite of many difficulties, Kyrgyzstan moves towards democracy, but its people - both ordinary residents and leaders including parliamentarians and the president - do not pay tribute to law as a regulator of their life. According to Kurtov, he does not see exhausted reasons to consider the demands of the United Front legitimate - the president was elected at the nationwide election for a certain term. If somebody does not like his presidency, they should wait until his term expires and then elect another leader; the political and economic life turn into chaos if to organize new election every time when people do not like a leader. BPC

11 April, Wednesday:

6. OPPOSITION BEGINS PROTEST RALLIES IN BISHKEK. The United Front (UF) 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' and the 'For Reforms!' Movement began in Bishkek on 11 April at 14 o'clock so-called non-stop protest rallies - people gathered in the morning in seven places of the city and marched to the Ala-Too central square from there. According to different sources, some 10,000 people were on the square, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Temirkan Subanov said about 4,000 law enforcement people secured the order. UF leader Feliks Kulov said at the rally people gathered not to topple the government, they demand for clean and transparent policy, against corruption and family rule. According to him, people voted for the Bakiyev-Kulov tandem in 2005 not for single Bakiyev, so legality of his presidency is under question now. However, he said the authorities began understanding the situation, they should agree with the opposition demands and the two sides should find common approaches.

Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev also addressed the rally, saying he improved in 12 days of his premiership many things committed by the Kulov government in two years and he is ready to resign after a new constitution is adopted. According to him, the constitution draft, prepared by the working group led by him, addresses all the demands of the people and is better than other drafts offered by the opposition. However, the crowd hissed at Atambayev. Rally moderator Melis Eshimkanov said about 50,000 people gathered, Kulov estimated in the evening that there were 30,000 people and Subanov said 4,392 opposition supporters were on the square. RIA Novosti, 24.kg, Prime-Tass, Kommersant, VN, NG, CNN

12 April, Thursday:

7. KULOV SAVES FACE. About 70 people, who began protest hunger strikes in front of the parliament building on 5 April, stopped their action on 12 April and joined the protest rally. Thirty other participants stopped their hunger strike on 10 April to take part in the protest rallies, which began in Bishkek on 11 April. About 100 yurts and military tents were put on the central Ala-Too square for people taking part in the rally, opposition provides them with hot meals and biotoilets. Leader of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov told journalists on 12 April he is encouraged by the recent moves of the authorities, who began some reforms even before the protest actions began. According to him, the actions by the opposition forced the authorities beginning reforms, however, the demands are the same - the constitutional reforms and then the early presidential election. He also said there is no need to gather many people in the center of the city and about 5,000 supporters would take part every day in the non-stop rallies. RIA Novosti, Kabar

8. POLITICAL PROTESTS ARE DISCREDITED IN KYRGYZSTAN. The Institute for Public Policy hosted a round table 'Assessment of Political Situation in Kyrgyzstan' in Bishkek on 12 April. Its participants agreed that "the authorities once again demonstrated that they would only undertake reforms under intense pressure and only then when faced with a threat to its existence. The opposition, in its turn, has failed to provide a clear and legitimate idea, which will win support from the public…. The demands declared by the opposition ruled out the possibility of negotiations from the very beginning…. These demonstrations have exhausted the energy for protest in the public, and strongly discredited such forms of political protest as public demonstrations and hunger strike. 'It is a tragedy when the hunger strike of 70 people triggers no reaction among the authorities or among ordinary people. This happened because this form of protest was used without a clear and legitimate idea', round table participants said". And the parliament "was turned into an object of manipulation by various political groups and is not able to fulfill its proper role in promoting real reforms in the country". IPP

13 April, Friday:

9. THE RALLY PARTICIPANTS MARCH ALONG THE BISHKEK STREETS. Participants of the protest rally on the Ala-Too Square in Bishkek marched along the central streets of the city in the evening of 13 April demanding the authorities to go out to meet them. They stopped in front of the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs demanding to release people detained during the night and then in front of the Committee of National Security condemning the policy of its leadership, who persecute country citizens instead of fighting terrorism. Then they returned to the central square not to allow authorities committing provocations. Deputy of Parliament Omurbak Tekebayev said at the rally a countdown began for the incumbent authorities and Feliks Kulov told the crowd he had meetings with representatives of some foreign countries and leaders of the OSCE.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Temirkan Subanov said 127 people were detained during the night from 12 to 13 April and 20 more on 13 April, because they did not have ID documents. After the human rights activists released some of them, 60 people left under arrest, who had no relation to the protest actions. The Movement For Stability and Unity of Kyrgyzstan announced the same day they would begin their own actions around the country against the rallies of the opposition, but declined to do it on 14 April saying the protests of the opposition were in diminution. RIA Novosti, Kabar, 24.kg

14 April, Saturday:

10. PRESIDENT BAKIYEV WOULD NOT RESIGN. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said in an interview with Russian "Kommersant" on 14 April he has no intention to resign and is sure would find a way from the current crisis without any involvement of Russia or any other country. According to him, the words by Feliks Kulov that there would be a peaceful transfer of power on 11 April had no meaning, so had his words that people voted in 2005 for the tandem, not for Bakiyev. The president said his name Bakiyev was written in the voting bulletins, not the tandem, and besides it, there are laws, the constitution and the term of the elected president. Bakiyev also explained why Kulov was not approved by the parliament as prime minister in January. According to him, both he and Kulov did not took into consideration that the parliament had changed its regulation and the president should offer a new candidate if another one is rejected by the parliament. In spite of it, he nominated Kulov for the second time but Kulov himself did not work with the parliament enough before the issue was considered, saying he would not 'abase himself'.

Bakiyev also said some his presidential authorities are cut according to a new constitution draft, considered no in the parliament, but some new authorities appeared too. According to him, a republic with a mixed form of governance should have a president with broad authorities to have influence both on the parliament and the government. Bakiyev wanted holding a nationwide referendum last December and the people should have decided what form of governance to choose, but the opposition held protests in November and forced the parliament adopting a new constitution, because they understood that people would have chosen a presidential form of government. However, the November constitution was adopted in a too hasty way and the parliament itself had to adopt a new constitution on December. Kommersant

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 8 - 14 APRIL 2007:

On 8 April, leaders of the United Front 'For decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' and the 'For Reforms!' Movement held a joint meeting and selected former Minister of Internal Affairs Omurbek Subanaliyev to be in charge for preparing the protest actions to begin in he regions on 9 April and in Bishkek on 11 April. RIA Novosti

11. On 9 April, former Deputy Secretary of the Security Council General Alik Orozov, who resigned on 5 April, said in his special statement that everything is turned upside down in Kyrgyzstan, a criminal state is built there and people see no different between the leaders and bandits. 24.kg, AKIpress

12. On 9 April, Deputy Director of the Center to Study Post Soviet States at the Moscow Lomonosov University Aleksei Vlasov wrote in his article posted on the site of the university information center that it is most favorable for Russia to keep unstable equilibrium in Kyrgyzstan when there are no strong leaders in the country and all the players are restricted in their activity. IAC MGU

13. On 9 April, Andrei Grozin of the Moscow-based Institute for CIS said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that in spite of the fact that Kyrgyzstan becomes a bugbear already for citizens of neighboring Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the two years in office is not an enough time to present a serious claim to its leaders. BPC

14. On 9 April, Director of the Citizen against Corruption non-governmental organization Tolekan Ismailova said the right of citizens to challenge the court ruling by appealing to the Constitutional Court should be envisaged in a new constitution, but majority of members of the working are against it. Kabar, 24.kg

15. On 9 April, the government decided setting up the new Kristall-1 joint-stock company on the base of the Kristall plant of polycrystal silicon in Tash-Komur and 100 percent pf its shares would belong to the state. Kabar. 24.kg

16. On 9 April, the government said the joint venture Altynken must present its plan of development of the Taldy Bulak Levoverezhny gold deposit in Kyrgyzstan by 30 April, otherwise its license would be cancelled and a new tender to be held. 24.kg, Kabar

17. On 9 April, the ceremony of awarding The Russian Prize for Russian language writers and poets of the CIS countries (except the Russian Federation) was held in Moscow. Kyrgyz cinema screenwriter Talip Ibrayimov wan in the category 'Short Prose' and Kyrgyz Turusbek Madylbayev was the second in the category 'Novels'. Regnum, Kommersant

18. On 10 April, Speaker of the Bishkek City Assembly Nurjamal Baibolova said the assembly supports demands of the United Front and the For Reforms! Movement to conduct immediate constitutional reforms. The Assembly also urged all the sides to hold dialogue. 24.kg, Kabar, BPC

19. On 10 April, Edil Baisalov said at a briefing at the Washington Bureau of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that Feliks Kulov has no moral right to lead democratic opposition of Kyrgyzstan and cannot receiving popular support for his categorical demands. AKIpress

20. On 10 April, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote about the standoff in Kyrgyzstan that "the authorities seem have the upper hand. Any deliberate attempt to whip up the demonstration will damage the opposition". IWPR NBCA

21. On 10 April, the Ministry of Health care said there are 1,135 people in the country registered with HIV/AIDS, and 1,030 of them are Kyrgyz citizens. Most of them - 492 people - live in the southern Osh City (316) and Osh Province. 24.kg

22. On 11 April, "The Tines" reported Kazakhstan wants uniting the Central Asian states in "Uni-Stan", however, "the concept faces considerable hurdles. Most of the countries are ruled by authoritarian leaders who pay scant regard to human rights and democracy". Times

23. On 11 April, Edil Baisalov said in an interview with Voice of America many political analysts in Russia and even deputies of State Duma consider the recent events in Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine as real politics when ordinary people influence the process of decision making, and there is a an envy in the hysteria in the reports in Russian media about the events. VoA

24. On 11 April, Gennady Sysoyev wrote in Russian "Kommersant" that Kyrgyz President "Kurmanbek Bakiev is at the same crossroads once encountered by Eduard Shevardnadze, Leonid Kuchma, Askar Akayev, and Islam Karimov. The first three retreated in the face of the opposition's onslaught, surrendered the president's seat without a fuss, and today are quietly living the lives of political pensioners. The fourth maintained his grip on power with a massive bloodletting and is now reminiscent of a person on whom a sentence has already been passed, but not yet carried out". Kommersant

25. On 11 April, Arkady Dubnov wrote in Moscow-based "Vremya Novostei" that people in Kyrgyzstan trust politicians very little, however, the opposition believes people trust in opposition leader Feliks Kulov more than in President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

26. On 11 April, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said in an interview with the Russian Vesti TV Channel that Kyrgyzstan wanted holding a nationwide referendum last December on a form of state governance, but the opposition held mass protests in November and a new constitution was adopted a hasty way, to the leap-frog process continues since. Vesti

27. On 11 April, Feliks Kulov said in an interview with Russian "Kommersant' that law enforcement bodies of the country are on the side of the United Front already, however, the early presidential election could be held in Kyrgyzstan in 2008 only. Kommersant'

28. On 11 April, Viktoria Panfilova wrote in Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" that both President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and opposition leader Feliks Kulov claim 90 percent of the population support each of them, however, independent observers say they support is about 10 percent of each. NG

29. On 11 April, Minister of Emergencies Turatbek Junushaliyev said at a conference on nuclear wastes, held in Bishkek on 11-13 April, that Kyrgyzstan needs $40 million for rehabilitation of its nuclear waste sites including $5 million of the four sites near the Min-Kush town, where sickness rate among the local residents increased 4 times in the last 10 years. The conference set up a special international working group to prepare a complex palm. Kabar, 24.kg

30. On 11 April, the Ministry of Education and Science said the 18 new textbooks for Kyrgyz language kindergartens would be printed in the country for the money given by the Asian Development Bank. The same day, the Kyrgyz-Russian (Slavic) University in Bishkek said the Russian embassy allotted 1,5 million soms ($38,000) for training of the teachers of the Russian language schools. Kabar

31. On 12 April, unknown people beat the team of the NTS TV Channel on the central square of Bishkek where the opposition rally took place. Moderator of the rally Melis Eshimkanov said NTS Director General Baktygul Jeenbayeva was dismissed from her post; however, she refuted the information and was in the office. 24.kg

32. On 12 April, "Berliner Zeitung" reported about the protest rallies of the Kyrgyz opposition that the actions could lead to very bad disturbances. BZ

33. On 12 April, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said in an interview with Russian "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" about the protest rallies that not all their participants protest for ideological reasons. The same day, opposition leader Feliks Kulov said in an interview with the same paper that many people protest for ideological reasons and the police was already on the side of the opposition, however, it would be announced officially a little bit later. NG

34. On 12 April, Feliks Kulov said in an interview with Tazar that the opposition did not say before that there would be power transfer on 11 April; he said actually that the transfer would begin on 11 April. Tazar

35. On 12 April, Coordinator of the Prespektiva analytical center Sergei Slepchenko said in an interview with Tazar that heated discussion in the Kyrgyz society about the constitutional reforms and on the international program HIPC shows the second stage of the process of national self-identification begins in the country. Tazar

36. On 12 April, Russian "Kommersant" reported Kyrgyzstan is on the 105th place in the world among the 122 states in the rating on information technologies released by the World economic Forum. Kommersant

37. On 12 April, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said the European Commission gives Kyrgyzstan €6.5 million to construct the roads in the southern Kyrgyz regions around the Tajik villages of Chorku and Surkh. Kabar

38. On 12 April, the group City 312 made its concert presentation of their new album Turn Back at the B1-Maximum Club in Moscow. Boris Barabanov wrote in "Kommersant' the same day it is time for the group to take decisions but they play for teenagers still. The Russian site NEWSmusic reported on 13 April that group soloist Aya Nazarenko promotes Kyrgyz folk music in the Moscow public. NEWSmusic, Kommersant. Music Paper

39. On 13 April, Sanobar Shermatova said in an interview with Bishkek Press Club that the events in Kyrgyzstan show what problems a traditional society could have in modern times without modernization of its political culture and the Kyrgyz people would be the first to see what the result would be out of clash of century-old traditions and democratic procedures. BPC

40. On 13 April, OSCE Chairman-in Office Miguel Ángel Moratinos said at a meeting with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev in Bishkek that the Council of Europe could mediate between the Kyrgyz authorities and the opposition. Bakiyev said the constitutional reforms must be realized through the parliament with involvement of the Constitutional Court. Moratinos held also an unplanned meeting with opposition leader Feliks Kulov and left Bishkek for Tajikistan canceling a planned meeting with journalists. RIA Novosti, Kabar, 24.kg, BPC

41. On 13 April, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote, "The ongoing confrontation between the opposition and the authorities in Kyrgyzstan could be settled if protesters give up their demand for an early presidential election and focus solely on the question of constitutional reform". IWPR NBCA

42. On 13 April, Erica Marat wrote on the site of Eurasia Daily Monitor about the ongoing protests in Kyrgyzstan, referring to Edil Baisalov, "If the opposition fails to win at least some substantial changes in Bakiyev’s politics, these demonstrations will go down as a victory for the president". EDM

43. On 13 April, Coordinator of the United Front Omurbek Abdrakmanov said in an interview with the AKIpress agency that the opposition would begin collecting signature for the impeachment of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who does not intend resigning. According to Abdrakmanov, the president must understand that all instability in the country in the last two years is due to his behavior - the instability began just after the revolution in 2005 when his brother stole money from the Jalal-Abad office of the National Bank, then the gold deposits were sold for money, then Russian tycoon Berezovsky was invited to Kyrgyzstan, then the matryoshka-gate and the diskette-gate, then the Pyramida TV and the KOORT TV and the Kristall plant cases happened… AKIpress

44. On 13 April, Viktoria Panfilova and Aleksandr Zhelenin wrote in Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" about the rallies in Bishkek that rally participants did not hide they receive $25 to $50 for their participation. The same day, "Moscow News" reported that organizers of the rallies spent for it about $7 million, while the budget of the November rallies was $2 mullion and only $700,000 of it was spent for the rallies, and the organizers shared rest of money among themselves. NG, MN

45. On 13 April, the Finance Ministry said the income in the consolidated state budget in the first quarter of the year was 6, 100 million soms, which was more than in the same period of 2006 by 1,300 million soms or 27.1 percent. Kabar

46. On 13 April, the Statistical Committee said more than 500,000 people emigrated from the country in the last five years and the internal migration was around one million. Kabar

47. On 13 April, State Committee for Migration and Employment said the Asian Development Bank allots €50 million for reforms of the Kyrgyz vocational education system and the 112 lyceums of the country would be reorganized. Kabar

48. On 14 April, "The Washington Post" reported referring to Michael Hall with the International Crisis Group that the Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's "recent concessions to curb his own power and his appointment of an opposition figure as prime minister could eventually mollify his critics". WP

49. On 14 April, several incidents happened during a march of the protesters along the Bishkek streets. The participants of the march caught during one of the incident a provocateur, who tried beginning a scuffle, but the police refused to detain him. During the other incident, protesters beat two provocateurs and detained some of them, handing three people to police later. One of them admitted he acted in favor of the authorities for money. A correspondent of the 24.kg Agency was beaten during another incident and hospitalized. Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev said at the rally the provocateurs received sanctions from the highest level. 24.kg, Kabar, RIA Novosti

50. Appointments and dismissals: On 9 April, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Zamir Moldoshev chairman of the Border Guarding Service, Kubat Kydyraliyev director of the National Communication Service and Nurlan Askarov director of the Agency for Vocational education. On 11 April, Bakiyev appointed Altai Borubayev chairman of the National Certifying Commission. On 13 April, head of the presidential administration Myktybek Abdyldaev resigned; the opposition said it was a deed by a normal person.

Naryn AIYP.

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Please send your feedback to IdinovN@tiscali.cz
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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 1-7 Apr 2007

2007-04-08T18:24:51Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 1 - 7 APRIL 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. Working group is formed to prepare a new constitution
2. Some posts in the new government are vacant for opposition representatives.
3. Opposition begins hunger strike and issues an ultimatum to the president
4. Erica Marat: It is difficult to expect substantial improvements.
5. Democracy flourishing in Kyrgyzstan - President Bakiyev.
6. People of Kyrgyzstan have an influence on state decisions.
7. Color revolutions could continue.
8. New old composition of the government.
9. Also in the week of 1 - 7 April 2007…

3 April, Tuesday:

1. WORKING GROUP IS FORMED TO PREPARE A NEW CONSTITUTION. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed on 3 April a special decree on forming a working group to prepare a new draft of the constitution. It should be comprised on 11 members - five of them to be nominated by the authorities (the president, the parliament and the government) and six others - by the non-governmental organizations. Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev was appointed to head the group and the decree says the group must be formed by 5 April and it should prepare by 10 April the suggestions, which the president would present the parliament. Atambayev told journalists in Bishkek on 4 April the draft would be ready by 10 April and said it would be discussed widely, not be passed in a day like in November or December. According to him, Bakiyev also understood that adoption of the December constitution was a mistake and Kulov, who was a premier in December, took part in breaking down the November constitution.

The group was formed on 5 April and Atambayev said the constitutional reform would be based on the November constitution. Deputies of parliament Azimbek Beknazarov, Dooronbek Sadyrbayev, Iskhak Masaliyev and Isa Omurkulov, as well as Bektur Zulpiyev from the presidential administration, former State Secretary Ishenbai Abdurazakov, former Foreign Minister Roza Otunbayeva, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission under the president Tursunbek Akun, Chairwoman of the Bishkek City Court Janyl Aliyeva and Lawyer Nurlan Sadykov became members of the group. The opposition For Reforms! movement stripped Omurkulov of the chairman status on 6 April for his participation in the group. Kabar, 24.kg

4 April, Wednesday:

2. SOME POSTS IN THE NEW GOVERNMENT ARE VACANT FOR OPPOSITION REPRESENTATIVES. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev told journalists in Bishkek on 4 April there would not be anti-rallies in Bishkek against the rallies organized by the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan; however, he himself would go out to the square to meet the protesters. According to him, Kyrgyzstan must not follow the scenario in Tajikistan where the civil war began after two opposite rallies were held in Dushanbe. Atambayev also said some posts in the government are still free because some opposition representative are reluctant to occupy them, they wait for 11 April to see what would happen, however, according to him, it is necessary organizing early parliamentary election to form a real coalition government. In the contrary, an early presidential election should not be held because it could divide the country, he said. Kabar, 24.kg, BPC, DW

5 April, Thursday:

3. OPPOSITION BEGINS HUNGER STRIKE AND ISSUES AN ULTIMATUM TO THE PRESIDENT. More than 60 people began on the square in front of the parliament building in Bishkek on 5 April hunger strike demanding early presidential election, more than 20 of the participants were women. Deputy of Parliament Melis Eshimkanov joined the action. Five other people began a similar hunger strike in the Talas Province the same day. Feliks Kulov, leader of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan told journalists in Bishkek on 5 April the opposition would not fight to seize the power like it happened in Tajikistan, its demands are the same as before - an early presidential election, however, some action participants say they should demand resignation of the president too. Kulov also said he met with State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov who said President Kurmanbek Bakiyev wanted to meet Kulov, but he rejected it because Kulov does not believe any word of Bakiyev and Madumarov could not explain the theme of the would-be negotiations. According to Kulov, 90 percent of the country population supports his front.

Kulov also said the opposition sent its demands to the president and they must be met by 6 April. The conditions include to cancel the December constitution and to pass a special constitution law, which would be in effect until a new constitution is adopted, and a new coalition government should be formed. Prime minister must be approved by the parliament without involvement of the president and the premier should appoint ministers and local authorities. The law is needed to secure that the president would keep his promises. The same time, Kulov asked those state officials who intended resigning to keep their posts so far and said the front would not organize protest actions in the southern regions because the brother of the president, Janybek Bakiyev, prepares provocations there. BPC, IPP, 24.kg, RIA Novosti, Kabar, DW, VN

4. ERICA MARAT: IT IS DIFFICULT TO EXPECT SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS. Erica Marat wrote on 5 April in an article posted on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor, "Despite Atambayev's efforts to find common ground between the radical opposition and unpopular president, he is facing considerable challenges from both sides. Although Atambayev was able to remove a number of powerful pro-presidential officials, including first deputy prime minister Daniyar Usenov, during his first week as a prime minister, the president considerably undermined his efforts. The latest reshuffling in the cabinet involves many former state officials. At the same time, neither the United Front nor For Reforms are willing to cooperate with Atambayev…. It is difficult to expect substantial changes from Bakiyev, as he has proven to be a weak politician and incompetent economist…. Likewise, Kulov showed a limited propensity to change and has been repeating the same mistakes made during the reign of former president Askar Akayev as well as under Bakiyev’s leadership. Both as a prime minister and opposition leader, he has maintained an aggressive, yet largely populist platform". EDM

6 April, Friday:

5. DEMOCRACY FLOURISHING IN KYRGYZSTAN - PRESIDENT BAKIYEV. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said in an interview with the Russian agency RIA Novosti on 6 April that there was an imitation of democracy only before the 2005 revolution and the president acted as a communist leader in the Soviet times while the parliament, government and courts were the pockets bodies. Now, after the revolution, there is a real parliament and a real government, the courts act independently. Opposition politicians are selected to head the government and the parliament is able even overcoming some presidential vetoes.

According to Bakiyev, there are still some conflicts, struggle and dissents but it is a normal practice for a democratic society, it is good that there is a strong opposition in the country, it is a sign of recovery and development. The same time, the protest rallies would not add 'thoughtfulness' to it, the opposition uses the protests to promote its own versions of policy while there are many other people in the country who adhere to other opinion. It is not good when a single group dictates it conditions, he added. Bakiyev said he made the most important thing, he asked a representative of the opposition to form a new government, and Almaz Atambayev left the Kulov government in 2006 in protest against its policy. RIA Novosti

6. PEOPLE OF KYRGYZSTAN HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON STATE DECISIONS. Ajdar Kurtov of the Asia Analitika Foundation wrote in an article posted on the site Asiainform on 6 April that there is a real move to democracy in Kyrgyzstan. It is not easy, there are many problems and obstacles, losses and difficulties, and it is not clear the process would have a success, but there is a move. The Kyrgyz parliament became a strong body and the people of the country have an influence on decisions made by the leadership, for instance, the civil society was strongly against a new program of the international financial institutions and the government decided not to join it. Asiainform

7. COLOR REVOLUTIONS COULD CONTINUE. The site Ynetnews of Israel published an article entitled "A user's guide to revolutions" on 6 April, in which it was said, "In November 2003 former Soviet republic of Georgia saw the Rose Revolution leading to the installment of a proper democratic government. Then, in 2004 the former Soviet republic of Ukraine witnessed the Orange Revolution which thwarted the rise of a corrupt authoritarian government. 2005 saw the Kyrgyz revolution resulted in the overthrow of authoritarian President Askar Akayev in the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan. And there are almost certainly more revolutions to come. It is fascinating that the revolutions in former Soviet Republics took place thirteen to fourteen years after the collapse of the communist Soviet Union. Indeed this is a point which needs addressing today: what can be done to ensure that countries formerly run by authoritarian regimes do not slip back into their old dictatorial traditions? This is in fact what occurred in most of the former Soviet republics, and according to some commentators, it is happening today in Putin's Russia". Ynetnews

7 April, Saturday:

8. NEW OLD COMPOSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev held in Bishkek on 7 April the first meeting of the new government, 21 officials took part in it, the positions of first prime minister and some other posts are still vacant. The following people are the members of the government so far:
Prime Minister - Almaz Atambayev.
Vice Prime Minister - Dosbol Nur uulu.
Government Chief of Staff (Minister) - Medet Sadyrkulov.
Minister of Foreign Affairs - Ednan Karabayev.
Minister of Defense - Ismail Isakov.
Minister of Internal Affairs - Bolotbek Nogoibayev.
Minister of Justice - Marat Kaiypov.
Minister of Finance - Akylbek Japarov.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade - Sabyrbek Moldokulov.
Minister of Industry, Energy and Fuel Resources - Igor Chudinov.
Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Processing Industry - Sooronbai Jeenbekov.
Minister of Transport and Communications - Nurlan Sulaimanov.
Minister of Education and Science - Kanybek Osmonaliyev.
Minister of Healthcare - Tuigunaaly Abdirayimov.
Minister of Culture and Information - Sultan Rayev.
Minister of Labor and Social Development - Uktomkhan Abdullayeva.
Minister of Emergencies - Turat Junushaliyev.
Chairman of the National Security Committee - Murat Sutalinov.
Chairwoman of the Committee for Migration and Employment - Aigul Ryskulova.
Director of the Committee for Taxes and Dues Temirbek Kurmanbekov.
Director of the Customs Committee - Nurlan Akmatov.
Director of the Agency of Sport, Physical Education, Youth Affairs and Child Protection - Bektur Asanov.
Director of the Agency of Religious Affairs - Toigonbek Kalmatov.
Director of the Agency of Tourism - Turusbek Mamashov.
Director of the Agency of Geology and Mineral Resources - Vladimir Zubkov.
Director of the Agency of Anti-Monopoly Policy and Competition - Imankadyr Rysaliyev.
Director of the Drug Control Agency Alimbai Sultanov.
Chairman of the Financial Intelligence Service - Maksatbek Sadyrov.
Chairman of the National Commission on UNESCO Affairs - Jypar Jeksheev. PSP, Kabar, RIA Novosti

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 1 - 7 APRIL 2007:

9. On 1 April, Kyrgyzstan began exporting electricity to Kazakhstan, which was announced is not in return for coal supplies. Kyrgyzstan would supply 50 million kilowatt-hours in April with price of 1.52 cents per kWh. Kabar

10. On 1 April, the Youth Human Rights Group reported on cruel and insulting treatment and punishment used at the Children Mental Hospital in the village of Ivanovka of the Chui Province. Additional information: yhrg95@gmail.com. DW, SNGnews

11. On 2 April, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed the law on the National TV and Radio Corporation into effect. It was passed in the parliament on 8 June 2006, but Bakiyev vetoed it on 7 August 2006 and recalled the veto on 26 March 2007. According to the law, the corporation should be turned into a public TV. Kabar

12. On 2 April, Political Analyst Valentin Bogatyryov said in an interview with Tazar that a news form of democracy, the consensus democracy is being created now in Kyrgyzstan, it is a process of getting agreements, compromises, concordances through negotiations. According to him, it is a very positive process with the great future. Tazar

13. On 2 April, leader of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Feliks Kulov said in an interview with Moscow-based "Vremya Novostei" that all the protest actions in Kyrgyzstan, set to begin on 9 and 11 April, would be peaceful. According to him, he tried persuading the presidential side to behave seriously and civilized, not to yield to provocations and not to bring everything to street actions. VN

14. On 2 April, Ibragim Rustambek wrote in an article posted on the site Gazeta.Kz that the appointment of Almaz Atambayev prime minister is a slap in the face of leader of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Feliks Kulov. According to Rustambek, Atambayev asked Kulov after his join the opposition last February why he was not so fundamentally-decent before. Gazeta.Kz

15. On 2 April, Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev said the authorities would stop abiding by Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev if the opposition cancels the protest rallies set for 9 and 11 April, so, the premier depends on the opposition. 24.kg

16. On 2 April, it was announced that the center for marrow transplantation, built in Bishkek with help from Turkey and a single one in Central Asia, was ready to work. Kabar

17. On 2 April, the parliament adopted a special resolution on State subsidies to the Alpine regions and asked the government to revise the list of the regions to receive the help. The ministry of Labor and Social Development prepared a list of 404 regions, however, 98 of them turned to be arguable. 24.kg, Kabar

18. On 2 April, prominent Kyrgyz stayer runner, bronze winner of the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980 Satymkul Jumanazarov died at 56. AKIpress

19. On 3 April, Deputy of Parliament and owner of the newspaper "Agym" Melis Eshimkanov stated he knew that the son of the president, Maksim Bakiyev, ordered to kill him, saying Eshimkanov is a political killer hired by Feliks Kulov. 24.kg

20. On 3 April, head of the staff of the United Front "For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan" General Omurbek Subanaliyev refuted information that the front held negotiations with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and said if the president wants to negotiate, he could come to the front office any time. 24.kg

21. On 3 April, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote, "An attempt to forge a coalition with the Kyrgyz opposition has failed, speeding up constitutional reform is the only option President Kurmanbek Bakiev and Prime Minister Almazbek Atambaev have to ease the political tension". IWPR NBCA

22. On 3 April, Taalaibek Amanov wrote in an article posted on the site of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, "For many in the opposition, it is Bakiev himself who is the problem, however many concessions he makes. His opponents…. blame him for all the problems Kyrgyzstan has had since its “liberation” from President Askar Akaev's rule in March 2005". IWPR

23. On 3 April, the Global Campaign for Free Expression Article XIX announced it posted the "Central Asian Pocketbook on Freedom of Expression" on its website in English and Russian: http://www.article19.org/pdfs/tools/central-asian-pocketbook.pdf Article XIX

24. On 3 April, President of the Institute for Public Policy Muratbek Imanaliev offered establishing unconstitutional body to get out of the current crisis in Kyrgyzstan - a state (supreme) council for the country's management, because the country did not respect its own constitution over the last 7-8 years in any case. Parliament members, ministers, and other officials should not be elected to the body. BPC, IPP

25. On 3 April, the parliament approved quotas for foreign traders operating in the country at the number of 4,358, halving down the number suggested by the State Committee for Migration and Employment. The parliament also raised a monthly price of a patent to work from 51,000 soms suggested by the committee to 100,000 soms. It was 800 soms before. Kabar, 24.kg

26. On 3 April, Chairman of the Director Board of the AsiaUniversalBank Mikhail Nadel announced former US senators Bob Doul and Bennett Johnston agreed becoming members of the board. Doul said in Bishkek the same day Kyrgyzstan is a country with great potential and Johnston said they would agree if do not believe in a greater future of Kyrgyzstan. US citizen own 33 percent of shares of the bank. Kabar. 24.kg

On 3 April, Lawyer of the Independent Human Rights Group Nurbek Toktakulov stated the Islamic Development Bank says it allotted $140,000 for reconstruction of the mental hospital in Chym-Korgon and the money was spent, however the building has not been reconstructed. Burul Makenbayeva of another non-governmental organization said at the same meeting for journalists that number of children psychiatrist has decreased sharply in the country. Kabar, AKIpress

27. On 3 April, residents of the Talas Province blocked the Bishkek-Talas highway again protesting development of the Jerooy and Andash gold deposits in the region. Premier Almaz Atambayev received their representatives in Bishkek on 7 April and promised to consider al the related issues thoroughly. BPC, Kabar

28. On 3 April, Nurlan Motuyev, leader of the patriotic movement Joomart, was released upon a written statement that he would not leave Bishkek. He seized the Kara-Keche coalmine after the 2005 revolution, was arrested on 23 May 2006 and charged with 14 clauses of the Criminal Code, and the trial against him began in Bishkek on 16 February 2007. Rosbalt, 24.kg

29. On 3 April, the Ukrainian embassy in Bishkek said the signing a protocol with Kyrgyzstan on Ukrainian membership in the World Trade Organization, planned for 3 April, is postponed for indefinite period due to the crisis in Kyrgyzstan. Kommersant

30. On 4 April, Publisher of "The Times of Central Asia" Georgio Fiacconi wrote in the newspaper about the crisis in Kyrgyzstan, "Everybody is talking about a new constitution (there are already several drafts), but few are talking about a real government program that will tackle the country’s serious economic problems". TCA

31. On 4 April, Co-Chairwoman of the For Reforms! Movement and Director of the Interbilim Center Asiya Sasykbayeva said President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is not ready for radical reforms and a sign of it is reappointment of Igor Chudinov, who is involved in the family business of the president, as minister of industry and energy. BPC

32. On 4 April, the Center Interbilim, and the public foundations Journalists and For Tolerance International suggested any journalists in the country should be granted immunity status as parliamentarians and other high officials. Several cases of beating the journalists were registered in Kyrgyzstan recently. Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress, DW

33. On 4 April, the United Front "For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan" stated its office in Osh City was raided the same day. 24.kg, BPC,

34. On 4 April, Aleksandr Karavayev wrote in an article posted on the site of the Moscow Lomonosov University's information center that Russia perceives itself still as a father for all the former Soviet republics, but the newly independent countries do not like it as do all the teenagers. IAC MGU

35. On 4 April, an annual assembly of the National Academy of Sciences was held in Bishkek, it was said at it that the academy made more than 1,000 publications in 2006 (279 of them abroad) included 37 monographs and 54 textbooks. The academy received 90 million soms from the state budget last year, which was more than in 2005 by 19 million; however, it was equal to 0.12 percent of the GDP and not enough even to maintain basic activity. Kabar

36. On 4 April, the parliament approved the state budget draft for 2007, the revenues would be at 26,217 million soms against the expenditures at 32,162 million. Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Budget Issues Akmatbek Keldibekov said the budget deficit would be about 4,000 soms due to some additional grants from the international organizations. Finance Minister Akylbek Japarov said the both revenues and expenditures almost doubled since the pre-revolution year 2004. Kabar

37. On 4 April, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Budget Issues Akmatbek Keldibekov said at the hearing in parliament on the state budget that Kyrgyzstan plans receiving $17 million as a lease payment for the US airbase in 2007 and $8 million of it has already been paid. 24.kg

38. On 4 April, the government suggested the parliament to low tariffs of insurance contributions of employers from 21 to 19 percent as well as write off the debt of the employers reached 6 million soms total, because many of the companies do not exists already. Kabar

39. On 4 April, the International Business Council stated a mania at the parliament to revise the previous contracts could damage the investment reputation of Kyrgyzstan. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev also said the same day he was against the law passed in parliament, which envisages to revise the contracts on developing the gold deposits. Residents of the Jeti-Oguz District condemned the law too, but Chairman of the parliamentary committee on budget Akmatbek Keldibekov supported it. 24.kg, Tazar

40. On 4 April, Minister of Finance Akylbek Japarov said the plant of polycrystalline silicon Kristall would be announced bankrupt and a new plant would set up on its base, which would sold by auction in a way that the government would keep share majority. The plant produces 300 tons of silicon yearly worth $20 million. 24.kg, Kabar

41. On 5 April, Political Analyst Valentin Bogatyryov said serious talks between the president and the opposition would begin on 12 April only, when it would be clear how much support opposition gained from the people. BPC

42. On 5 April, leader of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Feliks Kulov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that no foreign country is counteracting to the events in Kyrgyzstan, the stability in the country depends on whims of the president only. BPC

42. On 5 April, the National TV presented the four-minute animation film The Flower by Director Izat Abdrayimov and Producer Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, the first product of the Studio Aitysh Film. It is the first animation produced by Kyrgyzstan without foreign held in the last 17 years. Kabar, Regnum

43. On 5 April, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev rejected presenting the parliament the constitution draft prepared by a group led by Deputy of Parliament Kubatbek Baibolov. Bakiyev said he would not yield to pressure of any small groups who prepare their own constitutions. Premier Almaz Atambayev also criticized the draft on 4 April. BPC, AKIpress

44. On 6 April, the Movement For Reforms! decided to support protest rallies prepared by the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan to begin in Bishkek on 11 April. 24.kg

45. On 6 April, it was announced the number of people taking part in hunger strike action in Bishkek reached 71, similar actions were held in the village of Baitik (10 people), the city of Tokmok (five people) and other places. Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev visited the protesters in Bishkek on 6 April, their number reached 76 on 7 April. 24.kg

46. On 6 April, the Movement "For Reforms!" decided to work out a new draft of the constitution in cooperation with the United Front "For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan". Regnum

47. On 6 April, the Agency 24.kg published documents, according to which Feliks Kulov, when he was the prime minister, signed documents on canceling license of the Oxus Company of Britain to develop the Jerooy gold deposit in Kyrgyzstan after receiving instructions from President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. New Premier Almaz Atambayev accused Kulov on 4 April of signing the documents. 24.kg, Tazar

48. On 7 April, Chairman of the Erkindik Party Topchubek Turgunaliyev accused leader of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Feliks Kulov of having links with criminal world and invited him for public debates. The oldest Member of Parliament, Dooronbek Sadyrbayev, also challenged Kulov on 6 April saying his place is in prison and also invited Kulov to debate. AKIpress, 24.kg

49. On 7 April, the Prosecutor General Office said it closed the so-called Diskette-gate criminal case. Prime Minister Feliks Kulov and State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov stated at a session of the parliament on 3 November 2006 that the opposition planned to seize some of the country's vital strategic facilities and presented a diskette with voices of 18 people including 7 parliamentarians recorded in the office of Deputy Omurbek Tekebayev on 2 November. 24.kg, Interfax, Itar-Tass, RIA Novosti, Kabar

50. Appointments and dismissals: on 31 March, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev dismissed First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov. The same day, Bakiyev replaced Minister of Emergencies Janysh Rustenbekov, replacing him by Turatbek Junushaliyev; Minister of Health Care Shailoobek Niyazov by Tuigunaaly Abdrayimov; and Chairman of the Tax Committee Toktobek Akmatov by Temirbek Kurmanbekov. Also on 31 March, the president reappointed Minister of Transport and Communications Nurlan Sulaimanov, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sabyrbek Moldokulov and Chairman of the Committee for Migration and Employment Aigul Ryskulova.

On 3 March, Bakiyev reappointed Minister of Finance Akylbek Japarov, Minister of Industry, Energy and Fuel Resources Igor Chudinov, Minister of Education and Sciences Kanybek Osmonaliyev, Minister of Culture and Information Sultan Rayev, Minister of Labor and Social Development Uktomkhan Abdullayeva. The same day, Bakiyev appointed Deputy of Parliament Sooronbai Jeenbekov minister of agriculture, water resources and processing industry replacing Talantbek Uzakbayev; and Nurlan Akmatov chairman of the Customs Committee instead of Salaidin Aidarov.

On 4 April, Chairman of the Chui Province Military Court Nurlan Ashymbek uulu resigned protesting corruption in the judicial system of the country. Chairman of the Military Court of Kyrgyzstan Dastan Aijigitov called it a personal choice of Ashymbek uulu, because opinions of many other judges are different.

On 5 April, Bakiyev reappointed Dosbol Nur uulu vice prime minister and Marat Kaiypov as minister of justice. On 5 April, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council Alik Orozov resigned sending an open letter to the president, in which he said the authorities create problems from nothing themselves. President Bakiyev accepted the resignation the same day and appointed Kamchybek Kurbanaliyev to the post. The same day, Bakiyev appointed Kubanych Mombekov deputy chairman of the Supreme Court for five years; and Consul to Pakistan Islan Ryskulov became head of the foreign relations department at the presidential administration.

On 7 April. Bakiyev appointed Bektur Asanov director of the Sport and Physical Education Agency; Toigonbek Kalmatov director of the Agency of Religious Affairs; Turusbek Mamashov director of the Agency of Tourism; Vladimir Zubkov director of the Agency of Geology and Mineral Resources - Imankadyr Rysaliyev director of the Agency of Anti-Monopoly Policy and Competition; Alimbai Sultanov director of the Drug Control Agency; Maksatbek Sadyrov chairman of the Financial Intelligence Service; and Jypar Jeksheev chairman of the National Commission on UNESCO Affairs. PPS, Kabar, 24.kg, Interfax

Naryn AIYP.

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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 25-31 Mar 2007

2007-04-01T15:24:07Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 25 - 31 MARCH 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. Civic society unites with the opposition against president.
2. President agrees reforming the television.
3. Parliament decriminalizes libel and bans death penalty.
4. Parliament for revising the gold contracts.
5. Human rights abuses in Kyrgyzstan in 2006.
6. President agrees holding a vote of confidence referendum.
7. Awkward attempts to form a coalition government.
8. Opposition politician becomes the prime minister.
9. Kyrgyzstan can become a normal state.
10. Parliament approves appointment of new prime minister.
11. Also in the week of 25 - 31 March 2007…

26 March, Monday:

1. CIVIC SOCIETY UNITES WITH THE OPPOSITION AGAINST PRESIDENT. Several non-governmental organizations, led by the Interbilim Center, held in Bishkek on 26 March a forum. Interbilim Director Asiya Sasykbayeva said at its opening that they intended first to invite the president and his representatives too, but then decided to take a decision in their own circle. Leader of the United Front (UF) 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov said at the forum that there would a peaceful power transfer in the country on 11 April, because local authorities take the side of the UF. Kulov said the opposition rejects an offer of the president to adopt a new constitution through the parliament with expertise of the Constitutional Court due to its long duration - people cannot wait. According to Kulov, there would not be any looting during the power transfer and if somebody wants to repeat it, the UF would crush them down. The Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote on 27 March that civil-society activists, who organized the forum, have failed to mediate between the authorities and the opposition.

Participants of the forum stated the goals of the revolution of 24 March 2005 were not achieved, the hopes of the people were not justified, there is no need to negotiate with the authorities on their conditions and a decision to support holding non-stop protest actions, prepared by the UF, was taken. Kulov said leaders of the most active political forces should form a coalition government, otherwise the country could collapse. Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev said the president would have better resign, if he does not do it, public will make him resign. Another deputy, Temir Sariyev, said the train is formed, tickets are sold, and the route terminal is early elections. If the president can, let him stop it, if cannot, he should resign voluntarily. Edil Baisalov said the parliament should be disbanded. Regnum, 24.kg, Kommersant, IWPR NBCA

2. PRESIDENT AGREES REFORMING THE TELEVISION. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev withdrew on 26 March his veto of the law on turning the state TV and radio company into a public television and radio. The parliament passed the law on 8 June 2006 and Bakiyev vetoed it on 7 August 2006. The presidential representative said Bakiev did it to consolidate the political forces in the country. Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov said the parliament would send the president the law draft the same day to sign.

The same day, Bakiyev signed a special decree on turning the State TV and Radio Company into the National TV and Radio Corporation (NTVRC), according to which, the NTVRC is a governmental company and cannot be privatized. The president also asked the parliament to form in a month its superior control body - the 15-member Supervisory Board (SB). The parliament should approve members of the SB and the president, the parliament and the civic sector should nominate five members in it each. The Supervisory Board should elect the chief executive officer - the director general - for five years and the prime minister would appoint it. Expert of the Center for Legal and Political Researches Gulnara Iskakova said on 29 March the renaming of the company is not yet the reforms, however, it is a sign the authorities have a will to reform the television. Kabar, 24.kg, RIA Novosti, President, Interfax, IHT, Regnum

3. PARLIAMENT DECRIMINALIZES LIBEL AND BANS DEATH PENALTY. The Kyrgyz parliament adopted on 26 March a law draft on first reading, which excludes the two clauses on libel and insult from the criminal code. The package of law drafts, being considered now, includes also a suggestion to ban the death penalty in the country and introducing juries. OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Miklos Haraszti welcomed the decriminalization of libel in Kyrgyzstan and creating the conditions for public TV. 24.kg, AKIpress

4. PARLIAMENT FOR REVISING THE GOLD CONTRACTS. The Kyrgyz parliament passed on 26 March the law on bringing in order all the gold issues and decided that the general agreement between the Kyrgyz government and the Canadian CAMECO Corporation on the Kumtor gold deposit signed on 4 December 1992 and amended later on 16 January 1993, 3 September 1993, 30 May 1994, was not ratified by the Kyrgyz parliament, so it is illegal as are all the other agreements and contracts signed on its base. The law also envisages that CAMECO should pay all the taxes not paid in 1992-2007 as well as to set up a special state-owned gold corporation, which should supervise development of all gold deposits in the country.

Author of the draft, Deputy Arslanbek Maliyev, said it is not a nationalizing of Kumtor but the contracts must be re-signed and Kyrgyzstan should receive additional $2,000 million, of which $1,200 is taxes. According to him, the Canadian company spent $46 million for the project and received more than $1,000-million revenues. Another parliamentarian, Bolot Sherniyazov, said all the Kyrgyz officials, signed the contract, must be brought to justice. Centerra Gold Inc., a subsidiary of CAMECO, confirmed the same day it had been in negotiations with representatives of the Kyrgyz government for several weeks. According to it, "If the issues between CAMECO and the Kyrgyz Republic are not resolved to their mutual satisfaction, the risks to CAMECO's investment in Centerra may increase significantly. We are uncertain if an agreement can be reached to resolve the issues with the Kyrgyz government". The Centerra shares in Toronto "declined slipping 64 cents, or 5.8 percent, to C$10.35. The shares dropped 12 percent, the most in 8 months". 24.kg, AKIpress, CCNMatthews, Bloomberg, Expert-Online

5. HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN KYRGYZSTAN IN 2006. Amnesty International released on 26 March the report Central Asia: Summary of Human Rights Concerns, January 2006 - March 2007. It is said in its part on Kyrgyzstan that in August 2006, the Kyrgyz authorities extradited four refugees and one asylum-seeker to Uzbekistan. "In a statement on 14 June, UNHCR reiterated that the agency had found permanent resettlement places for all four men in different countries and urged the government of Kyrgyzstan to transfer them into the agency's care for immediate resettlement. Kyrgyzstan is obliged under international law to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the forcible return of persons to any country where they would be at risk of serious human rights violations, including torture and other ill-treatment. UNHCR was not given prior notice of the five men’s extradition…. Gulmira Maksudova was detained in July 2006 in Osh and transferred to the pre-trial detention centre. She is the daughter of Akram Yuldashev, the jailed leader of the alleged Islamic movement, Akramia, accused by Uzbekistan of having organized the May 2005 Andizhan events and subsequently banned…. In August 2006, UNHCR and human rights organizations expressed concern at the apparent "disappearances" of a number of Uzbek refugees and asylum-seekers in the south of Kyrgyzstan".

In March 2006, a group of 20 prisoners on death row in Bishkek's pre-trial detention centre No.1 wrote an open letter to President Kurmanbek Bakiev asking him to set up a commission to re-examine their criminal cases and review their convictions, which they felt were unsafe…. On 22 June, the Supreme Court turned down the appeal against the death sentence of Uzbekistani national Otabek Akhadov, who, along with three other men, all of Uighur origin, were found guilty of the assassination of the head of the Uighur Society in Kyrgyzstan on 28 March 2000 and of a "terrorist act against the state delegation of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of China on 25 May 2000"…. On 27 March 2006, Husein Dzhelil, also known as Huseyin Celil, a 37-year old Canadian citizen and ethnic Uighur from XUAR, was detained in Uzbekistan for his alleged involvement in these crimes…. At least two ethnic Uzbek men were killed in suspicious circumstances during security and counter-terrorism operations conducted jointly by Kyrgyz and Uzbek security forces. In August, independent Kyrgyz imam (religious teacher) Muhammadrafik Kamalov from Karasuu was shot and killed by security forces together with two suspected members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan members…. On 12 April 2006, Edil Baisalov, the leader of the independent human rights organization Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society, was attacked by an unidentified assailant as he was leaving the office of his NGO in the centre of Bishkek". AI

28 March, Wednesday:

6. PRESIDENT AGREES HOLDING A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE REFERENDUM. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said on 28 March, the opposition demand to hold early presidential election is unacceptable, however, he agrees to hold a vote of confidence referendum but only after a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, set to be held in Bishkek on 16 August, is over. Kabar, AKIpress, 24.kg, RIA Novosti

7. AWKWARD ATTEMPTS TO FORM A COALITION GOVERNMENT. It became known on 28 March that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev sacked First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov and four ministers (Minister of Emergencies Janysh Rustenbekov, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sabyr Moldokulov, Minister of Health Care Shailoobek Niyazov, and head of the government staff Tynychbek Tabyldiyev), as well as the two heads of state agencies (Director of the Agency for Intellectual Property Roman Omorov and Director of the Agency for Ecology and Forestry Arstanbek Davletkeldiyev). Prime Minister Azim Isabekov made a statement on it for journalists in the afternoon, mentioning that he took the decision and it was aimed at setting up a coalition government. However, Bakiyev announced in the evening he did not accept the resignations, kept the ministers on the posts and thanked them for their readiness to resign to defuse the situation. According to the president, the initiative by the prime minister was a hasty one. Russian "Kommersant" reported on 29 March, "Isabekov made it clear the initiative for renewing political power is coming directly from President Bakiyev".

Isabekov admitted the same day he visited the office of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' on 27 March and talked with its leader Feliks Kulov on the situation in the country. According to Isabekov, President Bakiyev also is ready to meet with Kulov to begin negotiations. Kulov's representative Azamat Kalman stated there would not be any negotiations. Deputy to Kulov in the Party Ar-Namys Emil Aliyev said Isabekov took the blame upon him for the resignations, but if he made the decision actually, he himself must be sacked. Kabar, 24.kg, RIA Novosti, Interfax, Regnum , BPC, Kommersant,

29 March, Thursday:

8. OPPOSITION POLITICIAN BECOMES THE PRIME MINISTER. Prime Minister Azim Isabekov resigned on 29 March saying he left his post to secure political stability in the country. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev accepted the resignation the same day and appointed former leader of the opposition movement For Reforms! Almaz Atambayev acting prime minister. State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov told journalists the same day it was a first step to begin negotiations with the opposition.

The opposition movement For Reforms! and the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' held the same day a join meeting and took a decision not to take part in the government led by Atambayev, to prepare their own draft of the constitution, and to insist on beginning protest actions in the regions on 9 and in Bishkek on 11 April. It was said in their joint statement, "The President has not kept any of his promises to the people. Lies and deception have become his main tools while communicating the nation…. The regime fully supports corruption; crime enjoys its benevolence. Honor of the state, its dignity has been crushed". A similar statement was adopted at a meeting of the movement For Reforms! on 27 March too. Kabar, 24.kg, Interfax, Regnum, BPC, BBC

9. KYRGYZSTAN CAN BECOME A NORMAL STATE. Sergei Strokan wrote in Russian "Kommersant" on 29 March, "Turbulent events in Kyrgyzstan, where the opposition, reviving together with nature in spring, calls for radical political reforms and premature resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiev, have strangely coincided with the beginning of drastic reforms in neighboring Tajikistan…. it turns out there are at least two patterns or strategies for further development of the independent states at the CIS southern side. First can be nominally termed a ‘Turkmeno-Tajik’ pattern. In this case, ruling former Soviet internationalists appear in the guise of present-day local nationalists. They replace Communist ideology by the ideas based on a bizarre mixture of the chief’s works, Koran, and history textbooks. Those textbooks narrate about the great past in a quite arbitrary way, and this great past wonderfully replaces the future…. The second pattern, alternative to the ‘Turkmeno-Tajik’ one, may be nominally termed ‘Kyrgyz’. The same oriental, clan society…. dooms itself to instability, easily casts down some cult-figures and lifts up others, creates real political parties and public organizations, has its own independent parliament and not an obedient voting machine. This pattern, in the long run, leaves more chances for the state and the society to once overcome the developmental disease and to become a normal state, no matter how many blunders the leaders of Kyrgyz ‘tulip revolution’ make now and later, and no matter how many of those revolutions happen". Kommersant

30 March, Friday:

10. PARLIAMENT APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF NEW PRIME MINISTER. The parliament decided on 30 March to consider appointment of Almaz Atambayev as a new prime minister and invited President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to its session. Bakiyev came, introduced Atambayev to the parliamentarians as the nominee and the parliament approved Atambayev as a new head of the government the same day. Bakiyev said he was ready for a compromise and to seek for decisions acceptable for the majority of people. According to him, the appointment of Atambayev was a real step towards the opposition and the resignation of Isabekov was a sing that the authorities act democratically.

Atambayev told parliamentarians it was a difficult decision for him but he made it to stabilize the situation in the country. According to him, it is difficult to trust the authorities but the president is ready for reforms and he believes the president's intention is honest. Atambayev added it is possible to recover the country economy. Bakiyev signed a decree on the Atambayev's appointment the same day and also re-appointed ministers of foreign and internal affair, minister of defense as well as the chairman of the Committee for National Security. Atambayev said the other members of the government could be appointed on Monday. Kabar, RIA Novosti, Interfax, VN, Kommersant, Itar-Tass, IHT

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 25 - 31 MARCH 2007:

11. On 26 March, Omurbek Tekebayev and Almaz Atambayev resigned from the posts as co-chairmen of the opposition Movement For Reforms! At the same meeting, Kubatbek Baibolov, Isa Omurkulov, Roza Otunbayeva, Temir Sariyev, Asiya Sasykbayeva, Osmonbek Artykbayev, Duishen Chotonov, Edil Baisalov and Kasymbek Raiymkulov were elected nine co-chairpersons of the movement. Sasykbayeva said after the meeting they were disappointed with the TV address of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev made on 23 March and are ready taking part in mass protests, beginning of which is set for 11 April. It was said in the statement by the movement, released on 27 March, that Bakiyev does not intend conducting reforms. 24.kg

12. On 26 March, Aleksander Sobyanin of the Moscow-based Association of Border Cooperation said in an interview with the Internet-newspaper Tazar that Feliks Kulov is an experienced politician, however, he never won in a situation when he was in a weak political position. Tazar

13. On 26 March, the parliament rejected a law draft on decriminalization of polygamy, prepared by the Justice Ministry. 24.kg

14. On 26 March, it became known that new Director of the State Agency for Religious Affairs Toigonbai Kalmatov insists on including women in the Council of Muslim Clergies of Kyrgyzstan. 24.kg

15. On 26 March, the parliament overcame the presidential veto on he law, which lowers the retirement age by three years. Men now will be able to retire at 60 instead of 63 as they do now, while women will retire at the age of 55 instead of 58. The retirement age was raised five years ago under pressure from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The specialists criticized the new move, however, Vice Speaker of the Parliament Kubanychbek Isabekov said people in Kyrgyzstan do not live up to the retirement age. Population of Kyrgyzstan is 5.2 million, there are 560,000 retired people in the country and the average pension is currently 976 soms a month ($25). Kabar, IWPR NBCA

16. On 26 March, leader of the human rights organization Law and Rule Izatulla Rahmatullayev said the body of Arslan Jumabayev was given his relatives in Osh City on 18 March. He was arrested two months ago for possessing drugs. According to Rahmatullayev, 19 people died from tortures in the pre-trial facilities in Osh in the last 10 years. Kabar

17. On 26 March, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said at a meeting in Bishkek with Kyrgyz ambassadors and other representatives abroad that the country needs new type of diplomats who are the moderns, high professionals, active and strong as well as with high cultural level. Kabar, 24.kg

18. On 26 March, Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev said he received information that equipment of the prominent Bishkek winery Shampanvinkombinat was given the Kantvino Company and its territory was sold for $14.5 million and asked the government to prove or disprove the information. 24.kg

19. On 26 March, the parliament passed the law on dual citizenship, according to which ethnic Kyrgyz can obtain the Kyrgyz citizenship by easy procedures, Kyrgyz citizenship should not be given citizens of the neighbor countries and people with dual citizenship cannot be promoted to high state positions. Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress

20. On 27 March, the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights released in Vienna its annual report on human rights situation in the area of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The Kyrgyz Committee for Human Rights led by Ramazan Dyryldayev prepared its part on Kyrgyzstan. VGK, IHF, KCHR

21. On 27 March, Anders Aslund of the Institute for International Economics said in an interview with the Ukrainian newspaper Den that transfer to a parliamentary form of governance is a modern tendency in the world, the more democratic countries transfer and the process is seen in Moldova, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan. Den

22. On 27 March, President of the Institute for Public Policy Muratbek Imanaliyev said the opposition's promises to begin mass protest actions show they do not use the political technologies and do not know any ways of resolving the conflict situations. BPC

23. On 27 March, Chairman of the Party Erkindik Topchubek Turgunaliyev announced on setting up the new political movement For Political Stability and Unity, which would try gathering the authorities and opposition at a bargaining table. The movement held it first meeting at the State Opera in Bishkek on 29 March and urged the president putting the three questions on the nationwide referendum: new draft of the constitution, issue of dissolution of parliament, and immunity of high officials. Regnum, 24.kg, AKIpress

24. On 27 March, the Ministry of Finance presented its prognosis of macroeconomic indexes for 2007 - the inflation rate should be not more than 5,0 percent, weight of industry in the gross domestic product should be raised from current 15.9 to 16.4 percent, growth in industry and construction should be 8.6 and 10.0 percent correspondingly and the agricultural output should increase by 4 percent. Kabar

25. On 27 March in the evening, journalist of the NTS TV Channel Daniyar Isanov was severely beaten in Bishkek. Four young people asked him to identify himself before beating him. The Journalists Association and the Public Foundation of Media Representative demanded on 29 March the authorities must investigate into the case and find those responsible, because the other journalists, Kairat Birimkilov of the State TV, was also beaten in Bishkek on 16 March. On 31 March, Talantbek Sopuyev of the September TV Channel was severely beaten in Jalal-Abad by participants of the rally For Unity and Stability in Kyrgyzstan. Regnum, SNGnews, AKIpress

26. On 28 March, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said he was waiting for nominations from the opposition to the working group to prepare a new draft of the constitution. However, the group would be formed even there would be no suggestions from the opposition. Kabar, 24.kg

27. On 28 March, Bakyt Beshimov, vice president for academic affairs at the American University in Central Asia, said at a Sasakawa Peace Foundation lecture in Washington, DC, that Bakiyev will have no choice but to leave his post after the April demonstrations. He also praised the revolution's democratic spirit and the civil society that has flourished in his country, "Our Central Asian neighbors followed Moscow's lead and called the colour revolutions instruments of U.S. control". Others "stressed that the Kyrgyz events are a dangerous source of instability". Beshimov strongly disagreed, "The main source of instability in Central Asia is the absence of power transfer and hostility toward dissent" and he prefers the instability of the hurricane to the stability of the graveyard that you find in some our neighboring states". EDM, IPS

28. On 28 March, Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov stated he left the Movement For Reforms! and set up the new organization United Kyrgyzstan, which has an aim to arrange a dialogue between the authorities and the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan'. According to him, Almaz Atambayev, Roza Otunbayeva, Dooronbek Sadyrbayev, and Edil Baisalov, who signed a special statement, also left the movement together with him. However, Co-Chairwoman of For Reforms! Asiya Sasykbayeva said the same day that Baisalov, who is in the US now, did not leave the movement. Kabar, 24.kg

29. On 28 March, Political Analyst Valentin Bogatyryov said about the actions of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' by Feliks Kulov: it should not put the country before a black and white option, after such a choice, there could be a war in the country, not politics. BPC

30. On 28 March, Minister Ednan Karabayev offered at a meeting of the foreign ministers of Central Asia with representatives of the European Union in Astana to hold a EC-Central Asia summit on Energy in Kyrgyzstan and to open the Energy Academy in Bishkek. "Expert-Kazakhstan" reported on 26 March that Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Moscow just before the meeting in Astana and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov visits Kazakhstan just after the meeting. Kabar, 24.kg, EK, Euobserver, Politcom, RIA Novosti

31. On 28 March, Minister of Culture and Information Sultan Rayev said the Kyrgyzkino Concern should be included in the ministry and the concern director, Zamir Eraliyev, replied it would bring the Kyrgyz cinema to regress. Kabar

32. On 28 March, Director of the State agency for Religious Affairs Toigonbai Kalmatov said his agency would pay a Hajj travel expenses to one relative of each pilgrim, killed in a car crash in Saudi Arabia on 12 January 2007. Kabar

33. On 29 March, Political Correspondent of the Moscow-based newspaper "Vremya Novostei" Arkady Dubnov said in an interview with the Agency 24.kg that a political organization of Kyrgyzstan has no place for decency and fidelity to principle, so, a new government of Almaz Atambayev would not live for a long. 24.kg

34. On 29 March, ex-Prime Minister Amangeldi Muraliyev said appointment of Almaz Atambayev was a serious decision but it was made a little bit late. However, it shows that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev concerns very much on unity of the country and preventing bloodshed, it deserves a respect. AKIpress

35. On 29 March, Director of the Moscow-based Institute for Political Researches Sergei Markov said in an interview with RIA Novosti that a decision by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to form a coalition government would not stop the current crisis and just the opposite, will aggravate it. RIA Novosti

36. On 29 March, Roza Otunbayeva stated she was not agree with the experts who see only the black things in the appointment of Almaz Atambayev and he must not be criticized for it. According to her, Atambayev wants to settle the crisis and his decision to lead the government is the last attempt to prevent a strong confrontation, he wants to realize the opposition plans. BPC

37. On 29 March, Edil Baisalov said people should say good luck to Almaz Atambayev and ask him to have strength of mind. According to Baisalov, the previous prime minister, Feliks Kulov, brought the country next to collapse by his conciliatory policy; such people as Kulov, who were against the public rallies last November, who organized bugging the opposition, who nullified the constitution adopted in November, have no moral right to speak about democracy and constitutional reforms. AKIpress

38. On 29 March, leader of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov said in an interview with the Moscow-based Kreml.Org site his confrontation with the corrupt system began in the Akayev times, he wanted to conduct system reforms in the politics, economy and the social sphere and now, he sees his position was right. Kreml.Org

39. On 29 March, Erica Marat wrote in an article posted on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor, "Kulov's approval rating has fallen considerably since the presidential elections in July 2005. His sweeping criticism of Bakiyev did not rescue his popularity. Although Kulov is one of the potential presidential candidates, there are increasing worries among the Kyrgyz public about his aggressive political stance. As one Kyrgyz expert told Jamestown, 'It is uncertain whether Kulov will become another Putin or Hitler, should he become a president'." EDM

40. On 29 March, the movement For Reforms! presented the final version of its constitution draft, and sent it to the president for consideration. 24.kg

41. On 29 March, State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov told journalists if somebody thinks that the president has united team, it is not true. 24.kg

42. On 30 March, The Christian Science Monitor wrote on the situation in Central Asia, "The game in Central Asia is very much about competition between the powers. But this time the countries of the region are players themselves, using the contradictions between Russia, the US, the European Union, and China for their own benefit. It's becoming very complicated…. Kyrgyzstan is resisting Russian pressure to evict the US from Manas air base, in what experts say is a growing tendency of Central Asian leaders to play the big powers off against each other". CSM

43. On 30 March, leader of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov departed to Moscow to meet Russian businesspersons and some politicians to discuss current situation in Kyrgyzstan. Regnum

44. On 30 March, leader of the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov said in an interview with Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" that early presidential election should be held in Kyrgyzstan and Kurmanbek Bakiyev should participate in it as an ordinary candidate, not as the incumbent official. NG

45. On 30 March, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said in an interview with Russian "Kommersant" that he is not a partisan of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, their opinions are different on many issues. According to him, his friends and others criticize his intention to find common platform with Bakiyev, however, the nation does not want escalation of tensions, and somebody must find a way of peaceful settlement of the conflict. Kommersant

46. On 30 March, Ulan Melisbek, founder of the internet-newspaper Gazeta.Kg, said in an interview with the Agency 24.kg that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has no moral right to rule the country after the two years full of intrigues and chronic inability to meet his promises. According to him, Bakiyev is not respected in the country because has no leadership ability to consolidate the society. 24.kg

47. On 30 March, Sanobar Shermatova of RIA Novosti wrote in her commentary that recent events in Kyrgyzstan show that elections cannot democratize the traditional societies, such societies must be modernized first. RIA Novosti

48. On 31 March, the new movement For Political Stability and Unity held a rally on the central square of Bishkek against the mass protests planned for 11 April by the United Front 'For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan' Feliks Kulov. Kabar, AKIpress, BPC

49. On 31 March, President Kurmanbek Bakiev decorated President of the World Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) Joseph Sepp Blatter in Bishkek with the Kyrgyz Order of Danaker. The decree on it was signed on 2 December 2006. Kabar

50. Appointments and dismissals: On 27 March, Mayor of the Karakol town Orozbek Bekturov resigned saying he was fed up of fighting corruption. On 28 March, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Nurbek Aaliyev instead of him. On 29 March, the parliament approved appointment of Elmurza Satybaldiev prosecutor general and Bakiyev signed a decree on his appointment the same day. On 30 March, Bakiyev appointed first deputy head of the presidential administration Medet Sadyrkulov head of the governmental staff in a rank of minister, replacing Tynychbek Tabyldiyev. On 30 March, new Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev said he would not nominate First Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov to the post. 24.kg, Kabar, AKIpress

Naryn AIYP.

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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 18-24 Mar 2007

2007-03-25T19:09:17Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 18 - 24 MARCH 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. The For Reforms! movement begins negotiations with president.
2. Parliament cancels results of an auction.
3. Officials sympathize with the opposition United Front - a Russian newspaper.
4. Kyrgyzstan pays more than the US for a death at the US airbase
5. President receives an opposition leader.
6. 'The future is no longer orange'.
7. Opposition prepares a new constitution.
8. President agrees adopting a new pre-concerted constitution.
9. Kyrgyzstan marks an anniversary of the Tulip Revolution.
10. Also in the week of 18 - 24 March 2007…

19 March, Monday:

1. THE FOR REFORMS! MOVEMENT BEGINS NEGOTIATIONS WITH PRESIDENT. Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev, delegated by the For Reforms! movement, met in Bishkek on 19 March with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and discussed the current political situation in the country. Sariyev said after the meeting the president is ready to conduct cardinal reforms but rejects an idea of early presidential election. The same day, the movement took a decision it would conduct official negotiations if the president says publicly that he is ready for reforms. Before it, some members of the movement criticized the chairman of the movement, Almaz Atambayev, for his meetings with Bakiyev last week when he agreed with the president to begin a dialogue with the opposition on 21 March. They even stated there could be a dialogue only about the early presidential election. Head of the staff of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Omurbek Subanaliyev said on 20 March the president was already ready to betray his government and to form a new one. 24.kg, BPC, AKIpress

2. PARLIAMENT CANCELS RESULTS OF AN AUCTION. The Kyrgyz parliament took on 19 March a special decision obliging the Prosecutor General Office to file criminal proceedings against officials responsible for illegal sell of the Kristall plant of polycrystalline silicon on 5 March and recommended taking similar actions against officials of the Supreme Court and other courts, who allowed the sell out. According to the decision, the government should also punish officials who did not implement the presidential decree of 3 March 2007 to stop the auction. The issue of non-confidence to First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov, who led a special governmental commission on the problem, was left for the next day and the deputies could not collect enough votes to send him in resignation.

Usenov himself said at a parliamentary session on 19 March he suggested the president to dismiss the chief editor of the governmental "Kyrgyz Tuusu" daily for not informing people about the auction, and to consider responsibility of bailiff Bakyt Jakybaliyev who did not inform the Justice Ministry on the auction and the head of the State Agency of Financial Control Yuruslan Toichubekov. However, Bolot Sherniyazov, chairman of the parliamentary commission on the issue, said such actions of the government legitimize the sell out itself. He also said the government decided on 17 March negotiating with a winner of the auction, which also was an illegal move. The Citizens against Corruption non-governmental organization said on 20 March the leadership and workers of the plant did not know that their state-owned enterprise became a private one and was sold out. Kabar, 24.kg, Tazar, AKIpress

20 March, Tuesday:

3. OFFICIALS SYMPATHIZE WITH THE OPPOSITION UNITED FRONT - A RUSSIAN NEWSPAPER. Head of the staff of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Omurbek Subanaliyev said in an interview with Russian "Kommersant" on 20 March that dismissal of Prosecutor General Kambaraly Kongantiyev would not stop their plans to begin mass protests in the country. According to him, an early presidential election only could improve the situation in the country and the front set already up 51 offices in different regions, which would begin rallies in the provinces on 9 April followed by actions in Bishkek on 11 April. According to other sources in the front, the paper continues, state officials began contacting with the front and expressing their regard to its leader Feliks Kulov. However, another opposition leader, Almazbek Atambayev, is for dialogue with the president and demands finding the constitution, adopted on 30 December, illegal one and to appoint several opposition politicians ministers in a new government. Kommersant

4. KYRGYZSTAN PAYS MORE THAN THE US FOR A DEATH AT THE US AIRBASE. Galina Skripkina, the lawyer for Marina Ivanova, a widow of Aleksander Ivanov, who was shot to dead at the US airbase at the Manas airport near Bishkek, said on 20 March that Aircraft Petrol Management, employer of Ivanov, agreed paying her 2,039,380 soms (about $52,000) in compensation. Ivanova sued the company and a trial began at the Pervomai District Court of Bishkek on 2 March and the two sides bargained for two weeks. Skripkina said on 12 March the U.S. military had offered to pay the family about 81,000 soms in compensation. "We assess the proposed sum as humiliating," she stressed then.

The same day, on 20 March, consultations took place between the Kyrgyz and US sides at the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bishkek demanded US Sergeant Zachary Hatfield, who killed Aleksander Ivanov on 6 December 2006, must not leave Kyrgyzstan until the investigation is over. On 19 March, the Kyrgyz Prosecutor General Office announced it sent an official request to competent U.S. bodies demanding to hand over Hatfield to Kyrgyzstan to be tried. However, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev told the parliament on 22 March that an agreement on the Manas airbase between Kyrgyzstan and the US allows the States acting at its own discretion. Kabar, AKIpress, 24.kg, IHT, NYT

21 March, Wednesday:

5. PRESIDENT RECEIVES AN OPPOSITION LEADER. Co-Chairman of the opposition For Reforms! movement Almaz Atambayev had a meeting with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev in Bishkek on 21 March and informed the president on the measures the movement considers urgent to prevent deepening of the current crisis. The sides agreed the constitutional reforms should be continued, the opposition should take seats in the government, and disagreed issues must be discussed by the sides constantly. Bakiyev suggested Atambaev to discuss with members of the movement the results of the meeting and the president himself would conduct consultation with different political parties and movements as well.

Atambayev said on 22 March he satisfied with the meeting because the president showed his understanding that acute reforms are needed and agreed to almost all opposition demands. However, head of the staff of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Omurbek Subanaliyev said in an interview with the "Agym" newspaper on 23 March that Bakiyev plays game with the opposition again and offers positions to anybody who is against Feliks Kulov. Atambayev replied in an interview with the 24.kg agency the same day he never clung to official positions and resigned from a ministerial post in 2006 voluntarily, unlike Kulov. 24.kg, Kabar, Regnum, Prime-Tass, AKIpress, BPC

22 March, Thursday:

6. 'THE FUTURE IS NO LONGER ORANGE'. "The Economist" wrote in its editorial on 22 March, "If you joined or even just watched the revolutions in eastern Europe in 1989-91, life may have started to look pretty dull soon afterwards. The prospect of recapturing the heady spirit of those days a decade or so later was bound to seem tempting—but trying to relive your youth can be as disappointing in politics as it is in romance. The “colour revolutions” of 2000-2005 in Georgia, Ukraine, Serbia, Lebanon and (not much mentioned these days) Kyrgyzstan did indeed promise more of that same collective shudder of joy that had made the earth move from Berlin to Vladivostok. Here were more hopeful, patriotic, idealistic and photogenic youngsters trying to topple more cruel, deceitful, incompetent and unphotogenic oldies. They had everything going for them. And yet, somehow, these later revolutions guttered or failed". Economist

7. OPPOSITION PREPARES A NEW CONSTITUTION. Deputy of Parliament, member of the For Reforms! movement Kubatbek Baibolov presented on 22 March a new version of the constitution prepared by a group of lawyers with participation of opposition politicians. The draft was presented to President Kurmanbek Bakiyev too and Baibolov said it takes into consideration all the political, social, cultural characteristics of Kyrgyzstan in the transition period. According to him, the country cannot cope with the problems without modernization. Baibolov said on 23 March the constitutional reforms should precede forming a new coalition government because no reforms could be conducted under the current constitution. 24.kg, BPC, AKIpress

23 March, Friday:

8. PRESIDENT AGREES ADOPTING A NEW PRE-CONCERTED CONSTITUTION. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev addressed the nation via TV in the evening of 23 March, his address was devoted formally to the second anniversary of the March revolution of 2005. Bakiyev said he agrees setting up a working group to prepare a new version of the constitution, which would please all the political forces in the country and to adopt it in the parliament or via nationwide referendum. According to him, he would sign a decree on the working group after receiving suggestions from different groups on the constitution and all the amendments must go through all necessary proceeding including the Constitutional Court.

Bakiyev also said there is now more freedom and more democracy in Kyrgyzstan two years after the revolution and Kyrgyzstan, as a leading democracy in the region, should demonstrate how the political crises must be overcome and a war of constitution must be over. He said all the sides, "we all, both the opposition and the parliament", were guilty for hasty adoption of the two constitutions last November and December and now, the mistakes must be corrected. According to Bakiyev, any issues could be settled through negotiations if the information wars are stopped.

Earlier the same day, Bakiyev said there should be not more than nine people in the working group. Deputy of Parliament Iskhak Masaliev said the same day, before the presidential address, that content of the both November and December constitutions were the same, but the latter was better. Deputy Kubatbek Baibolov said after the address he did not see real aspiration of the president for reforms. Head of the staff of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Omurbek Subanaliyev said the president was in his usual role. Former Prime Minister Amangeldi Muraliyev said Bakiyev tries to survive. Member of the Fore Reforms! Movement Edil Baisalov said it was good that Bakiyev admitted his mistakes but to leave the constitutional reforms for the Constitutional Court means to leave it for the autumn. According to him, there is a shortage of time and to stop mass protests, Bakiyev must appoint an opposition politician to head the government. Almaz Atambayev mentioned people need concrete steps to prove that the presidential intentions are sincere. President, Interfax, 24.kg, Kabar, AKIpress, RIA Novosti, BPC

24 March, Saturday:

9. KYRGYZSTAN MARKS AN ANNIVERSARY OF THE TULIP REVOLUTION. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said at a festive meeting in Bishkek on 24 March, devoted to the second anniversary of the revolution of 24 March 2005, that it was a unique event, it did not happen in a day, it was prepared by the entire mistaken development of the country for years. According to Bakiyev, some analysts predicted collapse of the country, a civil war, decay of economy, but they were wrong. The revolution created high expectations, there are still problems and unresolved issues, but there would not be any coups, there is a legal power, there are laws and the people will to keep stability. As the president, I would take any measures to secure stability, to keep civic concord, Bakiyev said. According to him, he is ready to discuss any problems with anybody round a clock, but he rejects a language of ultimatums and confrontation, a language of war.

Two rounds of parliamentary elections were held in Kyrgyzstan on 27 February and 13 March 2005. There were more than 400 candidates for 75 seats in the parliament and most of them were won by pro-governmental politicians including the son and daughter of then President Askar Akayev. Observers found numerous violations and supporters of defeated candidates began protest actions around the country, which led to the events called by the Western political analysts The Tulip Revolution. A crowd, gathered on the square in front of the government building in Bishkek on 24 March 2005, took it by storm in the afternoon. Akayev, who left the building in the morning to meet with the Japanese ambassador in the outside residence, did not return and fled the country the same day with whole his family. He signed a resignation act in Moscow on 5 April 2005. Kabar, AKIpress, RIA Novosti, KW

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 18 - 24 MARCH 2007:

10. On 18 March, Vladimir Baluta, head of the Ukrainian trade mission in Geneva, said Kyiv is to give Kyrgyzstan $27 million but as a technical assistance, not a repayment of the old Soviet debt, to sign a protocol on joining the World Trade Organization. EI, Kommersant

11. On 19 March, Aleksei Malashenko of the Moscow Carnegie Center said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that Kyrgyzstan is a single country in Central Asia with some signs of democracy, people of the country are free but it is cost something and they pay for it a price. BPC

12. On 19 March, Sergei Mikheev of the Moscow-based Center for Political Technologies said in an interview with "Strana" that Feliks Kulov has not become a leader of the Kyrgyz opposition so far and it seems he has some agreements with both President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and the Russian establishment, which put pressure on the Kyrgyz authorities to prevent a civil war. Strana

13. On 19 March, Oleg Vernik, member of a mission of the TransEuropean Dialogue NGO network, which assesses a level of democracy in the European and Asian states and the headquarters of which is in Italy, said in Bishkek that public protests in a country do not necessarily lead to worsening of the investment climate in that country. He also said on 22 March the Kyrgyz parliament adopted a new constitution last December to survive itself, however, the country needs a stabile and long-term constitution. Another member of the mission, Mateusz Piskorsky, said there are democratic principles working in Kyrgyzstan but the reforms should be brought to their logical end. 24.kg, Kabar

14. On 19 March, Deputy of Parliament Kanybek Imanaliyev said at a parliamentary session that only three heads of state in the world had and have so large powers - Saddam Hussein of Iraq, Saparmurad Niyazov of Turkmenistan and Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kyrgyzstan. 24.kg

15. On 19 March, Russian Vice Prime Minister Sergei Naryshkin said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin that a package of documents on setting up a new customs union were sent to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan too because they could join the organization after Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan form it. President, RG, Kabar

16. On 19 March, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote that investigation into the 2002 violence in which six demonstrators were killed in the Aksy region is stalled due to lack of transparency of the judicial system, and its subservience to political interests. IWPR NBCA

17. On 19 March, Deputy of Parliament Isa Omurkulov told a parliamentary session that the Kant Plant of Cement and Slate evaded paying 81 million soms (about $2 million) to the state budget and 45 out of 160 its suppliers evade taxes. Another parliamentarian Davran Sabirov accused at the same meeting Minister of Industry, Energy and Fuel Resources Igor Chudinov, attended the session, of illegal selling of 115 kilometers of pipelines and embezzlement of 81 million soms while he was the head of the Kyrgyzgaz Company. 24.kg

18. On 20 March, the newspaper "Agym" reported Deputy of Parliament Rashid Tagayev said during a recent meeting with State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is the number one corrupt official in the country and Madumarov could not answer anything. Agym, 24.kg

19. On 20 March, Co-Chairwoman of the Asaba Party Roza Otunbayeva said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that people do not trust promises of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev who does not keep his words. BPC

20. On 20 March, Sanobar Shermatova of RIA Novosti said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that the Kyrgyz opposition should stop blackmailing the authorities by protest rallies and if the United Front of Feliks Kulov insists on it, supporters of Kulov could marginalize themselves. BPC

21. On 20 March, Russian "Kommersant" reported that residents of the Aksy District told President Kurmanbek Bakiyev at a meeting devoted to the fifth anniversary of the Aksy tragedy, held on 17 March, they would join the opposition United Front of Feliks Kulov if Bakiyev does not dismiss Prosecutor General Kambaraly Kongantiyev, and Bakiev did it on 19 March. Kommersant

22. On 20 March, Director of the Kyrgyz Drug Control Agency Alymbai Sultanov and Regional Representative for Central Asia of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime James Callahan discussed in Bishkek aspects of their future cooperation. Kabar

23. On 20 March, Chairman of the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) at the Kyrgyz Chamber of Trade and Commerce Temir Kenenbayev said expanding of activity of the ICA could lessen corruption in the Kyrgyz judicial system. According to him, a recent poll conducted by the ICA showed 70 percent of the businesspersons in the country do not trust the state courts. Kabar, 24.kg

24. On 20 March, Soloist of the Russian rock group City 312 Aya Nazarenko said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club their Moscow fellows are fed up hearing that the group members are from Bishkek, but they would continue telling people that Bishkek is their home city. "312" is an international phone code of Bishkek. BPC

25. On 21 March, leader of the party Union of Democratic Forces, Deputy of Parliament Kubatbek Baibolov said he did not expect much from a dialogue with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. According to him, it is hard expecting reforms from the non-reformist authorities. 24.kg

26. On 21 March, Viktoria Panfilova reported in Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta", new countries, most likely Mongolia rather than Afghanistan, India, Iran or Pakistan, could join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization at its next summit to be held in Bishkek on 16 August. NG

27. On 21 March, Russian "Kommersant" reported, "One of the most important issues in Russian-Kyrgyz relations remains the closing of an American military base at Bishkek's Manas airport". Kommersant

28. On 21 March, Nurshat Ababakirov wrote in an article posted on the site of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, "Referred to both by the opposition and the government as a 'national tragedy', the Aksy events still remain politically and legally unevaluated, despite President Bakiev's initial promise to finalize the investigate within several months…. It seems that President Bakiev will not muster enough political will to solve the issue, since it may entail a further loss of support and endanger his position in power". CACI

29. On 21 March, former Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev said in an interview with the Information Center of the Moscow Lomonosov University that a decision by the Kyrgyz authorities to join the HIPC initiative offered by the World Bank and The International Monetary Fund was a sign that the authorities were not able to pull the country out of the current crisis. IAC MGU

30. On 21 March, the day of the Nooruz Holiday, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev walked around the central square of Bishkek where celebrations were going on, took part in an arm wrestling fight defeating the coach of the national team, who gave away as Bakiyev noted, and returned to work. The same day in the evening, the popular Russian rock group City 312, members of which are from Bishkek, gave an open-air concert on the central square. Soloist of the group Aya Nazarenko became The Honored Cultural Worker of Kyrgyzstan on 5 March. Kabar, AKIpress

31. On 22 March, Daniel Sershen wrote in a commentary, posted on the site EurasiaNet, "Despite what some observers may think, though, Kyrgyzstan is no basket case. The struggle for power here is more transparent and competitive than anywhere else in the region. There exists a solid foundation of civil liberties – including the freedom of assembly and expression – that Kyrgyz citizens have come to take for granted. But the line between taking liberties for granted and just plain taking liberties is blurred in Kyrgyzstan. Putting up a wall between the two should be the next task for the country’s democracy-builders". EurasiaNet

32. On 22 March, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said in an interview with Moscow-based "Vremya Novostei" that such politicians as Feliks Kulov, who plans mass protest actions, should realize a responsibility for stability in the country. According to Bakiyev, he as the president, did not meddle in activity of the government led by Kulov, which resigned last December, however, he is ready discussing any problem with anybody. VN, Kabar

33. On 22 March, Feliks Kulov said in an interview with Moscow-based "Vremya Novostei", published in the same issue that he himself resigned from the post of prime minister last January, nobody dismissed him. He said it irritated his supporters and they intended beginning protest actions, so he had to lead their actions not to let them take their course. According to Kulov, the authorities cannot use force against the opposition - to shoot at people would mean an end for the authorities themselves. VN

34. On 22 March, head of the staff of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Omurbek Subanaliev informed Mayor of Bishkek Arstanbek Nogoyev and other authorities of the city that more than 50 people would begin non-stop protest hunger strikes in Bishkek on 5 April demanding early presidential election and real constitutional reforms. 24.kg

35. On 22 March, the deputy to Feliks Kulov in the Ar-Namys Party, Emil Aliyev, said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club they plan gathering up to 100,000 people in a rally on the first day of protest actions early in April. According to him, one of the leaders of the opposition Almazbek Atambayev has daily informal meetings with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. BPC

36. On 22 March, human rights activists Tolekan Ismailova, Aziza Abdirasulova and Sartbai Jaichybekov urged both the authorities and the opposition to stop confrontation and sit down to a bargaining table. 24.kg

37. On 22 March, Valentin Bogatyryov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that the United Front of Feliks Kulov raises issues, which cannot be settled now deliberately, so they must insisting on mass protests not to loose their face, however, there is little aspiration among the ordinary people to participate in new rallies. BPC

38. On 22 March, Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev said the Bishkek City authorities gave a company belonged to First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov 47 plots of land in the city suburb free of charge, while their price is 4.7 million soms ($120,000) total. 24.kg

39. On 22 March, former Commander of the National Guards General Abdygul Chotbayev said in an interview with the "Litsa" newspaper he intended arresting President Askar Akayev a month prior to the revolution of 24 March 2005, but the presidential aide, Bolot Januzakov, did allow him entering nit the presidential office. 24.kg

40. On 22 March, Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev said at a parliamentary session Kyrgyzstan owes about $10 million for membership dues in the international organizations and pays now to those organizations only, which are vitally needed for the country. Kabar

41. On 22 March, Vice Speaker of the Parliament Kubanychbek Isabekov told journalists in Bishkek that Russian Gazprom is ready investing $100 million for prospecting oil fields in the southern Batken and Jalal-Abad provinces of Kyrgyzstan. Kabar

42. On 22 March, it became known at a meeting of Prime Minister Azim Isabekov with head of a mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Zlato Jigic that the IOM allots Kyrgyzstan $1 million to support passport departments of the country. Kabar

43. On 23 March, Erica Marat wrote in an article posted on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor that Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek "Bakiyev's effort to prevent the mass demonstrations next month is one of the positive outcomes of the latest tensions between the opposition and the president…. If the opposition is successful this time, Kyrgyzstan may once again become a Central Asian model of democracy". EDM

44. On 23 March, the parliament did not support an initiative of Deputy Kadyrjan Batyrov to grant an official status to the Uzbek language in the areas of Kyrgyzstan where ethnic Uzbeks live. However, 29 parliamentarian voted for the initiative. 24.kg

45. On 23 March, Chairman of the parliamentary Committee on Defense, Security, Informative Policy, Law and Order Rashid Tagayev said in an interview with the 24.kg Agency, "I think that the U.S. airbase Manas is outdated in Kyrgyzstan and it is time to remove it from the Kyrgyz territory. In April 2007, I will put forward the issue on the committee session". According to him, "one of the reasons of religious extremism intensification in Kyrgyzstan is a U.S. airbase presence". 24.kg

46. On 23 March, Prime Minister Azim Isabekov said at a meeting in Bishkek with representatives of the donor countries and organizations that Kyrgyzstan would attract now foreign assistance in a way to eliminate a risk of foreign debt increase. Kabar, 24.kg

47. On 23 March, representatives of non-governmental organizations held a picket in front of the parliament building in Bishkek protesting against the secularism notion was dropped from the constitution, against abortion ban, against decriminalization of polygamy. 24.kg, AKIpress

48. On 23 March, Deputy Minister of Health Care Madamin Karatayev said there are 112 people contracted with tuberculosis per 100,000 population in Kyrgyzstan now and according to the World Health Organization, 50 per 100,000 is considered a dangerous figure. According to Karatayev, the figure was 53 in 1983 and 190 in 1993 in Kyrgyzstan. 24.kg, Regnum

49. On 24 March, the third international kickboxing tournament President Cup was held in Bishkek. Prominent world champion in boxing Konstantin Tszyu attended, invited to Bishkek by another world champion in boxing Orzubek Nazarov from Kyrgyzstan. AKIpress, Sport.Kg

50. Appointments and dismissals: on 19 March, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev dismissed Kambaraly Kongantiyev from the post of prosecutor general. On 20 March, Bakiyev appointed Elmurza Satybaldiyev acting prosecutor general, then cancelled the decree the same day in the evening and then enabled it again next morning. On 20 March, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Janat Beishenov resigned expressing his disagreement with the policy of the authorities. On 23 March, Bakiyev appointed Kanybek Joroev the presidential envoy to the parliament. Kabar, 24.kg, АКИpress, Интерфакс

Naryn AIYP.

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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 11-17 Mar 2007

2007-03-18T13:08:25Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 11 - 17 MARCH 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. The Aksy Events would be re-investigated.
2. Friction between Kyrgyzstan and the West matures.
3. Disagreements among the opposition leaders.
4. One of the Kambar-Ata stations could be built by selling the Bishkek heating station.
5. A currency crisis could happen in Kyrgyzstan - expert.
6. Kyrgyzstan would not revise an agreement with the US on the airbase.
7. Kyrgyz leadership has no common approach to the Kumtor gold project.
8. President takes part in a rally organized by opposition.
9. Also in the week of 11 - 17 March 2007…

13 February, Tuesday:

1. THE AKSY EVENTS WOULD BE RE-INVESTIGATED. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said in Bishkek on 13 March during a meeting with human rights activists he would take part in a meeting devoted to the fifth anniversary of the Aksy tragedy, to be held in the Jalal-Abad Province. Director of the Citizens against Corruption human rights organization Tolekan Ismailova said it could be a beginning of national reconciliation. According to her, Bakiyev also urged leader of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Feliks Kulov taking part in the meeting too, however, Kulov replied he would not go to Aksy and would participate in a requiem meeting to be held in Bishkek.

Councilor to the president Abibula Abdugaparov said at the meeting of Bakiyev with human rights activists that the Prosecutor General Office cancelled its previous decision to close the criminal case connected with the Aksy events and would re-investigate into it. Ismailova, head of the other human rights organization Aziza Abdirasulova and Lawyer Syrtbai Jaichybekov urged the president to explain his role in the Aksy events, not to turn them into a political case and bring the criminal investigation up to the end. They met with Prosecutor General Kambaraly Kongantiyev with the same propose on 11 March too and Abdugaparov said a decision to re-investigate into the case was taken on 12 March. To receive the text of the appeal, please send a request to IdinovN@tiscali.cz. Kabar, 24.kg, BPC

2. FRICTION BETWEEN KYRGYZSTAN AND THE WEST MATURES. The Kyrgyz government rejected on 20 February the HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) initiative proposed by the World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to relieve foreign debt. Both non-governmental organizations and some members of the Kyrgyz government said it was a new method of enslavement and that the international financial institutions were also responsible for so big foreign debt of Kyrgyzstan (about $2,000 million), because suggested the Kyrgyz leadership taking more and more loans during the 15 last years. According to them, a significant part of the loaned money was spent for foreign consultants.

An IMF mission led by Paulo Neuhaus visited Kyrgyzstan on 28 February - 13 March. When they had a meeting with First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov in Bishkek on 5 March, the latter said Kyrgyzstan intended appealing to the WB and IMF asking to write off the debt without the HIPC and cut it by a sum spent for western consultants. He said it is about $200 million and he realized that IMF and WB should have a good will for it. However, Neuhaus told journalists in Bishkek on 13 March that Kyrgyzstan is not poor enough to take part in the other debt relieve program, MDRI (Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative), and added he got to know about the Usenov's intention from press only. He also said Kyrgyzstan should now making strategic planning with admittance of consequences of the refusal of the HIPC. Both the Kyrgyz government and the Ministry of Economic Development stated on 14 March that Usenov made the proposal at a meeting held on 5 March and the IMF mission could have said they had no good will to write off the debt without misleading people.

Before, some Kyrgyz officials criticized the IMF more severely and unveiled other figures. On 7 March, Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov said the IMF is an organization like a mafia and if the issue of foreign debt was under his jurisdiction when he was the prosecutor general in 2005, he would have proved that a half of the money given Kyrgyzstan did not reach the country and would have investigated into the corruption in the donor organizations. Usenov said about $400 million of the loans given Kyrgyzstan were spent for the western consultants, some other experts said big money was laundered in Kyrgyzstan and former Kyrgyz leader Turdakun Usubaliyev said the international financial organizations should forgive Kyrgyzstan all its foreign debt as a good will gesture, because they gave Kyrgyzstan the loans on tough conditions sometimes.

President Kurmanbek Bakiyev tried smoothing down the situation - he said on 9 March during a meeting in Bishkek with senior adviser of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia Department David Owen that productive cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the IMF should be continued. However, Hedi Wegener, head of the delegation of the German Bundestag, who met with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Azim Isabekov on 12 March, told journalists at the Bishkek Press Club next day that the meeting displeased her. Other members of the delegation said Isabekov was not able answering their questions and stopped the meeting when the questions became more inconvenient. However, they also said they displeased a meeting with opposition leader Feliks Kulov too. Kabar, AKIpress, 24.kg, Analitika

14 February, Wednesday:

3. DISAGREEMENTS AMONG THE OPPOSITION LEADERS. Chairman of the Social-Democratic Party (SDP) Almaz Atambayev said on 14 March he agreed with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to hold on 21 March a meeting between the president and leaders of the parties Asaba, Ata-Meken, Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) and SDP, united in the movement For Reforms! UDF leader Kubatbek Baibolov replied the same day the movement did not discuss any necessity of meeting with the president and co-coordinator of the movement Omurbek Abdrakmanov stated there should not have been any separate meetings with Bakiyev. State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov said on 15 March any problem could be resolved through negotiations but the meeting with the president was postponed on request of the opposition.

Some opposition politicians perceived the fact that Atambayev met with the president separately as an attempt of the authorities to split the opposition. Abdrakmanov said on 15 March, that an offer to meet is a trick of the authorities aimed at their own interests. Atambayev admitted on 16 March that he called Bakiyev a politically dead person last October, but the November rallies cleared everything and he was mistaken both in Bakiyev and Kulov. According to Atambayev, the movement For Reforms! demands always either reforms or the Bakiyev's resignation, so, it left some space for dialogue. Representative of the United Front (UF) For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Azamat Kalman said on 15 March nobody from the UF would go meeting Bakiyev. According to him, a single possible compromise would the resignation of President Bakiyev. Edil Baisalov said the same day it is like a play in a good and a bad policeman, where a good one is the movement For Reforms! and a bad one - OF. AKIpress, 24.kg, Kabar, BPC, Tazar, VB

4. ONE OF THE KAMBAR-ATA STATIONS COULD BE BUILT BY SELLING THE BISHKEK HEATING STATION. Deputy of Parliament Kamchybek Tashiyev said in an interview with the Kabar Agency on 14 March that his parliamentary committee agrees with the government that the Bishkek Power and Heating Station should be privatized. However, he disagrees that the Kambar-Ata hydro power stations should also be privatized, because they have strategic importance for Kyrgyzstan. According to Tashiyev, the government gives $40 to $50 million State subsidies for the Bishkek station and if it is privatized, construction of the second Kambar-Ata station could be completed in 3-4 years for the money saved. He added it is needed $1,500 million to finish construction of Kambar-Ata-1, but did not say anything about rise of tariffs if the Bishkek station is privatized.

First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov also said on 15 March the Bishkek station should be sold. According to him, a Kyrgyz-Kazakh-Russian joint venture would be set up to finish the construction of two Kambar-Ata stations. According to him, about $2,000 million is needed for it and the Kyrgyz side has already invested $150 million. However, the parliament should allow privatizing them to drag foreign investment. AKIpress, 24.kg, Kabar

5. A CURRENCY CRISIS COULD HAPPEN IN KYRGYZSTAN - EXPERT. Director of the Bishkek Center for Economic Analyses Sapar Orozbakov said in an interview with the Agency AKIpress on 14 March that National Bank began on 12 January 2007 selling foreign currencies in the Kyrgyz market, which it did not do the whole 2006. It could be a sign that foreign investors began withdrawing their short-term capitals from Kyrgyzstan, and if so, Orozbakov says, there could be a crisis soon. The 1998 financial crisis in the Eastern Asian states also began when investors withdrew their capitals and the crisis did not reach Kyrgyzstan due to the country's financial market was not developed enough. In the year 2006, the situation was the opposite - a headache of the National Bank was not to strengthen the som too much because gastarbeiters brought too much foreign currency to Kyrgyzstan, expert says. The Economic Directorate of the National Bank responded on 16 March that there is not yet enough data on the financial inflows and outflows from Kyrgyzstan for January-February 2007. AKIpress

15 February, Thursday:

6. KYRGYZSTAN WOULD NOT REVISE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE US ON THE AIRBASE. Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev said at a meeting in Bishkek on 15 March with US Transportation Command Chief, Gen. Norton Schwartz that Kyrgyz Prosecution insists upon additional investigation into the case with participation of US Sergeant Zakari Hatfield, who shot Kyrgyz citizen Alexander Ivanov at the US airbase near Bishkek on 6 December 2006. The day before, on 14 March, Karabayev gave a note to US Ambassador Marie Jovanovich urging that Hatfield should not leave the Kyrgyz territory until the investigation is over. Spokesman for the Kyrgyz General Prosecutor's office Toktogul Kakchekeyev said on 16 March the U.S. airman committed a murder, "Our investigation has concluded that it clearly was murder through exceeding the limits of self-defence". Galina Skripkina, the lawyer for Ivanov's family, said on 12 March the U.S. military had offered to pay the family about 81,000 soms, or about $2,000, in compensation. "We assess the proposed sum as humiliating," said Skripkina.

Karabayev told journalists after the meeting with Schwartz, "Speaking of the presence of U.S. military personnel in our country, we are not referring to the revision of the bilateral agreement, but to the need to resolve all existing issues related to that presence". The Kyrgyz parliament asked the government last January to consider expediency of presence of the US militaries on the Kyrgyz territory. Regnum, RIA Novosti, IHT, Kabar, AKIpress

7. KYRGYZ LEADERSHIP HAS NO COMMON APPROACH TO THE KUMTOR GOLD PROJECT. First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov told journalists in Bishkek on 15 March negotiations with the Canadian company of Centerra Gold, which develops the Kumtor gold deposit, finished. According to him, Centerra agreed giving Kyrgyzstan 8.7 million more shares worth $98 million total, a Kyrgyz share in income from selling each gold ounce would also increase and the country would receive $2,500 million total from the project by 2026 as a result of reconsidering conditions of an agreement with the Kumtor Operating Company, a subsidiary of Centerra. Usenov also said Kyrgyzstan would loose if nationalizes Kumtor as Deputy of Parliament Arslanbek Maliyev proposes.

Maliyev said on 12 March, the Kyrgyz government must reach sharing the product, not the income or shares, and at least a half of the produced gold should leave in Kyrgyzstan. He stated on 16 March that the Canadian investor has brought out of Kyrgyzstan 228.4 tons of gold and earned $1,200 million while invested in the project $45 million only. According to him, the price of ounce is now $650 and the worth of the Kumtor gold is $15,300 million in total but Usenov is lucky to receive $2,000 million of it only as taxes and other dues. However, the Canadian company must have stopped working at Kumtor and transfer the management to the Kyrgyz side in 2006 already, he says.

The New York-based site MarketWatch called it on 13 March "a resource nationalism" and reported it is "a cyclical trend". The sites K2Capital of Russia and Finance of Ukraine reported the same day that foreign companies took part before in very profitable project on developing the deposits in the Central Asian states like Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan but face now a problem of disruption the contracts. Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress, RZP, Tazar, VB, MarketWatch, K2Capital, Finance.Ua

17 February, Saturday:

8. PRESIDENT TAKES PART IN A RALLY ORGANIZED BY OPPOSITION. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said on 17 March at a solemn meeting in the village of Kara-Jygach of the southern Jalal-Abad Province, organized by the opposition and devoted to the fifth anniversary of the Aksy events, that people shot dead in March 2002 sacrificed their lives to democracy. Deputies of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov, Dooronbek Sadyrbayev, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission under the President Tursunbek Akun, others delivered speeches. United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan led by Feliks Kulov held a requiem meeting devoted to the anniversary at the State Opera in Bishkek on 16 March.

Former President Askar Akayev wrote in a letter to the 24.kg Agency, "If today, five years later, people want to know the truth about the Aksy events, it would be good to show the tape of the Kyrgyz Security Council's session of May, 2002. People would see the incumbent President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's mean behavior and his efforts to get away with impunity. On that day, he showed his real face". About his own role in the bloodshed, Akayev says, "I am responsible for the tragedy in Aksy partly. Unfortunately, even I was not receiving full information about the acuity of confrontation in the region. I did not possess regulatory functions during such events. After all, there were a government, law enforcement bodies and local officials".

On 17 March 2002, police opened fire at a demonstration near the village of Bospiek in the southern Jalal-Abad Province. The people headed to Kerben, center of the Aksy District, where a court ruling toward Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov should have been announced on 18 March. He was against ceding some Kyrgyz territories to China and after he began an impeachment procedure against President Askar Akayev, he was arrested in Jalal-Abad on 5 January. It cased mass protests around the country, Sheraly Nazarkulov died during a protest hunger strike in Bishkek on 7 February. Four people were shot dead near Bospiek on 17 March, one more demonstrator died from beating, after returning home, and another young man was sot to dead by police in Kerben on 18 March, where protests continued. Кабар, 24.kg, RIA Novosti, KW

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 11 - 17 MARCH 2007:

9. On 10 March, the play Janyl Myrza (Sir Jane) by the Sakhna Theater of Bishkek was staged at the La MaMa Theater in New York. It would run till 25 March and then Sakhna would stage the play Kerez on 29 March. In La MaMa, exhibition of Kyrgyz applied art was organized by Dinara Chochunbayeva after the performance. KyrgyzNews, Сentrasia, Downtown Express

10. On 11 March, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said at a meeting in Teheran with Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament Marat Sultanov that Iran is ready to ratify any legislation that would strengthen bilateral ties. Tehran Times, 24.kg, Kabar

11. On 12 March, the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan made a statement saying it begins non-stop rallies in the regions on 9 April and in Bishkek on 11 April with demands of early presidential election. 24.kg, Itar-Tass, RIA Novosti, BPC, DW, Kommersant, IWPR NBCA, EDM

12. On 12 March, the Institute for Public Policy published the text of a report presented by Valentin Bogatyrev at the conference, organized by the institute on 2 March. He says a real politics and a real political space emerged in Kyrgyzstan after the 2005 revolution, "I think that for the first time we are dealing with an independent parliament. I suppose that for the first time we are close to creating non-client political parties. I suppose that for the first time independent analytical corps has been formed in the country. I suppose that non-governmental organizations are also close to real progress in the arena of public policy. These four phenomena are new for the country and create the basis for a claim to the emergence of real politics in our country". IPP

13. On 12 March, President of the Institute for Public Policy Muratbek Imanaliev said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that there is no respect to the authorities in Kyrgyzstan now, the power lost its sacrality, and the president is left alone, but "the problem lies with the president, who in reality has ended his political activity as president". BPC, IPP

14. On 12 March, Bubuysha Arstanbekova, head of the non-government Akyikat Jolu (Road to Justice) group, said in an interview with the Institute for War and Peace Reporting that a reason why there are no women in the Kyrgyz parliament is that they abuse the system less than men do, "During parliamentary elections, male candidates don't hesitate to use illegal methods like bribing voters, which women don't usually do". IWPR NBCA

15. On 12 March, Prime Minister Azim Isabekov said at a meeting with a delegation of the German Bundestag that Kyrgyzstan plans dragging $1,400-million foreign investment to complete in 2007 construction of the two Kambar-Ata hydro power stations. The delegation also had meetings with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Foreign minister Ednan Karabayev. Kabar, 24.kg

16. On 12 March, a short-list of nominees for the Russian Prize, awarded to Russian-language writers of the CIS (with exception of Russia) and Baltic Republics was released. Two writers from Kyrgyzstan are among the nine finalists in three nominations - Talip Ibrayimov and Turusbek Madylbayev. Tchingiz Aitmatov heads the jury. Resheto, Kommersant, NEWSru

17. On 12 March, Moscow-based "Economicheskiye Izvestia" reported that most electric bulbs supplied by Kyrgyzstan to Ukraine are a re-export from China and even the Mailuu-Suu plant produces bulbs on a Chinese license. EI

18. On 13 March, Zainidin Kurmanov said in an interview with the AKIpress Agency that unscrupulous politicians have discredited an idea of the constitutional reform in Kyrgyzstan and any appeal by opponents of authorities - either by fascist or fundamentalists - could be supported because 80 percent of the population is poor. That is why, consequences of upcoming rallies could be a result in failure - up to a civil war. AKIpress

19. On 13 March, head of the IMF mission Paulo Neuhaus said at a meeting in Bishkek with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev that a task to secure an 8-percent growth of gross domestic product is realistic one in Kyrgyzstan. Kabar

20. On 13 March, the web site of the Kyrgyz liberal youth was launched: www.liberal.kg, which aims at dissemination of liberal ideas and educating the youth. Liberal.Kg

On 13 March, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Chinese company of China Road & Bridge signed a contract on rehabilitation of the 258-kilometer long Osh-Sarytash-Irkeshtam road. The Asian Development Bank gives a $32.8-million loan for it. Kabar, 24.kg

22. On 13 March, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed into effect the law on prohibition of smoking in public places. The same day, Bakiyev signed a law on administrative responsibility for evasion of foreign citizens from obligatory medical examination on HIV-infection. Itar-Tass, Kazakhstan today

23. On 13 March, the newspaper "Face-to-Face" of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported up to 400 cases of disappearance of people are registered in Kyrgyzstan every month and more than 90 percent of people are found due to work of the police. Kabar, 24.kg

24. On 13-15 March, Kyrgyz Ministry of Economic Development with support from the Islamic Development Bank held in Bishkek an international seminar on experience and membership perspectives in the World Trade Organization. Georgia, Moldova and Kyrgyzstan only among the CIS countries are members of the WTO. Kyrgyzstan joined it in 1998 on the maximal liberal market conditions. Kabar, 24.kg

25. On 14 March, special representative of the European Union for Central Asia Pierre Morel said at a meeting in Bishkek with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev the EU would take into consideration suggestions and proposals of all the Central Asian states while preparing its strategy of cooperation with Central Asia. Kabar

26. On 14 March, head of staff of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan Omurbek Subanaliyev said in an interview with the "Delo Nomer…" weekly that a tandem agreement between Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Feliks Kulov, set in May 2005, was a serious juridical document, it was signed by chairpersons of the Constitutional and Supreme courts, by the parliamentary speaker. According to Subanaliyev, President Bakiyev is now upset that betrayed Kulov. Delo Nomer…

27. On 14 March, Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariev said in an interview with the AKIpress Agency that the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan is a temporary organization; it has a single demand - an early presidential election. And the movement For Reforms! has much fundamental political, economic, social vision aimed at democratization of the society. AKIpress

28. On 14 March, Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote, "As the Kyrgyz government drafts a set of principles designed to unite the nation and strengthen the sense of citizenship, some NBCentralAsia observers are questioning whether the country's rulers are capable of producing a viable national philosophy. Others wonder whether a democratic society actually needs to have an official ideology at all". IWPR NBCA

29. On 14 March, Minister of Justice Marat Kaiypov told journalists President Kurmanbek Bakiyev vetoed the law on banning he right-hand driving cars. The same day, Bakiyev signed a special decree on preparing a law draft canceling the ban. Owners of such cars formed in Kyrgyzstan the movement Union of Rights against the law. 24.kg, Kabar, President

30. On 14 March, Director of the Agency for Information Resources and Technologies Turusbek Koyonaliev said Uzbekistan suspended effect of the visa-free agreement with Kyrgyzstan demanding the Kyrgyz citizens crossing the border must have special inserts in their internal IDs. According to Koyonaliev, Kyrgyz travel to Russia and Kazakhstan bi their Ids without any inserts. 24.kg, Kabar

31. On 14 March, Vice Speaker of the Parliament Kubanychbek Isabekov said UNDP allocates 500,000 euros to Kyrgyzstan to set up a parliamentary TV station. The parliamentary radio began broadcasting last September on the FM 90.2 MHz frequency. Kabar

32. On 15 March, Sergei Blagov wrote on the site Eurasianet about the visit of a delegation of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to Kabul on 9-13 March, "If the intensified cooperation between Kabul and the security organization unfolds as envisioned by CSTO officials, it would mark a significant geopolitical setback for US interests in Central Asia". Eurasianet

33. On 15 March, First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov told journalists in Bishkek there are more than 84 tons of gold in the Jerooy deposit, the Global GOLD company, which develops the deposit, would pay all the taxes, about 1,200 jobs would be created and the Kyrgyz government would own 40 percent of the profit. Kabar

34. On 15 March, Vice Speaker of the Parliament Kubanychbek Isabekov, who visited Italy recently, said there are about 4,000 Kyrgyz citizens in Italy, most of them work there illegally. Kabar

On 15 March, Director of the Kyrgyz-German project on developing the trade and service co-operative societies Ruediger Huelzen said at a meeting with head of government staff Tynychbek Tabaldiyev a union of co-operative societies of Kyrgyzstan had been formed and it unites more than 100 organizations. 24.kg

35. On 15-16 March, a second meeting of the working group on information technologies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Bishkek. 24.kg, AKIpress

36. On 16 March, Mark Katz, professor at George Mason University, wrote on the UPI site, "China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan have better relations with the U.S. than Russia and Uzbekistan. While the former (including supposedly democratic Kyrgyzstan) are wary of American democratization efforts, each wishes to maintain good relations with Washington. Neither China, Kazakhstan, nor Kyrgyzstan is willing to reduce its cooperation with America just because Putin may want them to". UPI

37. On 16 March, Ibragim Rustambek wrote in an article posted on the site Gazeta.kz that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is the worst leader in the Kyrgyz history. He has no ideas, no socio-economic program, as a politician, he is a very local figure. However, both Bakiyev and Feliks Kulov are politicians from the former President Askar Akayev's bunch, they represent an old generation, which is not able to progress. They have no chance as leaders of the nation, Rustambek says. Gazeta.kz

38. On 16 March, the representative office of the International Monetary Fund said the fund couldn't cut some part of the foreign debt of Kyrgyzstan connected with the spending for the foreign consultants because such a service was free of charge. Head of the IMF mission, visited Kyrgyzstan on 28 February - 13 March, Paulo Neuhaus said the same in Bishkek on 13 March. Kabar, 24.kg

39. On 16 March, The Observatory, joint program of the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Organization against Tortures, released a report on the state of Human Rights Defenders in the world in 2006 (available in French only so far). It is said in it that freedom of assemblies was restricted in Kyrgyzstan in 2006. NovGaz, OMCT

40. On 16 March, Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov said in an interview with the Eurasia Magazine that it was necessary to nationalize just after the revolution all the property belonged to former President Askar Akayev after he fled the country. It is difficult to find now out anything - all the property is registered for dummies and the bank accounts are in the off-shore areas. Eurasia

41. On 16 March, the Committee for Migration and Employment said the Russian government allowed Kyrgyz citizens continuing be engaged in retail trade on the Russian territory. A note of the Russian Foreign Ministry on it was sent to Bishkek on 7 March. Kabar

42. On 16 March, Director of the Tourism Agency Turusbek Mamashov said at a meeting at the Foreign Ministry that it was decided at an all-Kyrgyzstan meeting recently that visa-free regime should be introduced for 28 developed countries of the world to attract their tourists. Kabar, 24.kg

43. On 16 March, Director of the Tourism Agency Turusbek Mamashov stated his agency would work to improve infrastructure and quality of services making foreign tourists spending more money rather than to increase their total number. Kabar

44. On 16 March, manager of the Global Fund's project Control over Malaria in Kyrgyzstan Nurbolot Usenbayev told journalists in Bishkek the fund gives Kyrgyzstan $3,5 million for five years to fight malaria. There were 320 cases registered in Kyrgyzstan in 2006, while the record number of more than 3,000 was in 2002. According to Usenbayev, experts of the Global Fund found in Kyrgyzstan a new species of malaria mosquito. Kabar

45. On 16 March, the Ministry of Health Care said number of people contracted with tuberculosis decreases - there are now 109,9 people with TB per 100,000 population, it is less than in 2006 by 4.7 percent. The mortality rate is 9.9 per 100,000 against 11.0 last year. Regnum

46. On 16 March, Director of the Kyrgyz Center for Psychological Health Abjalalbek Begmatov said there are 49,000 people registered in Kyrgyzstan with schizophrenia and the number increases by 3 to 5 percent yearly. Kabar

47. On 16 March, Igor Rotar wrote on the site RIA Novosti, "Though the Protestant community makes up only a small part of the population of Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, Protestant street posters are much more numerous than Muslim or Orthodox Christian ones. The wealthy West generously sponsors Protestants, so their purse is much fatter than the Muslim or Russian Orthodox. They can afford to send missionaries to every little town in Central Asia". RIA Novosti

48. On 16 March, Hamid Toursunof wrote on the Prague-based site Transition Online about activity of the teen gangs in Osh City of Kyrgyzstan. TOL

49. On 17 March, the government adopted a program of hasten development of Kyrgyzstan in 2007. According to it, growth of gross domestic product in the country must be not less than 8 percent, inflation rate not more than 6 percent and the budget deficit - not more than 3.4 percent to GDP. Kabar, DW

50. Appointments and dismissals: On 12 March, Deputy Culture Minister Asanbek Sarybaev resigned and joined the opposition expressing the hope that other government officials would follow him. According to him, dependence of the incumbent government on the president and his relatives is higher than in the Akayev times. On 14 March, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev dismissed Osmonaly Guronov from the post of secretary of the Security Council. The same day, Bakiyev appointed Boris Yugai first deputy defense minister and Murza-Ali Borubaev as deputy defense minister. On 15 March, Bakiyev appointed Toktosun Barmanov head of the administration of the Kara-Suu District in the Osh Province replacing Maratbek Jumabekov. On 17 March, it became known that Prime Minister Azim Isabekov appointed Guronov first deputy minister of internal affairs instead of Sherkozu Mirzakarimov, who became a deputy director of the Drug Control Agency. Itar-Tass, 24.kg, Kabar, President, Kommersant

Naryn AIYP.
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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 4-10 Mar 2007

2007-03-11T08:46:20Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 4 - 10 MARCH 2007
_________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. We need early election of president, not his resignation - Kulov.
2. First vice premier denies he bribed parliamentarians.
3. Properties are sold in spite of the presidential and parliamentarian decisions.
4. Kyrgyzstan's human rights record is improved, but some achievements are negated.
5. A parliamentarian accuses international organizations and suggests frightening them.
6. The movement For Reforms! gives a new ultimatum to the president.
7. Parliamentarians for revision of an agreement with Canadian CAMECO.
8. Also in the week of 4 - 10 March 2007…

5 March, Monday:

1. WE NEED EARLY ELECTION OF PRESIDENT, NOT HIS RESIGNATION - KULOV. Former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov told journalists in Bishkek on 5 March that the United Front (UF) For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan seeks early presidential election only, not the resignation of the incumbent president, and it is necessary to legitimize the results of the last presidential election held in July 2005, because the people voted for the Tandem Bakiyev-Kulov and it is not clear how many voters supported each member of the tandem. According to Kulov, it is also needed to legitimize the current constitution - the one adopted last November was a compromised constitution nut the parliamentarians were not familiarized with the text of the latter before it was adopted in December. Kulov also said the UF would act in frame of the constitution only and a summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, to be held in Bishkek on 16 August, would not suffer even if the UF would hold protest actions in the city. Emil Aliyev, deputy to Kulov in the Ar-Namys Party, said the same day everything would be resolved in the country before the summit. Kulov said he would not run for the presidency in 2010 for sure.

Kulov also said the UF would fight those who want usurping the power in the country and if the authorities use force against the opposition, the latter would appeal to Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe either. According to him, the Kyrgyz businesspersons, who are seeking for justice, would finance the opposition activity, which would gain its end. Chairman of the Asaba Party and Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov said on 7 March people voted in 2005 not for the tandem but for the ideals of the revolution and both Bakiyev and Kulov are guilty for the situation taking place now. According to him, Kulov would not have united opposition if he was reappointed prime minister in January. Ibragim Rustambek wrote about Kulov on the site Gazeta.Kz on 6 March that even Boris Berezovsky is not such ambitious. BPC, Kabar, 24.kg, Itar-Tass, Kommersant, Gazeta.Kz

2. FIRST VICE PREMIER DENIES HE BRIBED PARLIAMENTARIANS. Daniyar Usenov refuted on 5 March the statement by Feliks Kulov, who said in the interview with the "Delo Nomer…" on 28 February that Usenov spent $300,000 to bribe members of the parliament to be approved to the post of the first vice prime minister. According to Usenov, he asked his lawyers on 1 March to sue Kulov. Kulov responded on 5 March saying a single prove he had is that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev attended the conversation when Usenov himself admitted that he paid. Usenov said there had been no such a conversation at all and Roza Otunbayeva replied, giving up Usenov would mean for Bakiyev making hara-kiri to himself, because Usenov is now an economic consultant for the Bakiyev's family. Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev suggested on 5 March all the parliamentarians involved must go through polygraph, and Usenov agreed. Another parliamentarian, Kubatbek Baibolov, said he respects Kulov for his brave step to unveil what happens in the government building. The "Agym" newspaper reported on 6 October 2006 that Usenov bribed parliamentarians when he was approved to the post for the first time in 2005 too. Kabar, 24.kg, Itar-Tass, DW

3. PROPERTIES ARE SOLD IN SPITE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARIAN DECISIONS. Deputy of Parliament Bolot Sherniyazov said at a parliamentary session on 5 March that 100 percent of the shares of the Kristall plant of poly-crystal silicon in the town of Tash-Komur was being sold the same day to implement a ruling of the inter-district court of Bishkek taken on 17 February, and its price was $1,6 million while it costs 100 times more actually. According to Sherniyazov, the plant was in the list of enterprises, which can be privatized after a special parliamentary approval only, by the parliament did not consider the case. Deputy Omurbek Tekebayev said a son of the president could be behind the case. The parliament took a decision the same day on suspending the court ruling and it became known that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev formed on 3 March a special commission led by First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov to settle the case, but Sherniyazov said the plant was already sold. Deputy Dooronbek Sadyrbayev suggested inviting Bakiyev to the parliament, Sherniyazov demanded the Chairman of the Supreme Court must resign. Deputy Arzybek Burkanov said the auction was suspended later the same day and Chairman of the State Agency for Financial Control Yuruslan Toichubekov, who should have controlled such cases, was authorized by the Elimai Company of Kazakhstan to buy the plant. Deputy Temir Sariyev said everybody in parliament was shocked and Bailiff Bakyt Jakybaliyev said on 9 March the auction was held on 5 March, however, its winner - Ester Holding Corp. - was not announced officially.

Usenov confirmed on 9 March that the auction was suspended on 5 March and that his commission suggested the Industry Ministry bringing a legal action to find a letter by the deputy minister, which became a ground for a court ruling on selling the plant, illegal. However, Sherniyazov accused Usenov of inability to fix the problem and demanded his resignation. According to him, the auction was organized secretly and Toichubekov also said he got to now about it on 5 March only. Former director of the plant said the same day a real price of the plant is $200 to $250 million. The discussion would continue on Monday. Also on 9 March, the parliament demanded the government to explain why the Issyk-Kul Hotel in Bishkek was sold too recently. It also was in a special list and must not have been privatized without a parliamentary approval. 24.kg , BPC, 24.kg, Kabar, AKIpress

6 March, Tuesday:

4. KYRGYZSTAN'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD IS IMPROVED, BUT SOME ACHIEVEMENTS ARE NEGATED. The US State Department released on 6 March The Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in the world in 2006. It is said in it, "The United States takes its human rights commitments seriously. We recognize that we are writing this report at a time when our own record, and actions we have taken to respond to the terrorist attacks against us, have been questioned". The reports mention the progress in Liberia, Indonesia, Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan, "Although Kyrgyzstan's human rights record had improved considerably following the change to democratically elected leadership in 2005, during 2006 a week of mass yet peaceful protests culminated in the hasty adoption of an amended constitution that offered the possibility for genuine checks and balances. At the end of December, however, parliament passed another constitution negating many key checks and balances. The government also harassed foreign-funded nongovernmental organizations".

The reports also say the human right records of Afghanistan, China, East Timor, Egypt, Fiji, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam remained poor. North Korea and Eritrea remained one of the world's most isolated and repressive regimes, the similar situations were in Belarus, Burma, Burundi, Cuba, Iran, Rwanda, Sudan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe. The following human rights problems were reported in the Central Asian states: severe limits on citizens' rights to change their government; an incident of unlawful deprivation of life; military hazing that led to deaths; detainee and prisoner abuse; unhealthy prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention, particularly of government opponents; lack of an independent judiciary; increased restrictions on freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and association; pervasive corruption, especially in law enforcement and the judicial system; restrictions on the activities of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); discrimination and violence against women; trafficking in persons; and societal discrimination. US State Department

7 March, Wednesday:

5. A PARLIAMENTARIAN ACCUSES INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND SUGGESTS FRIGHTENING THEM. Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov told journalists in Bishkek on 5 March that the problem of Kyrgyz foreign debt can be resolved with the help of legalizing opium poppy crops, "If we allow to grow opium poppy for at least two years, international institutions will have to acquit us of the debt". He admitted, "I comprehend that my statement will cause ambiguous response", but cited Afghanistan as an example, "Have a look at Afghanistan - they almost officially declared that in 2007 they will increase opium poppy crops". Beknazarov also said the International Monetary Fund is an organization like a mafia and if the issue of foreign debt was under his jurisdiction when he was the prosecutor general in 2005, he would have proved that a half of the money given Kyrgyzstan did not reach the country and would have investigated into the corruption in the donor organizations.

The same day, Doctor Jenishbek Nazaraliyev, director of a narcological clinic stated that in Kyrgyzstan as well as in the whole post-Soviet territory, it is inadmissible to legalize even light drugs. According to him, drug addicted people in the West realize that it is their personal problem, but people in the former Soviet republics do not make difference between the light and hard drugs and use heroin mostly. The Russian site Strana reported on 7 March that Beknazarov does not realized he wants using the Bolivian experience, not the Afghan one. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev met in Bishkek on 9 March with senior adviser of the International Monetary Fund’s Middle East and Central Asia Department David Owen discussing perspectives of cooperation. Owen met with Prime Minister Azim Isabekov too. Regnum, 24.kg, Kabar,

9 March, Friday:

6. THE MOVEMENT FOR REFORMS! GIVES A NEW ULTIMATUM TO THE PRESIDENT. The movement For Reforms!, which unites several opposition parties and movements, held a meeting of its board on 9 March and adopted a special statement. It says that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev promised repeatedly to conduct fundamental political and socio-economical reforms, however, he revived clanship and family-authoritarian rule by signing into effect the illegal constitution adopted by the parliament on 30 December 2006 under pressure from the authorities and with violation of the norms of the November constitution and the law on parliamentary procedures, being in effect at that time.

Deputies of Parliament Temir Sariyev and Omurbek Tekebayev told journalists the same day the movement reserves the right beginning protest actions in a month if Bakiyev does not begin real reforms. The movement gave a similar ultimatum to Bakiyev on 2 October 2006, accusing him of not meeting demands of the public rallies held on 29 April and 27 May, and began on 2 Novembers protest rallies, which led to adoption of a new constitution on 9 November, which restricted power of a president.

The United Front (UF) for Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan, formed by Feliks Kulov, also held a meeting of its board on 10 March and decided beginning protest actions on 11 April demanding for early presidential election. Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov said on 9 March the movement For Reforms! is not such radical as the UF and demands only stopping authority of the president but not an early election. We give the president a time to think, said Beknazarov. On 7 March, Beknazarov stated both the early presidential and parliamentary elections would lead to repeat a revolution situation in the country and his Asaba Party supports the UF partly only. Kabar. 24.kg, RIA Novosti, IHT, BPC, Interfax, Rosbalt, Newsru

7. PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR REVISION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH CANADIAN CAMECO. Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov asked a special parliamentary commission on 9 March to report within March on lawfulness of developing the gold deposits in Kyrgyzstan. The same day, parliamentarians Arslan Maliyev and Karganbek Samakov told journalists the General Agreement between the Kyrgyz government and the Canadian CAMECO Corporation (Canadian Mining Engineering Company) to develop the Kumtor gold deposit and other agreements based on it are illegal because the Kyrgyz parliament did not ratify the General Agreement signed in 1992. According to them, CAMECO acts without a license to develop the mineral resources in Kyrgyzstan and violates the laws on concession, on licenses, on foreign investment. Maliyev and Samakov also said they prepared a special law draft, according to which the government could force CAMECO and other companies to pay unpaid taxes and other dues, which worth up to $1,000 million. The draft also envisages setting up a special state-owned corporation to develop all the gold deposits in the country and it would not be nationalization of them.

A special parliamentary commission led by Shergazy Mambetov also demanded canceling the agreement in 1993-1994 and as a result of its activity, then Prime Minister Tursunbek Chyngyshev resigned in December 1993. However, the parliament itself was dissolved in September 1994 too. Kabar, 24.kg, CA&CC, AKIpress

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 4 - 10 MARCH 2007:

8. On 4 March, Deutsche Welle reported that picketer becomes a profession in Kyrgyzstan and it is taught in universities - the students have to go to participate in pickets and demonstrations and they are paid for it sometimes.

9. On 5 March, sources in the Bishkek City administration and in the Committee of National Security said there is a possibility of terror acts in Bishkek. Deputy of Parliament Kubatbek Baibolov said on 6 March the authorities force the situation in the country especially. 24.kg, AKIpress

10. On 5 March, Stephen Larrabee of the Rand Corporation wrote in an article posted in the site of UPI that Russian "President Putin has sought to exploit the fear Central Asian leaders have of Islamic extremism to strengthen Russia's military and security ties to the countries in the region". UPI

11. On 5 March, Aleksei Malashenko of the Moscow Carnegie Center wrote in "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" hat Russia is watching passively what political processes happen in Central Asia while activity of its Western rivals increases in the region. NG

12. On 5 March, Expert of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting Mars Sariyev said in an interview with AKIpress that a struggle between authorities and opposition in Kyrgyzstan is advantageous for Russia - it could support any side when it needs it to keep power balance. So, Kyrgyzstan is a pawn of the chessboard. AKIpress

13. On 5 March, Bakyt Beshimov, vice-president of the American University-Central Asia, wrote in an article posted on the site of the Institute for Public Policy about the setting up of the United Front "For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan", that "for the first time after July 10, 2005 presidential elections, Bakiyev's legitimacy as President is being openly questioned. Moreover, it is being questioned by one of the main participants of the presidential campaign. To this very day Bakiyev's strength was that he was popularly elected, and Kulov's attempt to indirectly recall his share of votes makes Bakiyev's authority unsustainable, creating a new political situation". IPP

14. On 5 March, Feliks Kulov told journalists in Bishkek the authorities ask Omurbek Subanaliyev returning to the post of minister of internal affairs. However, Subanaliyev rejected the offer. 24.kg, MSN

15. On 5 March, deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev said at a parliamentary session that First Vice Prime Minister Usen Sydykov, State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov and Councilor to the President Usen Sydykov met in December, just before the resignation of the government, with 10 deputies of parliament and offered them $100,000 each if they resigned, but the deputies had also to persuade 21 more parliamentarians to leave their seats in the parliament. According to Sariyev, deputies Iskander Gaipkulov and Sergei Popov were among the parliamentarians met. Gaipkulov refuted the information the same day. 24.kg

16. On 5 March, Marina Ivanova, widow of Aleksander Ivanov, who was shot dead by US Sergeant Zachary Hatfield at the Manas airbase on 6 December 2006, said the US side makes obstacles to investigate into the case - the investigation deadline expired on 8 March but the base leadership neither gives the Kyrgyz investigation team a pistol to make expertise nor allows to interrogate the sergeant. 24.kg

17. On 5 March, Deputy of Parliament Kubatbek Baibolov presented a special conference in Bishkek a concept of reforming the law enforcement bodies of the country, prepared by his working group. According to him, the incumbent judicial system does not correspond to real justice, which depends on the current political situation and the state governance turned into a family-clan form. 24.kg, Kabar

18. On 5 March, Oleg Sidorov wrote in an article posted on Gazeta.Kz that The Kyrgyz army consists of one infantry division, which comprises of three infantry regiments, and one armored regiment, one artillery regiment, one air defense regiment and one mountainous brigade. Gazeta.Kz

19. On 5 March, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Migration and Employment Dosmir Uzbekov told journalists in Bishkek 2,000 to 3,000 Kyrgyz labor migrants could go to work in South Korea this year. "Seoulsky Vestnik" reported on 6 March that Kyrgyz citizens would work industrial, construction and agricultural sectors. Kabar, Seoulsky Vestnik

20. On 5 March, Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev, UNDP Representative to Kyrgyzstan Neal Walker and Representative of the office of the UNHC for Human Rights Richard Lapper opened at the ministry the UN Resource Center, which would help preparing national reports on implementing the country's international obligations timely. Regnum, Kabar

21. On 5 March, the European Commission adopted the third update of the Community list of airlines banned in the European Union. A total of 49 carriers, including seven from Kyrgyzstan, previously included in the list have been withdrawn since they have ceased operating. However, four companies created in the Kyrgyz Republic have been added to the Community list for a total ban. European Business Guide

22. On 6 March, Sanobar Shermatova wrote in an article posted on the site of RIA Novosti that Kyrgyzstan "differs from neighboring republics in some major aspects - its relatively free press and influential civil sector prevent the formation of a personal dictatorship". RIA Novosti

23. On 6 March, First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov said at a government meeting Kyrgyzstan tries receiving more profit from the Kumtor gold deposit by changing conditions of the contract with the Canadian company, which develops it. According to him, Kyrgyzstan missed profit of about $400 million and the general agreement must be revised. Itar-Tass, Kabar, 24.kg

24. On 6 March, Deputy of Parliament Kubatbek Baibolov said in an interview with the AKIpress agency that the drop of a definition of secular state from the two last constitutions is not an accident. We are against financing of our non-governmental organizations by the West, but Arab states finance them too and female students at the Kuwait University receive additional $50 a month for wearing hijab, he says. AKIpress

25. On 6 March, the Internet-Newspaper Tazar published a rating of the world countries on their tourism attractiveness. Kyrgyzstan is on the 102nd place out of 124. It was released at the Davos World Economic Forum on 1 March . Tazar, Kabar, 24.kg

26. On 6 March, Marat Usenaliyev from the Ministry of Education said 1,480 children of school age did not visit school, but the number was 1,620 in 2005. Many children do not go school due to they have to work and earn money, some of them are orphans and about 5 percent do not want going school. There are 2,100 schools in Kyrgyzstan with about 1.133 million pupils. Kabar

27. On 6 March, it became known that the European Union would give Kyrgyzstan a grant of 8.55 million euro for the program of food security. Kabar

28. On 6 March, Chairwoman of the Committee for Migration and Employment Aigul Ryskulova told journalists in Bishkek that the system of taxation of foreign traders in Kyrgyzstan should be changed and they must pay taxes not by buying patents. Customs inequalities towards domestic and foreign traders should also be eliminated. Kabar

29. On 7 March, Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov said the opposition asked former President Askar Akayev not to flee the country on 24 March 2005, however, after he fled, the opposition had to invite Kurmanbek Bakiyev to lead the country. He also said the crowd gathered in front of the government building stormed the building after the young people organized by the son-in-law of Akayev, began stoning the crowd. 24.kg

30. On 7 March, US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher said during a hearing at the US Congress that Washington would continue supporting the American University - Central Asia in Bishkek as a center for free searching and debates for youths in the region, where such activity is restricted. He also said the US is for stability and economic prosperity in Central Asia and does not want being engaged in a new Great Game in the region, while Russia, China and Iran try influencing the Central Asian developments and undermining its stability and aims of the US. RIA Novosti

31. On 7 March, Russian "Vedomosti" reported that Mobile TeleSystems (MTS), the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, brought damage claims in the High Court of Justice in the Isle of Man seeking damages for the misappropriation and forced seizure of Bitel and its assets against the 11 companies, including Bitel LLC, Fellowes International Holdings Limited, Altimo Holdings and Investments Limited, Altimo LLC, CJSC Reservspetzmet, Lovianco Trading Co Limited, Yuridicheskoe Bureau Pravo, Energia Light LLC, KI-Credit Prive SA JSC, AK Investment Limited CJSC, Sky Mobile LLC. MTS also announced it writes off costs associated with the acquisition of a 51 percent stake in Tarino Limited, indirect owner of Bitel, a Kyrgyz GSM mobile phone operator, at the end of 2005 in the amount of $150 million. Vedomosti, RBC Daily, Russia Newswire

32. On 7 March, the Mineweb site of South Africa reported, "The new chief executive of Alrosa, Sergei Vybornov, has authorized the diamond-mining company - second in the world to De Beers - to go after gold mines across the Russian border in Kyrgyzstan and Armenia. But officials in Kyrgyzstan have told Mineweb there is no dialogue with Alrosa, and they are not interested in opening one…. Vybornov has stepped into this minefield without warning. There is no evidence of contact between Alrosa, or Vybornov, with the Kyrgyz government". Mineweb

33. On 7 March, Councilor of the Drug Control Agency Timur Isakov said in an interview with the 24.kg Agency that about five kg of opium were seized in Kyrgyzstan annually before 1992, then the narcoexpansion from Afghanistan began and 150 kg were seized in 1993 and in 2006, 560 kg of opium were seized.

34. On 7 March, Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir Uulu said in an interview with NBCentralAsia, "Since 2005, various courts have passed around 20 death sentences. The death penalty has been suspended in Kyrgyzstan, but there is no ban in [criminal] legislation". Minister of Justice Marat Kaiypov replied, "The fact that judges continue to sentence criminals to death demonstrates their ignorance,” he said. “It means they haven’t read the constitution". IWPR NBCA

35. On 7 March, Omurbek Abdrakmanov of the United Front For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan said schools and streets in the Jalal-Abad Province are named after President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. BPC

36. On 7 March, Erica Marat wrote in an article posted on the site of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute of the Johns Hopkins University about the initiative of Kyrgyz Justice Minister Marat Kaiypov to make polygamy legal, "Some Kyrgyz experts think that by bringing up this controversial issue, Kaiypov tried to please Bakiyev, who is known to have a second informal wife and children". President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said at a festive meeting in Kant devoted to the International Women Day that there are much more serious problems to discuss in the country than the polygamy issue, and called all officials who raised it as "loafers". CACI, Kabar, RIA Novosti

37. On 7 March, IRIN, the U.N.'s Integrated Regional Information Networks, reported, "According to the Kyrgyz Association of Crisis Centres, about 5,000 women, mostly between 16 and 25, turn to the four shelters in the country annually. Neither police nor hospitals keeps statistics about victims of domestic violence. Specialists, however, say the real figures are tens if not hundred times that, with many abused women preferring to stay silent". IRIN

38. On 7 March, the Russian site Advis.ru reported 25,500 tons of chrysotile-asbestos, one of the most toxic substances used in construction, were used in Kyrgyzstan. Advis.ru

39. On 8 March, Daniel Sershen wrote in an article posted on the site EurasiaNet, "Although the Kyrgyz state initially owned two-thirds of the Kumtor project, a controversial restructuring plan and sale of government shares in 2004 created a new company, Centerra Gold, dominated by its Canadian parent firm, Cameco. The government’s stake dwindled to 16 percent". EurasiaNet

40. On 8 March, Erica Marat wrote in an article posted on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor, "If Kyrgyzstan fails to stage the SCO summit this August, it will considerably undermine its role in regional security cooperation…. Given that Bakiyev’s month-old government already is facing criticism for corruption and lack of professionalism, the summit might turn into a waste of financial resources for Kyrgyzstan". EDM

41. On 9 March, former acting President of Tajikistan Akbarsho Iskandarov wrote in an article posted on the site of the Russian agency Marketing and Consulting that both NATO and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization declare they are for guaranteeing security in Central Asia, but their real goals are different. The West wants to tie Central Asia to Afghanistan and then Greater Central Asia to Greater Middle East keeping it under its control and withdrawing it from the control of China and Russia, he says. M&C

42. On 9 March, the Institute for Public Policy releases a report on a round table discussion held on 2 March. Valentin Bogatyrev, coordinator of the Perspektiva Analytical Consortium, said at it that stability, in a way how it is understood in other Central Asian states, has no chances in Kyrgyzstan, "Stability is a sign of stagnation or a latent accumulation of possible social explosions. Kyrgyzstan is the most stable state in Central Asia since the processes of development are taking place here, and the ‘lid is off the cauldron'; everything boils and rages, but it will not explode". IPP

43. On 9 March, Aslan Sydykov wrote in an article posted on the Prague-based site Transition Online, "During the night of 24-25 March 2005, thousands broke into stores allegedly owned by Askar Akaev, who had just been deposed in the bloodless 'Tulip Revolution'. Most of the looters felt they were simply taking back what belonged to the people in the first place. Since then, the looting has never really stopped: but instead of an enraged mob, it is now government officials in neat suits, armed with seizure warrants and other legal documents, who take away personal property". TOL

44. On 9 March, leaders of several media outlets, including some governmental ones, stated they were against dirty technologies to be used in media. Chief editors of the newspapers "Slovo Kyrgyzstana", "Vecherny Bishkek", "New Kyrgyzstan" and the Pyramida TV Company, directors general of the TV companies The Fifth Channel and MTS, as well as representatives of the State TV, TV Company NBT and Chairman of the Public Foundation Journalists against Corruption signed a special declaration on it. Kabar, AKIpress, 24.kg, Regnum

45. On 9 March, member of the National Council against Corruption Shamaral Maichiyev said all the government-owned media outlets must be closed and private ones should only be left in Kyrgyzstan, because the governmental media distort facts and make biased coverage of the political and socio-economic processes misleading people. Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov stated on 7 March The Fifth Channel and the State Television of Kyrgyzstan destabilize the situation by biased covering the current events. 24.kg

46. On 9 March, the Washington ProFile Agency reported the number of US peacekeepers reached 80,000 in 2006, more than the last record in 1973. Among the former Soviet republics, Ukraine sent 565 troops to join UN peacekeepers, Russia - 291, Kyrgyzstan - 15, Moldova - nine, Lithuania - six and Estonia - two. WPF

47. On 9 March, Oslo-based Forum 18 reported that after an arson attack and a violent mob broke into a Baptist church in the Kara-Kulja District in southern Kyrgyzstan more than half a year ago, no-one has been prosecuted for the attack. Forum 18

48. On 9 March, the Prosecutor General Office said the criminal case against Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev was closed on 7 March. It was filed on 10 January and Sariyev was accused of smuggling. Early in the morning of 9 January, he was barred from a flight Bishkek-Istanbul during a checking-in at the Manas airport after joking a question of the customs officials that he had $100,000 in his baggage. No money was confiscated. AKIpress, RIA Novosti, Tazar, Kabar, 24.kg

49. On 10 March, "Deseret Morning News" of the Utah state of the US reported, "Men in Kyrgyzstan kidnap women because it is easier than courtship and cheaper than paying a bride price". DMN

50. Appointments and dismissals: On 6 March, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev nominated and the parliament approved Aichurek Eshimova as Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission. Kabar

Naryn AIYP.
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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 25 Feb - 3 Mar 2007

2007-03-04T12:28:42Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 25 FEBRUARY - 3 MARCH 2007
________________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. English apples are originated from Central Asia.
2. US airbase in Kyrgyzstan is 'on the periphery of the new zone of threat'.
3. Kulov accuses Usenov of buying votes in parliament.
4. Governing of Kyrgyzstan is not stable - Kulov.
5. All high ideas are discredited in Kyrgyzstan - an artist.
6. Kyrgyzstan the last in the world on women representation.
7. Also in the week of 25 February - 3 March 2007…

25 February, Sunday:

1. ENGLISH APPLES ARE ORIGINATED FROM CENTRAL ASIA. Prominent English apples, which even became the emblem of The Beatles, are direct descendants of fruit trees growing in Central Asia. "The Sunday Telegraph" reported on 25 February that plant scientists at Oxford University had discovered, "The DNA of England's famous apple varieties are almost identical to that of fruit found in the Tian Shan forest which lies on the border of Kyrgyzstan and China". According to Barrie Juniper, who led the research, scientists previously assumed that the apple was a hybrid of different types of fruit, however, they found, to their surprise, they are originated from Central Asia and "everything they were collecting in Tian Shan there didn't seem to be any mixing at all" and "the findings have shaken the concept of the apple as a typically English fruit".

"Juniper, who has just completed a book about his research titled The Story of the Apple, spent 10 years attempting to trace the origins of the fruit by collecting and testing samples from around the globe…. He now believes that apple seeds were carried out of the forest to the West around 7,000 years ago by domesticated horses from the region that fed on the fruit. Horses are thought to have first been tamed on the plains surrounding the Tian Shan before being used on trade routes towards Europe". According to him, "The extraordinary sweet apple seems to have come directly out of the Tian Shan and much of the diversity you find in English apples is already there". Britain boasts more than 1,000 of its own varieties of apple and there are more than 4,000 that have been identified around the world. Name of the former capital city of Kazakhstan, Almaty, was written by the Russians 'Alma-Ata' in the Soviet times and was translated into Russian as 'The Father of Apples", however, 'Almaty' means both in Kazakh and Kyrgyz 'an apple-tree site'. The most tasteful apples in Kyrgyzstan are grown on the opposite side of the Ala-Too Range from Almaty, on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. ST, MIGnews, FreshPlaza

26 February, Monday:

2. US AIRBASE IN KYRGYZSTAN IS 'ON THE PERIPHERY OF THE NEW ZONE OF THREAT'. Daniel W. Drezner, Professor of International Politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, wrote in the article The New New World Order carried by in the March/April edition of Foreign Affairs, issued on 26 February, "Controversies over the war in Iraq and U.S. unilateralism have overshadowed a more pragmatic and multilateral component of the Bush administration's grand strategy: its attempt to reconfigure U.S. foreign policy and international institutions in order to account for shifts in the global distribution of power and the emergence of states such as China and India. This unheralded move is well intentioned and well advised, and Washington should redouble its efforts".

"The Bush team has already made significant efforts to keep up with the changing world. A few years ago, it started to reallocate resources within the U.S. government. More recently, it has spearheaded multilateral efforts to integrate China and India into important international regimes. The Defense Department was the first U.S. bureaucracy to make major changes to reflect the new new world order. It started by moving around U.S. troops stationed abroad. In 2004, more than 250,000 troops were based in 45 countries, half of them in Germany and South Korea, the battlegrounds of the Cold War. To improve troop mobility in the face of ever-changing threats, President Bush announced in August 2004 that the number of U.S. armed forces stationed overseas would be reduced and that 35 percent of U.S. bases abroad would be closed by 2014. Many of these troops will be based in the United States, but others will be redeployed in countries on the periphery of the new zone of threat: in eastern Europe, in Central Asia, and along the Pacific Rim. The State Department is also adjusting. In a January 2006 address at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, Secretary of State Rice said, "In the twenty-first century, emerging nations like India and China and Brazil and Egypt and Indonesia and South Africa are increasingly shaping the course of history". Foreign Affairs

28 February, Wednesday:

3. KULOV ACCUSES USENOV OF BUYING VOTES IN PARLIAMENT. Former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov said in an interview with "Delo Nomer…" on 28 February that First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov told him himself in attendance of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev that he spent $300,000 to receive support from parliamentarians when they vote to approve his appointment to the position. According to Kulov, both he and Bakiyev were surprised very much especially when Usenov said he could not have failed due to Kulov introduced him to the parliament. Former State Secretary Dastan Sarygulov sent on 1 March an open letter to the president saying a criminal case should be filed and Usenov must be suspended from his duties.

Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov stated on 28 February it was an open accusation and Usenov should have sued Kulov, however, he would not do it and the Prosecutor General Office should have done it but it also would wait for instruction because everything depends on 'the master of the country'. Another parliamentarian, Dooronbek Sadyrbayev, said the Prosecutor General Office should file a case either against Usenov, or Kulov, or the parliament. According to him, he would initiate dissolution of the parliament voluntarily if the Kulov's statement has a ground. Erika Marat wrote on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor on 1 March, "Only days after its formation, the United Front took bold steps to undermine Bakiyev's leadership". Delo Nomer…, 24.kg, BPC, Tazar, АКИпресс, Kommersant, Gazeta.kz, EDM

4. GOVERNING OF KYRGYZSTAN IS NOT STABLE - KULOV. Feliks Kulov said in his interview with "Delo Nomer…" also that the incumbent governance of Kyrgyzstan is not stable and there is no balance in political sharing of power. However, according to him, the opposition would not take any unconstitutional steps and the authorities only could provoke a civil war, if any. After Kyrgyzstan rejected joining the HIPC Initiative, the government should now try receiving favorable loans from Russia to drag the country out of the current crisis, Kulov said. According to him, he prepared documents on the joining because the president asked it, however, a political decision was taken later.

He also said the incumbent authorities usurp the power and bring their family and relatives to power and there is no political system in the country now to counter it. However, if somebody is under influence of his family he cannot be a political leader, he said. Kulov also said the resignation of the government in December was organized by First Vice Premier Daniyar Usenov and State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov and he only agreed to resign when they said 31 parliamentarians were ready to resign if the government did it. According to Kulov, he has no relations with former President Askar Akayev as some media report. Delo Nomer, 24.kg, Gazeta.Ru, M&C

5. ALL HIGH IDEAS ARE DISCREDITED IN KYRGYZSTAN - AN ARTIST. Architect and Artist, Editor-in-Chief of the Central Asian Magazine 'Kurak' Ulan Japarov said in an interview with the 24.kg Agency on 28 February that all the lofty ideas and high motions like independence, liberty, statehood, national idea, law, prominence, human rights, free economy, democracy, revolution, opposition are discredited in Kyrgyzstan now. According to him, there is a paradox - the art and literature were ahead of the society developments before and discernments of poets and artists led it forward, but now, people of art keep themselves aloof from the society developments and are not able react to fundamental changes and abnormal deformations and the Kyrgyz society loose its cultural and intellectual level. However, the modern art has been formed into an informal phenomenon in the last 10 to 12 years and has been recognized abroad. But both local people and experts are not ready to understand and interpret it. 24.kg

1 March, Thursday:

6. KYRGYZSTAN THE LAST IN THE WORLD ON WOMEN REPRESENTATION. The Inter-Parliamentary Union presented on 1 March its report Women in Parliament 2006 to the 51st session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. It comprises information on the women status in the 189 world countries and says women held almost 17 percent of all parliamentary seats - 50 percent more than they held a decade ago. During 2006, 9,335 parliamentary seats were up for renewal and women won 1,557, or 16.9 percent, of those seats. The world leaders are Rwanda with 48.8 percent of its parliamentary seats belong to women, Sweden (47.3 percent), Costa Rica (38.6), Finland (38.0) and Norway (37.9 percent). Kyrgyzstan has no women parliamentarians currently and is on the last place, the 138th, in the world along with Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Qatar, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

Among the former Soviet republics, Belarus has most of women parliamentarians - 29.1 percent and is on the 21st place in the world; Lithuania is the 32nd (24.8 percent), Latvia 56th (19.0), Estonia 57th (18.8), Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the 62nd (17.5 both), Turkmenistan is 68th (16.0), Azerbaijan 89th 911.3), Kazakhstan 95th (10.4), Russia 98th 99.4), Georgia 99th (9.4), Ukraine 104th (8.7), and Armenia the 123rd with 5.3 percent. IPU

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 25 February - 3 March 2007:

7. On 24 February, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed a decree on forming an investment council under the president as a consulting body to improve investment climate in the country and coordinate activity of the state organizations in the sphere. Taalaibek Koichumanov became the secretary of the council. EBRD envoy to Kyrgyzstan Daniel Berg said on 3 March similar councils were set up in the eight countries of the former USSR and the donors decided supporting three of them - in Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and Armenia - allotting them a 500,000-dollar grant for two years. Kabar

8. On 25 February, Nuriddin Ergeshev and Kobil Halilov from Kyrgyzstan won at the Kickboxing World Cup, held in Ankara, in the weights up to 54 and 67 kg. 24.kg

9. On 26 February, Ulan Melisbek who created and managed the Gazeta.Kg site, reported on dependence of the Internet requests for information on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on the significant events in those countries. Kyrgyz.Us, CentrAsia

10. On 26 February, Ryspek Aibalayev wrote in an article posted on the Russian site Marketing & Consulting that construction of a road to Issyk-Kul Lake by Kazakhstan and the Kazakh entering in the Kyrgyz tourism industry could endanger the Kyrgyz territorial integrity.

11. On 26 February, Kazakh miner Eurasia Gold Inc announced it plans to float shares on the London Stock Exchange next month and raise money to develop three new projects - the Mizek gold copper sulphides and the Bozymchak gold copper deposits in Kyrgyzstan and the Akjilga silver project in Tajikistan from the Mukashev family of Kazakhstan, co-owner of the company and the deposits. The price would be $167.8 million. State Secretary of the Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources Duishenbek Kamchybekov said on 27 February, Kyrgyzstan does not sell the deposits, it gives licenses to develop them and 1,108 licenses had been issued so far. Reuters, Delo, Kabar, BBJ

12. On 26 February, Ibragim Rustambek called former Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev a European-scale person and one of the highest educated statesmen in the world and said his daughter Bermet is also a person deserving of deep respect. Gazeta.kz

13. On 26 February, it became known that the special company Air Manas was registered in Kyrgyzstan last December to maintain flights of the president. Head of the Manas Airport Egemberdi Myrzabekov said the company would organize flights of other Kyrgyz high officials too. 24.kg

14. On 26 February, representatives of the Bishkek City administration said during a meeting with members of the International Business Council that real estate prices are twofold less in Bishkek than the market prices and costs of constructing a single-room flat are about $10,000 and about $15,000 for a double-room one. 24.kg

15. On 27 February, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that position of the Kyrgyz Republic on the Northern Cyprus corresponds to the UN Security Council resolutions. Western media reported on 21 February that Kyrgyz Culture Minister Sultan Rayev met in Nicosia with President Mehmet Ali Talat of the not recognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on 20 February and said that Kyrgyzstan and the TRNC established a very strong and durable bridge of collaboration. ABHaber, Kabar, AKIpress, Regnum

16. On 27 February, Prominent Russian Politician Grigory Yavlinsky said in an interview with Russian "New Izvestia" that the Russian opposition should be formed with a slogan 'For' - for the historical right way of development, for overcoming the Stalinism and Bolshevism, for effective social market system, for a state of human right, otherwise, the opposition could topple the power like in Kyrgyzstan and than would not know what to do further. NI

17. On 27 February, Bolot Shamshiyev, prominent movie director and adviser to the president, said in an interview with the 24.kg news agency that former President Askar Akayev should be tried and convicted, because robbed the whole country. 24.kg

18. On 27 February, the Statistic Committee said population of Kyrgyzstan was 5,218,000 by 1 January 2007 and the growth in 2006 was 51,200. People of working age comprise of 58.6 percent of the population, 120,700 children were born in 2006, or 233 newborns per 10,000 people, and the death rate was 73 per 10,000 people. Interfax, 24.kg

19. On 27 February, Tahir Umarahumov of the Osh Province Police Department said seven criminal cases have already been filed in the province in 2007, connected with trafficking in human, while a single case was in the whole 2006. However, none of the cases reached a court so far. 24.kg

20. On 27 February, First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov said at a meeting with residents of the Bekmoldo village of the Talas Province that the first gold at the Jerooy gold deposit in the province would be produced by the end on 2007. The Austrian company of Global Gold would allot $3 million to the local development fund every year and the Kyrgyz side would receive 40 percent of the profit besides taxes. 24.kg

21. On 27 February, the first meeting of the trial against Nurlan Motuyev was held in the Pervomai District Court of Bishkek, the process began on 16 February and was suspended twice. He is a leader of the Joomart patriotic movement, was detained in Bishkek on 23 May 2006 and is accused of embezzlement at the Kara-Keche coalmine. 24.kg

22. On 27 February, Minister of Justice Marat Kaiypov told journalists in Bishkek that punishment for bigamy should be excluded from the Criminal Code as a part of humanization of legislation. According to him, it was a criminal deed in the Soviet times and was obtruded upon the society. He reiterated the same at a round table discussion held by the Women Discussion Club in Bishkek on 28 February, however, participants of the meeting stated Kyrgyzstan would breach the international convention on preventing any kind of women discrimination if the ministers succeeds. Representatives of the religious society supported the minister. Interfax, Kabar, 24.kg, BPC, AKIpress, Gazeta.kz

On 27 February, the Slavic Foundation of Kyrgyzstan and several other organizations held in Bishkek with support from the Russian Embassy a protest action in the hall of the Bishkek Machine-Building Plant expressing support to the defenders of the Monument to Soviet Liberator-Soldier in Estonia. 24.kg

23. On 27 February in the evening, Bishkek City resident Sabyrjan Sabirov, 62, committed an act of self-immolation in front of the parliament building and was hospitalized in severe conditions and died on 1 March. Burglars entered his house two years ago and he, together with two his sons, stabbed one of them and should have been tried on 28 February. 24.kg, Regnum

24. On 27-28 February, a delegation of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe visited Bishkek. Its Secretary General Gianni Buquicchio said at a meeting with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev on 28 February the new constitution was adopted in Kyrgyzstan and now, all the legislation must be brought in line with it as soon as possible. Bakiyev asked giving their expertise to the new constitution. The delegation met with Prime Minister Azim Isabekov and Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov too, Buquicchio said the European Union would give Kyrgyzstan 3 million euros for reform of the legislation system. Buquicchio also had a meeting with representatives of the civic society at the Interbilim Center and participants of the meeting told him the new constitution was a step backward because many of its clauses contradict to the democratic changes and violate human rights. Kyrgyzstan is the first non-European country joined the commission. 24.kg, Kabar, AKIpress

25. On 27 February, it became known that number of staffers at the presidential administration would cut from 132 to 100 and there would be 112 people in the governmental office instead of previous 144. 24.kg

26. On 28 February, US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Marie Yovanovich told Kyrgyz Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir uulu during their meeting that investigation into the case of Sergeant Zachary Hatfield, who shot to dead Kyrgyz citizen Aleksandr Ivanov at the Manas airbase on 6 December 2006, would be followed out. On 1 March, Yovanovich said at a meeting with Prime Minister Azim Isabekov, devoted to the 15th anniversary of opening of the US embassy in Bishkek, the USA is proud it was one of the first world countries opened its embassy in Kyrgyzstan. Kabar, AKIpress. 24.kg

27. On 28 February, the Committee for Migration and Employment said 1,931,700 people out of 2,116,500 able-bodied citizens of the country were employed in Kyrgyzstan in 2006 and 184,700 people were unemployed. About 73,500 people applied for job in 2006 and 37,600 of them were placed in job. Kabar

On 28 February, the Kyrgyz-Russian (Slavic) University held a conference on foreign debt of a country and its influence on economic and financial activity. 24.kg

28. On 28 February, Minister of Industry, Energy and Fuel Resources Igor Chudinov said the price of kilowatt-hour energy would increase in the country by one percent a month and would reach 0.02 cents in 2009. On 1 March, Chudinov said Kyrgyzstan could turn from an exporter into an importer of electricity in a few years if no urgent actions are taken - deterioration of he equipment in the sector is 50 percent, there is almost no investment into the sphere and internal debt for energy supplies reached 2,700 million soms ($70 million). Kabar

On 28 February, a branch of the Kokushikan Japanese University was opened at the Bishkek University of Humanities. Kabar

29. On 1 March, the Institute for Public Policy published a summary of the round table Kyrgyz Foreign Policy Priorities in 2007, held on 23 February. Former State Secretary Ishenbai Abdurazakov said at it that the main problem of foreign policy is a lack of domestic policy guidelines, with clearly defined national interests, "Foreign policy right now is felt out, so to speak, and we see international relations through the eyes of other countries, not through our own". IPP

30. On 1 March, Chairman of the Liberal Progressive Party Maksat Kunakunov said Kyrgyzstan is able repaying about $30 million of its foreign debt yearly by selling its quotas to industrial countries in frame of the Kyoto Protocol. Kabar

31. On 1 March, Prime Minister Azim Isabekov said at a meeting with the IMF mission led by Paulo Neuhaus that the government would do its best to reach a GDP growth of six percent in 2007. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said on 16 February the government should ensure an 8.2-percent GDP growth in 2007. Kabar, AKIpress

32. On 1 March, the Statistic Committee said total value added production in tourism was 4.114 million soms ($105,000), or 3.6 percent of GDP against 3.3 percent in 2005. Volume of investment into the fixed capital was 1,953 million soms, or more than in 2005 by 1,000 million soms. Kabar

33. On 1 March, Councilor of the Drug Control Agency Timur Isakov told journalists in Bishkek more than four tons of drugs were seized in Kyrgyzstan in 2006, two times more than in 2005 and over 55,000 people in Kyrgyzstan were drug addicts in 2006, 12 percent of them were teenagers. Representative of the UN Office for Drugs and Crimes Victoria Chia added only five percent of drugs trafficked through the Central Asian states is seized. Interfax, Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress

34. On 1 March, first edition of the "De-Facto" newspaper was issued. Former Prime Minister Amangeldi Muraliyev says in an interview in it that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev becomes a hostage of a clan system and the regime in the country turns into 'a totalitarian' one. Finance Minister Akylbek Japarov says Kyrgyzstan stops being a poorest country and Bazarbai Mambetov writes the Kumtor Operating Company (KOC), which develops the biggest gold deposit in Kyrgyzstan, paid 85 million soms of taxes in 2006, while the mobile phone operator KATEL paid 450 million. KOC refuted the information on 2 March. 24.kg, De-Facto, Kabar

35. On 1 March, head of the mission of the International Red Cross Committee Christopher Gaillard said at a meeting in Bishkek with Kyrgyz State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov that the committee would finance a program of fighting chronic tuberculosis to begin in September. 24.kg, Kabar

36. On 1 March, the new model agency All Stars, led by winner of the Miss Portfolio Bishkek contest Aiganysh Aripova, held its first own contest New Face in Bishkek and Aziza won it. Aripova

37. On 1 March, former director of the National Philharmonic Society and former director of the Kyrgyz National Drama Theater Amangeldi Kerimbayev died at 68. 24.kg

38. On 1 March, a Ukrainian Alpinist died while climbing on the Peak Free Korea in Kyrgyzstan. His fellow climbers were able informing the rescue services on it on 3 March only, after they reached down the base camp. RIA Novosti, 24.kg

39. On 2 March, Minister of Justice Marat Kaiypov said at a meeting in Bishkek on reforms in the penitentiary system, organized by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, that due to death penalty has been abolished in the country (because it is not mentioned in the new constitution), the cases of the citizens sentenced to death previously should be reconsidered. Kabar, 24.kg

40. On 2 March, State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov announced a working group he led worked out the all-nation idea of Kyrgyzstan 'Development through Unity' and would present it to the president. Kabar, 24.kg

41. On 2 March, State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov said the national anthem and the flag of Kyrgyzstan could be changed after discussion at the parliament and a special competition would be organized. According to him, the authors of the anthem say they wrote it in the Akayev times under pressure from the authorities. Kabar, 24.kg

42. On 2 March, Paulo Neuhaus, head of the mission of International Monetary Fund (IMF) said at a meeting in Bishkek with Kyrgyz Minister of Finance Akylbek Japarov that IMF would consider its proposal to lessen the Kyrgyz foreign debt according to the MDRI program (Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative), as it was done for Tajikistan or Cambodia as the poorest countries of the world. Kabar, 24.kg

43. On 2 March, Minister of Labor and Social development Uktomkhan Abdullayeva said in an interview with the 24.kg agency there are 550,000 people in Kyrgyzstan, or 10 percent of the population, who receive state welfare payment and the number must be cut. 24.kg

44. On 2 March, Feliks Kulov said in an interview with the Kazakh newspaper "Nachyom s Ponedel'nika" that his supporters prepared his escape when he was in prison, because there were reports that his life was in danger. However, the revolution began and the prison authorities released him voluntarily to avoid ruining the prison by a crowd. Dialog.Kz

45. On 2 March, Flyer Erkinbek Esenaliyev said in an interview with the 24.kg agency that there were 27 air companies registered in Kyrgyzstan in 2006, however, they had only small offices in the republic, did not pay taxes and did fly either in Africa or in the Middle East. 24.kg

46. On 2 March, "Moscow News" reported the new railroad from China to Uzbekistan via Kyrgyzstan would be a shortest way to connect Asia with Western Europe but its construction would change the situation against the Russian interests. MN

47. On 2 March, an exhibition of drawings by Sri Chinmoy (Chinmoy Kumar Ghose), an Indian philosopher and guru who lives in the U.S. since 1964, was opened at the National Arts Museum in Bishkek. 24.kg

48. On 3 March, the government suspended until 1 January 2008 putting into effect its resolution of 12 January, according to which foreigners would have prohibited to trade at the whole-sale and mini markets in Kyrgyzstan starting 1 April 2007, and number of foreigners at the trade centers, hyper and supermarkets should have been not more than 10 percents. 24.kg

49. On 3 March, deputy of parliament and leader of the party 'Union of Democratic Forces' Kubatbek Baibolov said the recent amendments to the constitution led to keeping an old, unbalanced and out of dated state machine, and suggested setting up a new, parity commission to work out a scientifically based constitution draft. 24.kg

50. Appointments and dismissals: on 28 February, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Suyerkul Abdybaly tegin deputy chairman of the National Bank.

Regards, Naryn AIYP.
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Please send your feedback to IdinovN@tiscali.cz
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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 18-24 Feb 2007

2007-02-25T01:54:40Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 18 - 24 FEBRUARY 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. A front appears in Kyrgyzstan.
2. Over 700 US military based overseas, not counting Manas.
3. Kyrgyz would not live at the expense of other nations.
4. Civic society against the International Business Council.
5. Airbase in Kyrgyzstan is not a permanent one - a US general.
6. Kyrgyzstan impedes Tajikistan?
7. Norway and Sweden help developing countries most.
8. Also in the week of 18 - 24 February 2007…

19 February, Monday:

1. A FRONT APPEARS IN KYRGYZSTAN. Several political parties of Kyrgyzstan announced on 19 February about setting up "a temporary structure" called the United Front "For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan", which "puts forward true constitutional reforms as its main goal". The statement of the new organization, released the same day, said, "The newly elected president at pre-term election should be the initiator and the guarantor of the reforms. The members of the United Front strongly believe that the incumbent president cannot play this role", because "people were deceived in their hopes. We can observe that the authorities overtly attempt not only to reconstruct faulty system of family ruling, but also to legalize usurpation of authority by close circle of people, who are tied with family and clannishness".

Leader of the Party Ar-Namys Feliks Kulov, deputies of parliament Kubatbek Baibolov, Omurbek Tekebayev, Kabai Karabekov, and Melis Eshimkanov, former Minister of Internal Affairs Omurbek Subanaliev, Deputy Chairman of the Party Ata-Meken Duishen Chotonov, leader of the Party of Greens Erkin Bulekbaev, leader of the German Diaspora in Kyrgyzstan Valeriy Dil and Coordinator of the Movement For Reforms! Omurbek Abdrakmanov signed the statement. According to Abdrakmanov, Bakiyev must resign due to conditions of the tandem agreement between him and Kulov, however, Baibolov said the same day he did not support pre-term resignation of Bakiyev. One of the leaders of the For Reforms! movement Azimbek Beknazarov said the same day Bakiyev should resign voluntarily. Tekebayev said on 20 February the movements demands resignation of Bakiyev due to Kulov is a members of it and the other members agree Bakiyev has no moral right to keep the presidential post. Deputy Bolot Sherniyazov said the same day the system of governance must be changed in the country, not personalities, and Roza Otunbayeva mentioned there is little logic in demands of the new organization.

The presidential press service replied next day, on 20 February, that the statement of the so called United Front for Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan has neither moral nor political grounds because it distorts the facts and realities and conceals obvious positive changes in the country deliberately. The radicalism of the text shows that its authors pursue the goals other than mentioned in the statement. According to the press service, the authors endanger by such statements not only their own image and the political future but also the political future of the whole state too, because they are irresponsible and divert the society from real actions to improve the life of ordinary people. Sound forces of Kyrgyzstan cannot support their radicalism and the economic and political reforms would be continued, it said. Kabar. 24.kg, Interfax, RIA Novosti, BPC, Kommersant, VN, IWPR, IWPR NBCA, CACI, EurasiaNet, RIA Novosti

2. OVER 700 US MILITARY BASED OVERSEAS, NOT COUNTING MANAS. Chalmers Johnson, president of the US-based Japan Policy Research Institute, reported on the site AlterNet on 19 February that the USA had 737 military bases in other people's countries in 2005. According to him, "Once upon a time, you could trace the spread of imperialism by counting up colonies. America's version of the colony is the military base". He used official data released by Pentagon and Metropolitan Books published his book "Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic" last year. Johnson says, Britannia had "36 naval bases and army garrisons at its imperial zenith in 1898. The Roman Empire at its height in 117 AD required thirty-seven major bases to police its realm from Britannia to Egypt, from Hispania to Armenia" and "the thirty-eight large and medium-sized American facilities spread around the globe in 2005".

However, the Manas airbase near the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek was not included in the "staggeringly big" number of 737 as many other bases were omitted - in Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar" and even in Turkey and Britain - "twenty sites in Turkey, all owned by the Turkish government and used jointly with the Americans" and "military and espionage installations in Britain, which have long been conveniently disguised as Royal Air Force bases", Johnson says. The book also says, "the Pentagon bureaucrats calculated that its overseas bases were worth at least $127 billion - surely far too low a figure but still larger than the gross domestic products of most countries -- and an estimated $658.1 billion for all of them, foreign and domestic", and "during fiscal 2005, the military high command deployed to our overseas bases some 196,975 uniformed personnel as well as an equal number of dependents and Department of Defense civilian officials, and employed an additional 81,425 locally hired foreigners".

About 1,000 militaries are deployed at the Manas airbase near Bishkek and Kyrgyz Finance Minister Akylbek Japarov says Washington paid $17.5 million as lease payment in 2006 plus payments for fuel, food and other services. AlterNet, LAI

20 February, Tuesday:

3. KYRGYZ WOULD NOT LIVE AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER NATIONS. The Kyrgyz government decided on 20 February to back out of the HIPC initiative, the debt relief program for poorest countries offered by the World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev told the government meeting that by joining the program, Kyrgyzstan would have admitted that Kyrgyz are not able resolving their problems themselves and they live on the expense of other nations. According to him, a broad discussion in the Kyrgyz society about the initiative showed Kyrgyzstan is a democratic country. Bakiyev joined the government session after a meeting with newly appointed WB Director for Central Asian Countries Annette Dixson and told the government members the decision would not affect the relations between Kyrgyzstan and the international donor organizations.

Finance Minister Akylbek Japarov alone voted for at the meeting joining, he said it was a single unique opportunity to write off the debt. First Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov said before the vote he would resign if the government decided to join. Prime Minister Azim Isabekov said after the decision was taken the government must now secure an eight-percent annual GDP growth and increase budgetary income by 20 and decrease expenditures by 10 percent every year to repay the debt. Bakiyev said a new counter-crisis program of the government would be announced in mid-March. Her also mentioned all the prices would have rocketed after an electricity tariffs' raising, if Kyrgyzstan joined the program. WB representative to Kyrgyzstan Roger Robinson said the power sector development is unrealistic without increase of the electricity tariffs. Dixson reminded Kyrgyzstan might lose any opportunity to join the HIPC by rejecting it now but added the bank would continue helping Kyrgyzstan in any case.

Head of the OSCE Center in Bishkek Markus Mueller told journalists on 21 February that from the point of economic view, it was necessary for Kyrgyzstan to join the initiative, but the government made a political decision. Erica Marat wrote on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor on 23 February, "Designing an economic program for $2 billion seems unrealistic, if not ridiculous. To make things look even more absurd, Bakiyev invited Kyrgyzstan's World Bank country director, Roger Robinson, to participate in designing the plan". Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress, IHT, Forbes, Itar-Tass, President, WB, IWPR NBCA, EDM

4. CIVIC SOCIETY AGAINST THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL. Over 20 non-governmental organizations appealed on 20 February to the government asking to include representatives of civic society in a working group, which would work out a new law draft on fossils. According to their statement, they were surprised that the International Business Council (IBC) in Bishkek, which lobbies interests of foreign companies and international financing institutions wanting to take control over the Kyrgyz mineral resources, takes part in it. The statement also says that IBC has an aim to eliminate the governmental control over development of fossils, it tries securing that the private companies pay less taxes and work without licenses and without prospecting. Authors of the statement concern that the fossil resources could become either an issue of bargaining or the security of repaying the foreign debt and urge the government acting in interest of the nation. InterBilim, Tazar

21 February, Wednesday:

5. AIRBASE IN KYRGYZSTAN IS NOT A PERMANENT ONE - A US GENERAL. U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Michael Moseley said in New York on 21 February, answering a question by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti that the United States would close its air base in Kyrgyzstan, as well as other bases in Central Asia, as soon as military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq are over. Moseley said he does not consider the base at Manas, and all other bases in Afghanistan and Iraq, as permanent, adding that the United States wants to finish its business there as soon as possible and return to permanent NATO bases. The general added the military presence in Kyrgyzstan is not aimed against Russia, its main purpose is to counter terrorism. According to him, the United States and Russia have many things in common, including the fight against terrorism, international crime and drug trafficking while the base at Manas plays a key role in the military operation in Afghanistan and in the regions as a whole.

"The New York Times" reported on 18 February about the relations between Russia and the West, "After reaching out to Mr. Bush in the first hours after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Mr. Putin and others here have expressed dismay at what they see as a string of broken promises: an unfinished war in Afghanistan, with a growth of heroin production that inevitably reaches Russia; and, even worse, the seeming permanence of an airfield in Kyrgyzstan once billed as temporary. Then there is the war in Iraq, which Russians vehemently opposed and Mr. Putin warned would be catastrophic for regional peace". NYT, RIA Novosti

6. KYRGYZSTAN IMPEDES TAJIKISTAN? Sergey Komlev wrote in an article posted on the Russian site Marketing & Consulting on 21 February that Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov gave an order to the Avesta news agency to discredit President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kyrgyzstan and it issued an article entitled "Here Is the Mafia of Bakiyev". According to the author, the new Kyrgyz authorities strengthens the governmental control over their territory and the Kyrgyz law enforcement bodies began recently pursuing criminals and drug dealers and it impedes trafficking Afghan and Tajik drugs through the Kyrgyz territory.

Avesta Director General Z.Abdullayev replied on 23 February that his agency never issued the article "Here Is the Mafia of Bakiyev" and gave the addresses of the three Kyrgyz web sites where it was posted. However, there is the article "All the Presidential People" by the Kyrgyz newspaper "Public Rating" first appeared on 28 December 2006 and the reposted by those three sites on 28 December and 10 and 15 January. M&C, Avesta, PR, Analitika, Tazar, Compromat

24 February, Saturday:

7. NORWAY AND SWEDEN HELP DEVELOPING COUNTRIES MOST. The Washington ProFile agency reported on 24 February that according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which unites 22 industrialized countries, 11 out of 15 former Soviet republics received 107,000-million-dollar help from OECD in 2005. The USA was the country giving most help - $27,600 million - and is followed by Japan ($13,100 million), Great Britain ($10,800m), Germany and France (about $10,000m each). However, according to percentage of the given help to gross domestic product (GDP), Sweden and Norway are the countries helping most - 0.94 percent. They followed by Luxembourg and the Netherlands (0.82 percent each) and Denmark (0.81 percent).

Ukraine received $410-million foreign aid in 2005, Georgia $310 million, Kyrgyzstan $268m, Tajikistan $241m, Kazakhstan $229m, Azerbaijan $223m, Armenia $193m, Moldova $192m, Uzbekistan $172m, Belarus $58m and Turkmenistan received $28 million. The foreign aid is most important for Kyrgyzstan - it is equal to 11.37 percent of its GDP, Tajikistan is the second - 10.79 percent and Moldova third - 5.85 percent. Washington ProFile

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 18 - 24 FEBRUARY 2007:

8. On 19 February, new Minister of Foreign Affairs Ednan Karabayev said during a meeting with the head of the OSCE Center in Bishkek, Markus Mueller, that Kyrgyzstan is satisfied with the level of cooperation with OSCE. Previous minister Alikbek Jekshenkulov said several times that OSCE should be focused in Kyrgyzstan on economic projects mostly. Kabar, Kyrgyz Weekly

9. On 19 February, Deputy Temir Satiyev said a session of the parliament that the Canadian company of Centerra Gold is about bankruptcy and that is why it wants merging with the other Canadian company, Eldorado Gold. Centerra representatives refuted the Sariyev's statement the same day. The same day, the site Bloomberg reported, "Eldorado Gold Corp., a miner of gold in Mexico, said it discontinued talks with Centerra Gold Inc. on a possible merger…. Centerra confirmed talks ended". On 20 February, First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov told journalists in Bishkek that at the negotiations with the Centerra, held in Moscow on 14-16 February, different options of selling the shares of Centerra, belonged to the government, to Centerra were discussed among other things. According to Usenov, the government would have to sell them. 24.kg, AKIpress, Bloomberg

10. On 19 February, Deputy Minister of Defense Kubanychbek Orozbayev told journalists in Bishkek Kyrgyzstan could form soon a peacekeeping company under the aegis of NATO. 24.kg

11. On 19 February, Deputy Omurbek Tekebayev said at a session of parliament that persecuting of independent media could lead to early resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. According to Tekebayev, the aggressions against the TV channels of NTS, Pyramida, September, and the "Kyrgyz Rukhu" newspaper, as well as the raider attack against KOORT TV are loops of a single chain. AKIpress

12. On 19 February, Chairwoman of the Bishkek City Council Nurjamal Baivolova said in an interview with the agency 24.kg that the Finance Ministry undermines the city activity in its preparations to the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the financial activity of Bishkek as a whole. 24.kg

13. On 19 February, Deputy Chairwoman of the Presidential Commission on Human Rights Aziza Andirasulova met in Cholpon-Ata with detainees who took part in a riot raised in the pre-trial facility of the town on 14 February. According to the detainees, who were beaten severely, policemen tried throwing a special grenade into the cell, however, it blew up in the hand of a policeman and six more policemen were wounded. AKIpress

14. On 20 February, Russian "Kommersant" reported about appearance of the new opposition organization For Decent Future of Kyrgyzstan that the opposition would try holding new rallies in Bishkek in the spring. Kommersant

15. On 20 February, the parliament approved in the first reading the law draft on the state budget for 2007, its income part is 25,194.288 million soms ($654.4m) against the expenditures of 32,145.617 million soms. Parliamentarians increased the planned income and Prime Minister Azim Isabekov said the task before the government became complicated after it. 24.kg, Kabar, Regnum

16. On 20 February, Minister of Finance Akylbek Japarov said at the parliament during the discussion on the state budget that the government is able reaching a GDP growth of 8.2 percent in 2007 as the president demanded on 16 February. According to him, the GDP raised by 7 percent in 2006 if not counting the gold production at Kumtor. Kabar

17. On 20 February, Deputy Bolot Sherniyazov said at a parliamentary session that the British company of Oxus Gold, which was barred from developing the Jerooy gold deposit, sued the Kyrgyz government claiming for $300 million. Prime Minister Azim Isabekov said at the same session the Austrian company of Global Gold, which replaced Oxus, has not yet met any condition included in the contract. On 22 February, authorities of the Talas Province said the pickets of local residents ended and the company developing Jerooy agreed increasing salaries of employees from 6,000 to 10,000 soms (from ($150 to $250) a month, also, more investment would be done to improve life in the village of Bekmoldo. However, human rights activist Kachkyn Bulatov said the same day the conflict was not yet over, because people protest against giving the deposit without a tender to Global Gold, behind which are son of the president Maksim Bakiyev, Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky and businessman from Latvia Valery Belokon. BPC, AKIpress, 24.kg

18. On 20 February, former First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Kyrgyz Communist Party Turdakun Usubaliyev wrote in an article posted on the site Analitika that the international financial organizations should forgive Kyrgyzstan all its foreign debt as a good will gesture, because they gave Kyrgyzstan the loans on tough conditions sometimes. Analitika

19. On 20 February, Mayor of Bishkek Arstanbek Nogoyev stated more than 20 enterprises were closed in the city due to political activity of the international financing organizations, which made a damage of more than 100 million soms ($2.5m) to the city budget. 24.kg

20. On 20 February, the Center for International Trade and Security of the University of the US state of Arizona with support from the US Embassy in Bishkek and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economic Development and Trade held in Bishkek a parliamentary round table discussion on legal issues of the export control. Problems of non-proliferation of weapon of mass destruction and double-purpose technologies were discussed. Kabar

21. On 20 February, Kyrgyz Culture Minister Sultan Rayev met in Nicosia with President Mehmet Ali Talat of the not recognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and said that Kyrgyzstan and the TRNC established a very strong and durable bridge of collaboration, "We aim to further develop this bridge, counter to the efforts to break down this fellowship". TRNC Education and Culture Minister Canan Oztoprak visited Bishkek early in February. ABHaber

22. On 21 February, Kairat Osmonaliev & Johan Engvall wrote in an article posted on the CACI site of the Johns Hopkins University, "Since coming to power, President Bakiev has been showing every sign of ruling the country with a very short time horizon. As such, he wants to see loyal ministers. This illustrates a general dilemma in the country. Personal loyalties and narrow interests are promoted at the expense of meritocracy and autonomy". CACI

23. On 21 February, Chairwoman of the non-governmental organization For Tolerance International Raya Kadyrova said about the possible rallies in Bishkek that Feliks Kulov was against the rallies last November when he was the prime minister and now, he himself could organize them. BPC

24. On 21 February, Director of the human rights center Citizens against Corruption Tolekan Ismailova said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that human rights activist never forgive Feliks Kulov for his secret agreement with the international financing organizations on the Kyrgyzstan's join to the HIPC as well as the Diskettegate initiated by him and his tandem agreement with Kurmanbek Bakiyev. BPC, AKIpress

25. On 21 February, Ibragim Rustambek wrote in an article posted on the site Gazeta.kz that five political scientists, arrived from Russia, control over process of decision-making in the Kyrgyz leadership, However, opposition politician Feliks Kulov too has advisers arrived from Moscow. Gazeta.kz

26. On 21 February, Deputy of Parliament Kabay Karabekov said there is a contradiction in statements of the president and his press service - while the president urges everybody to tighten belts to repay the foreign debt, his press service accuses the opposition of intentional and evident concealment of positive changes in the country. 24.kg

27. On 21 February, Arkady Dubnov reported in Moscow-based "Vremya Novostei" that Russia could influence on the Kyrgyz government's decision not to join the HIPC initiative. Another reason could be that business activity of the son of the president, Maksim Bakiyev, and his partners could be restricted if Kyrgyzstan joined, Dubnov says. VN

28. On 21 February, the Bishkek representative office of the UN High Commissioner on Refugees said 19 more refugees, most of them Uzbek citizens, were sent the same day from Kyrgyzstan to Australia, Canada and the US. Rosbalt

29. On 21 February, head of the OSCE Center in Bishkek Markus Mueller told journalists that a delegation of the Venice Commission arrives in Bishkek next week to study the new Kyrgyz constitution adopted last December. 24.kg

30. On 21 February, Director of the human rights center of Kylym Shamy Aziza Abdirasulova said the Kyrgyz foreign debt was $2,270 million by 1 January 2007. Regnum

31. On 21 February, Aibek Omokeev of the Drug Control Agency said at a conference in Bishkek that Kyrgyzstan had not implemented 19 out of 31 conditions put in an agreement adopted at the Istanbul international anti-corruption conference held on 4 December 2005. Commissioner of the agency Rahmatulla Eraliyev said at the conference the Ministry of Education and Science, the Customs Committee, the Agency for State Purchases as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor General Office do not act enough to fight corruption. 24.kg, Kabar, AKIpress

32. On 21 February, the human rights bulleting "Voice of Freedom" reported about severe conditions at the pre-trial facility in the town of Cholpon-Ata - 15 people are held in a six-square-meter room, nine prevent of detainees have no lawyers and terms of most of them expired. VoF

33. On 21 February, Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov said during a meeting in Bishkek with Ukrainian Ambassador Vladimir Tyaglo that Kyrgyzstan recognized all the debts inherited from the USSR and repaid them in spite of its financial difficulties, however, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine do not recognize their debt to Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek wants them to repay the debts only, without the interests. Kabar

34. On 21 February, Moscow-based "Vremya Novostei" reported the Kyrgyzstan is ready inviting Russian companies to develop its gold deposits and the companies Nornikel and Polymetal are really interested in it. However, they should be sure that Kyrgyz authorities would not treat them like treated Oxus Gold from Britain or Global Gold from Austria. VN

35. On 21 February, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Processing Industry said only 10 percent of agricultural production is processed in the country, because the plants do not work in full capacity due to lack of financing - the rates of loans are too high. 24.kg

36. On 21 February, Minister of Agriculture Talantbek Uzakbayev said brucellosis becomes a national tragedy for Kyrgyzstan - 5,000 people contracted with it in the country in 2006 and more would be in danger in 2007. However, Kyrgyzstan is able to defeat it in 5-6 years if the government finances a special program worked out by the ministry. It needs about 90 million soms in the first year and 20 million in the fifth one. Kabar

37. On 21 February, German Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Klaus Grewlich said at a conference on local governance, held by the European Commission, that creating a potential of local governance is a key issue for Kyrgyzstan now. The conference was held in he village of Koi-Tash near Bishkek. 24.kg

38. On 22 February, Director of the Citizens against Corruption human rights center Tolekan Ismailova told journalists in Bishkek, "The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund should admit their activity in Kyrgyzstan is neither illegitimate, nor accountable and ineffective". 24.kg, Regnum

39. On 22 February, the World Bank representative office in Bishkek refuted accusations of some Kyrgyz officials who said that about $200 million out of the financial help given Kyrgyzstan by international financial organizations was spent for foreign consultants. According to the bank, $604 million out of $776.3 million allotted by the bank was used in Kyrgyzstan since 1992 and of $54.3 million was spent for consultations and 5 percent of the latter sum was paid to foreign specialists. 24.kg

40. On 22 February, Ian Pryde, CEO of Eurasia Strategy & Communications, Moscow, wrote in an article posted on the site of RIA Novosti, "In Europe and the United States, few of those who comment on the 'Stans' have ever lived there - and even fewer have a thorough command of Russian and/or any of the local languages…. Even the Moscow kommentariat frequently got basic facts wrong during their reporting and analysis of the so-called Silk Revolution in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2005". RIA Novosti

41. On 22 February, Jalgap Kazakbayev, councilor to the director general of the Kara-Balta Mining Complex, announced the Russian company of Ural Platina Holding won a tender to buy the governmental stake (72.28 percent) in the complex. The Renova Group by Viktor Vekselberg owns Ural Platina Holding and Yury Korol represented it at the tender, which began on 23 January. Imotu Enterprise of Kyrgyzstan and Stans Energy Corp. of Canada also participated. Profit of the compex was $1.1m in 2005 and its assets cost $7.5 million by 1 January 2006, Ural Platina paid $1.8 million for the complex and promised repaying its debt of $8.5 million and investing in it additional $25m to $30m. 24.kg, Expert, Vedomosti, ABN

42. On 22 February, the Ministry of Finances said 73,700 unemployed were registered in the country by 1 February 2007, the number increased by 5.5 percent compared to January 2006. According to the CIS Statistical Committee, the total number of unemployed in Kyrgyzstan in 2006 was 200,000, or 9 percent of able-bodied citizens. AKIpress. Kabar

43. On 22 February, the Foreign Ministry said the government of South Korea decided on 22 February to include Kyrgyzstan in an official list of countries providing labor migrants to South Korea. 24.kg

44. On 22 February, Kanatbek Abdrakhmetov, director of the Seismology Institute of the Kyrgyz National Academy of Sciences, said the institute would begin by 2008 modernizing its network of seismic stations providing them with digital equipment with support from the World Bank (WB), which would take $2 million. According to him, the institute needs 17 such stations, first of them is being build with help from the Norstar company of Norway and equipment for seven more has been bought for money from WB. 24.kg

45. On 22 February, Director of the non-governmental organization Citizens against Corruption Tolekan Ismailova told journalists in Bishkek that 1,533 out of 4,133 people should have been in the penitentiary-settlement are on the run actually. AKIpress

46. On 23 February, Gulnara Iskakova, Expert of the Center for Political and Legal Studies, wrote in an article posted on the site of the Institute for Public Policy, that the new constitution has "variance between large powers of the president, reduced powers of parliament and lack of their accountability to the people for Cabinet's policy". IPP

47. On 23 February, Zainidin Kurmanov said in an interview to the Bishkek Press Club that the Kyrgyz opposition should get rid of some personalities; it must differ from the authorities by quality, not quantity of its member, as well as by its aims and priorities. BPC

48. On 23 February, the Asian Development Bank announced it provides a 10 million U.S. dollar grant to help the government of the Kyrgyz Republic adapt its vocational education system to market demands. Xinhua, Fibre2fashion

49. On 23 February, the documentary "Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan" by Peter Lom was shown in the US state of Oregon in frame of the three-week Margaret Mead Traveling Film and Video Festival, which began on 9 February. It was presented by the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Oregon Daily Emerald

50. Appointments and dismissals: on 21 February, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Turusbek Sultanaliev the first deputy governor of the Chui Province replacing Alisher Sakebayev. On 22 February, Bakiyev appointed his special envoy to the parliament Alymbai Sultanov new director of the Drug Control Agency, as well as Jusupbek Sharipov the Kyrgyz ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Kaseyin Tokochbayev the director of the Finance Police. Kabar,

Naryn AIYP.

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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 11-17 Feb 2007

2007-02-18T10:28:10Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 11 - 17 FEBRUARY 2007
_____________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. Profitableness of independence in Kyrgyzstan is low.
2. Parliament has little influence on decision making about the state budget.
3. EU urges the new Kyrgyz government to continue reforms.
4. Kulov burns his bridges.
5. Kulov can make serious problems to Bakiyev.
6. Akayev praises Kulov.
7. President for spiritual revival.
8. Also in the week of 11 - 17 February 2007…

12 February, Monday:

1. PROFITABLENESS OF INDEPENDENCE IN KYRGYZSTAN IS LOW. Russian "Kommersant" published on 12 February results of research made by the Renaissance Capital Company. According to them, the oil-producing countries are the leaders in economic reforms among the former Soviet republics, with exception of the Baltic States, - even Belarus, which uses the Russian pipeline for it. However, Estonia increased its GDP per capita from $6,000 in 1994 to $18,000 in 2006, while Moldova ($2,500 in 2006) and Kyrgyzstan ($2,000) are at the bottom of the list. Kyrgyzstan is the last one according to the integrated index too, but is the third on the inflation rate and the sixth according to level of dragged foreign investment. Kommersant, Regnum

13 February, Tuesday:

2. PARLIAMENT HAS LITTLE INFLUENCE ON DECISION MAKING ABOUT THE STATE BUDGET. Minister of Finance Akylbek Japarov told a parliamentary session on 13 February that the over-expenditure of the state budget was $42.5 million in 2006 - the government spent 25,595 million soms instead of planned 23,936 millions. Deputy Temir Sariyev replied the government must have coordinated the budget changes with the parliament. Deputy Isa Omurkulov suggested holding a vote of non-confidence to Japarov and gave an example that only 1.7 out of 6.0-som customs due gets the state budget. Deputy Akmatbek Keldibekov said the government reported about the $200-million trade turnout with China in 2005 while the Chinese side says the turnout was 10 times more - $2,000 million. However, the parliament approved the budget on 15 February and Sariyev said a dangerous precedent was set and the parliament has now very little influence on the process of decision making about the state budget. Chairman of the parliamentary committee on legislation Iskhak Masaliyev said the parliament should raise an issue of confidence vote to Japarov because he demanded approving the budget without explaining what the proposes the money was spent. According to him, the entire government resigned without a reason last December and the parliament should have accepted it. Regnum, Kabar, 24.kg

3. EU URGES THE NEW KYRGYZ GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE REFORMS. First Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov took part in Brussels on 13 February, in the ninth session of the Council Kyrgyzstan-European Union, which discussed the political situation in Kyrgyzstan and aspects of cooperation between the EC and Kyrgyzstan. German representative Gernot Erler, who led the EU delegation, said after the meeting the EU was aware of corruption and the impact of criminal organizations in Kyrgyzstan, "This represents a major challenge to Kyrgyzstan and this is something we will continue to cooperate with". The EU urged the new Kyrgyz government to continue political and economic reforms. EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner told Usenov during a separate meeting in Brussels that the EU would allocate Kyrgyzstan 2,5 million euros to a project supporting the national legislation, penal and court systems reforming. Usenov also met in Brussels with Martin Erdman, an assistant to the NATO secretary general for political issues and security policy, who said NATO would consider a possibility to set up a trustee fund to solve the problems of uranium wastes in Kyrgyzstan. 24.kg, Kabar

14 February, Wednesday:

4. KULOV BURNS HIS BRIDGES. Former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov, who resigned on 25 January and then visited Moscow, made a high statement in Bishkek on 14 February, accusing people he worked with before of deceit and meanness. According to him, he felt both "disgust because of deceit, dishonesty and meanness" he faced again and relief because got rid of having "to work and communicate with people for whom betrayal and selling their own conscious is a norm of life". However, he had to choose between confrontation and stability when he was the prime minister and chose often to follow the promise to be a reliable partner in the tandem with the president but undermined his reputation by it and was criticized fairly.

Kulov said he took a decision not to lock himself within his party Ar-Namys, but "to unite and head various public and political bodies, those who long for positive changes in the country, want to work for the society and not to serve separate political figures and groups", because there are the real threats in Kyrgyzstan now, which can lead the country to catastrophe - "a bunch of people try to takeover the property belongs to others, including the state property; people are deliberately divided according to regional origin… Criminals are strengthening again" and he simply have to fight it. Also, according to Kulov, he was against the HIPC initiative but had to use it to fight corruption, because the government was helpless in protecting the national interests.

After the speech, Kulov told journalists, "I am not an opposition leader; the most important thing is to create an idea, which will unite everybody who wants fundamental changes… I decided to help people, not the incumbent authorities". Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebaev said, "What Kulov has done is a principal action of an honest person". Vice Speaker of the Parliament Erkinbek Alymbekov said Kulov has more potential than the president. Former Speaker of the Parliament Medetkan Sherimkulov said Kulov burnt his bridges and he could not step backward now. President of the Association of Entrepreneurs of Kyrgyzstan Omurbek Abdrakmanov commented, "We are politicians, and are ready to unite with Kulov against these authorities. Moreover, we will unite with anyone who is against these authorities". According to former State secretary Ishenbai Abdrazakov, the third forces could use the created situation, however, Kulov would have remained a premier if the president supported him. Deputy Azimbek Beknazarov pointed out that Kulov said he would unite some forces but did not define precisely for what proposes.

Press Secretary of the President Nurlan Shakiev responded to the Kulov's statement the same day saying, "President Kurmanbek Bakiev has never violated the tandem conditions, as it was stated". According to Shakiyev, the president strictly followed all the tandem agreements until the very end, but Kulov had to quit because of confrontations with the parliament, not with the president. The president could not dismiss the highest legislative body just because of one person…. Kulov’s statement proves that he took the situation originally". Aleksei Vlasov of the Moscow Lomonosov University said the same day in an interview with RIA Novosti that Kulov had no choice after it was unveiled that the tandem broke-up due to a strategy of Bakiyev himself, not because of intrigues in the government. Tursunbek Akun, chairman of the Human Rights Commission under the President, said on 15 February, the participants of the Bakiyev-Kulov tandem agreed in December that Kulov would resign and Bakiyev would dissolve the parliament. However, according to Akun, Kulov should not have resigned if he was a wise politician and the statement made by him on 14 February, should have made back in November.

On 15 February, Deputy of Parliament Kubatbek Baibolov said it would be better if the Kyrgyz politicians understand the situation in the country before their resignations not after, however, he admitted the single working business in Kyrgyzstan is now the public service. Chairman of the Social-Democratic Party Almaz Atambayev doubted Kulov would say the same words if the parliament approved him a prime minister. According to him, Kulov was involved in the political games last December, which led to loss of the November achievement - the constitution of a parliamentary republic. Deputy Azimbek Beknazarov said on 16 February that Kulov was late with his statement; he kept silence for two years and even tried dissolving the parliament most recently and tried keeping his premier post. 24.kg, Kabar,, EurasiaNet, RIA Novosti, Reuters, IHT, MN, VN, BPC,

15 February, Thursday:

5. KULOV CAN MAKE SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO BAKIYEV. Russian "Kommersant" reported on 15 February that the Feliks Kulov's join to the opposition could bring serious problems to President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. According to Kulov, he would fight the threats endangering the country and he would not be alone in it and the opposition could unite. Some influential opposition politicians, who accused Kulov of betrayal before supports him now, the paper says. Ibragim Rustambek and Viktoria Panfilova reported in Kazakh Gazeta.Kz and in Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" on 15 February that a new revolution situation could spring up in Kyrgyzstan now. Kommersant, Gazeta.Kz, NG

6. AKAYEV PRAISES KULOV. Erica Marat wrote in an article, posted on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor on 15 February, about the first public appearance of former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov after his resignation, "Many people doubt his ability to lead the opposition after his weak performance in the government over the last two years…. Against the background of Kulov's weak performance under both Akayev and Bakiyev, he is unlikely to play a leading role as an opposition member in the future. Kulov was not able to make any visible strikes against corruption in the government or to enhance the work of the ministerial cabinet". According to her, "at the press conference Kulov talked about corruption, tribalism, the criminalization of state power, and the government's usurpation of free mass media. However, his allegations were rather general, lacking more precise assessments of the current political situation and potential developments". The author also wrote, "Shortly before the February 14 press conference, Kulov reportedly visited Moscow to seek support from Russian politicians and businessmen. Although no official confirmations are available, reports suggest that Kulov is rebuilding his ties with Akayev".

The same day, on 15 February, Arkady Dubnov wrote in Moscow-based "Vremya Novostei" that former Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev praised the Kulov's move during a discussion at the Moscow Carnegie Center on 14 February saying it is a step of a responsible and brave politician. However, Akayev added, if Kulov did it last November, he would have become a leader of the nation, not a leader of the opposition as it is now. EDM, VN

16 February, Friday:

7. PRESIDENT FOR SPIRITUAL REVIVAL. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said at a meeting with creative intelligentsia in Bishkek on 16 February that finding a way out of a spiritual crisis in the country should be a main strategic aim of the state because a spiritual crisis is more dangerous than an economic one. According to him, representatives of the creative intelligentsia should control the society developments and he waits for their suggestions and proposals. Bakiyev also said he signed a special decree on working out a national program of developing the spiritual culture for 2007-2010 and honored Poet Sooronbai Jusuev and Writer Tologon Kasymbekov with the Ak-Shumkar signs of Hero of Kyrgyzstan. Two other persons, Aitymbet Orozbek and Toktosun Samudinov were granted the honorary titles of people's writer and people's poet.

Prominent Writer Tchingiz Aitmatov said at the meeting that the creative people of Kyrgyzstan became not ready for recent changes in the society and the Kyrgyz media does not correspond to contemporary demands. Minister of Culture and Information Sultan Rayev complained the government allots only 0.96 percent of GDP to culture and only 11 new clubhouses were opened in the country in recent years while 1,200 new mosques appeared. Bakiyev said writers and poets as well as other authors must receive enough as honorariums and the museums should be granted special status. According to the president, 500 million soms ($13 million) would be given to culture; 200 million of that sum is the budget of the ministry and 120 more million goes for cinematography. Kabar, 24.kg, BPC

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 11 - 17 FEBRUARY 2007:

8. On 12 February, Expert of the Asia Analitika Foundation Ajdar Kurtov wrote in an article posted on the site Asiainform that China worked step by step to persuade the new Kyrgyz leaders that the state borders inherited by Kyrgyzstan from the USSR were not adequate borders and at the end, Kyrgyzstan agreed there were some disputed areas and the new border line were drawn and Kyrgyzstan lost some territories. Asiainform

9. On 12 February, Sergei Demidenko of the Russian Institute for Strategic Assessments reported on the site PrognosiΣ the events of March 2005 should have moved Kyrgyzstan towards developing the liberal standards, however, the country was not able getting rid from the common problems of the Central Asian region. PrognosiΣ

10. On 12 February, the parliament approved seven new members of the Supreme Court out of 11 candidates nominated by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Almagul Alpieva, Baktygul Amanaeva, Burulkan Jamankulova, Sheraly Jakypbaev, Suerkul Naatov, Kubanych Mombekov, and Oruzgul Sydykov became judges of the Supreme Court. The candidacies of Jenish Dosmatov, Samudin Jumaev, Nikolai Makarov, and Erkinbek Toktomambetov were rejected. 24.kg

11. On 12 February, Prime Minister Azim Isabekov signed a decree to cut personnel of the government office by 20 percent. Head of the government staff Tynychbek Tabaldiyev said the same day the cut personnel would be recommended to work at the newly formed ministries and other bodies. 24.kg, Кабар

12. On 12 February, Director of the SENTI Company Nelly Simonova said in an interview with "Expert-Kazakhstan" that Kyrgyzstan faces a dilemma now - on the one hand it wants to join the HIPC Initiative but would loose its attractive possibilities for foreign investment, on the other hand, it has no internal resources to develop perspective business. Expert-Kazakhstan

13. On 12 February, Valentin Bogatyryov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that Russia is interested in Central Asia in energetics only while the US could also be interested in democracy and human rights. However, the Russians are interested in those projects only to bar the other competitors from entering the region, and it is the basic motive of the Russian interest to Kyrgyzstan. BPC

14. On 12 February, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote, "Amendments to Kyrgyz language legislation that will guarantee that ethnic minorities can conduct official business in their own language could weaken national unity and increase tension". IWPR NBCA

15. On 12 February, Moscow-based "Finansovyie Izvestia" reported that Moscow has to create some agreements with Kyrgyzstan to stimulate it making obstacles to Ukraine on its way to become a member of the World Trade Organization. FI

16. On 12 February, the office of the independent weekly newspaper "Kyrgyz Rukhu" in Bishkek was burnt down. According to Editor-in-Chief Bolot Tashtanaliev, somebody broke the window at about 2 o'clock in the morning, poured with petroleum and set fire. His deputy Jazgul Masaliyeva said a critical material about business-manager of the presidential staff Kurmanbek Temirbayev was prepared to be published on 13 February. Kabar, 24.kg, BPC

17. On 13 February, Chairwoman of the Committee on Migration and Employment Aigul Ryskulova told journalists in Bishkek 34,400 Kyrgyz citizens left Kyrgyzstan in 2006 and the total number of exodus from the country was 547,000 people in 1990-2006. Now, about 350,000 Kyrgyz citizens work abroad. AKIpress, 24.kg

18. On 13 February, Chairwoman of the Committee on Migration and Employment Aigul Ryskulova said there are 424,400 unemployed in Kyrgyzstan; it is 16.8 percent able-bodied population. 24.kg, Kabar

19. On 13 February, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Migration and Employment Janysh Alimbayev said at a presentation of the National Program of Employment until 2010 that the government plans creating 30,000 to 40,00 jobs yearly and the annual growth of the GDP should be not less than three percent to stabilize the situation. 24.kg

20. On 13 February, Minister of Finance Akylbek Japarov told a parliamentary session the Kyrgyz government receives $17.404 million yearly since 2006 as a lease payment for the US airbase at the Manas airport, while it did not receive anything for the lease in the previous 5 years and the total income was about $40 millions as taxes and other dividends in that period. Kabar, 24.kg, Kabar

21. On 13 February, Chairwoman of the Social Fund Olga Lavrova said at a meeting of the fund the tariff of payment to the fund would be cut by 2 percent in 2007 to 27 percent of a salary fund of a paying organization. According to her, an average pension rate in the country would reach 1,028 soms ($26) a month starting 1 May 2007, or more than in 2006 by 123 soms. Kabar

22. On 13 February, Igor Rotar wrote on the site of RIA Novosti of Russia the Central Asia authorities look like failing in their fight on the Islamic radicals due to a legal vacuum in post-revolution Kyrgyzstan, as well as extreme poverty and corruption in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. RIA Novosti

23. On 13 February, Expert of the Institute for Strategic Studies under the Kyrgyz president Ikboljan Mirsayitov said in an interview with the Internet-Newspaper Tazar that religious leader who organized Hajj included some citizens of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Chine in the Kyrgyz delegation for money and some leaders of the groups of pilgrims could raise up to $50,000 each during a single Hajj. Tazar

24. On 13 February, Ibragim Rustambek wrote in an article posted on the site Gazeta.Kz that the Turkish TV Channel 7 and the magazine First Business called Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev the man of Eurasia in 2006 for his activity to keep integrity of Kyrgyzstan, stabilization of situation and fight on corruption and criminal world, however, the Kyrgyz opposition criticizes Bakiyev for his failure in very the same areas. Gazeta.Kz

25. On 13 February, the TV Channel Mir reported that the Kyrgyz parliament would consider soon conditions of selling the Kristall plant in Tash-Komur, the single plant in the CIS, which produces poly crystal silicon. The starting price is expected to be $5 million and $10 million more would be needed for reconstruction. Mir

26. On 13 February, Lawyer Galina Skripkina said that Marina Ivanova, the widow of Aleksandr Ivanov, who was shot dead by US Sergeant Zakary Hatfield at the Manas airbase on 6 December 2006, sued the employer, Aircraft Petrol Management, on 9 January claiming for 20-fold yearly salary of her husband. It became known on 16 February that a trial would begin on 2 March. She also sued the US government on 19 January. 24.kg

27. On 13 February, Deputy of Parliament Dooronbek Sadyrbayev suggested closing of the regional branches of the National TV and Radio Company because they are not able competing with the other TV channels while the state spends about 1,000 million soms for then yearly. According to him, keeping correspondents in the provinces would be enough and the national company itself takes enough time to praise the authorities. Kabar, AKIpress

28. On 14 February, the EurasiaNet site reported that Shairbek Juraev, research director at the Institute for Public Policy in Bishkek, said at a 9 February Open Forum in New York, organized by the Central Eurasia Project of the Open Society Institute, that if then Prime Minister Feliks Kulov had switched sides in November, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's presidency might not have been able to recover politically, and the constitutional crisis might have ended with Kyrgyzstan becoming a solid parliamentary republic. EurasiaNet

29. On 14 February, political correspondent of the "Vremya Novostei" newspaper Arkady Dubnov said during a live interview at the Echo of Moscow radio station that there is not real political parties in the Kyrgyz parliament and it is due to previous policy of former President Askar Akayev. Echo of Moscow

30. On 14 February, the non-governmental organization Kylym Shamy demanded to unveil the full details of the government meeting on joining of Kyrgyzstan to the HIPC initiative, held the same day. Minister of Finance Akylbek said at the meeting that a decision must be taken before 20 February and the government members agreed that the joining conditions are acceptable. 24.kg, Kabar

31. On 14 February, the first cinema school began in Bishkek. The nine-month courses are organized by the Kyrgyz Cinema Development Foundation and the Kyrgyzfilm Studio with support from the Dutch Hivas Foundation and Internews-Kyrgyzstan. Instructors are well known Script Writer Talip Ibraimov, Movie Director Algimantas Vidugiris, other specialists. Gulmira Kerimova and Artykbai Suyundulov head the project. 24.kg

32. On 14 February, Kyiv-based "Business Weekly" reprinted an interview with prominent Kyrgyz businessman Tabyldy Egemberdiyev, president of the Shoro Company. He said he began his business from getting $200 by selling four sheep and two goats of his mother. According to him, he could have had all 100 percent of shares of the company but keeps 35 percent only and gave the others to people who began the business together with him. Business Weekly

33. On 14-16 February, First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov held negotiations in Moscow with the Centerra Gold Company of Canada, which develops the Kumtor gold deposit in Kyrgyzstan and plans merging with Eldorado Gold, also of Canada. It was decided to continue talks in Bishkek later. Prime Minister Azim Isabekov asked the parliament including several parliamentarians in a Kyrgyz delegation only on 13 February, saying he was against such a merge, and parliamentarians refused going to Moscow. 24.kg, AKIpress. Kabar

34. On 15 February, former State Secretary Ishenbai Abdrazakov said the current political system of Kyrgyzstan must be changed and the society should return to the situation created just after the event of 24 March 2005, when all the people were united against the regime of Askar Akayev. The incumbent president, according to Abdrazakov, strengthened the presidential power more and the president would not have done it if he were a professional politician. 24.kg

35. On 15 February, Sanobar Shermatova said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that policy of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev aims at monopolizing the power, whoever it is not possible now in Kyrgyzstan because the society is alive and the opposition in strong enough in the country.

36. On 15 February, Deputy of Parliament Bolot Sherniyazov said again the government damaged the state budget by selling shares of the Centerra Gold Company of Canada - it sold 13 percent of the shares for $86 million several years ago and the 10 percent of shares are now $246 million. 24.kg

37. On 15 February, the Prosecutor General Office accused the leadership of the Agency for Intellectual Property of embezzlement. Director of the agency Roman Omorov replied on 16 February there is no ground for accusations and he got to know about the investigation from media. According to him, State secretary of the agency Kalnur Ormushev organized the discrimination. Kabar, 24.kg

38. On 15 February, Police Department of the southern Osh Province said they detained Muhamadali Tursun Talip, 30, a Chinese citizen, in the town of Uzgen on 12 February. According to police, he escaped from the Colony 44 in the northern Kyrgyz town of Cholpon-Ata on 19 November 2006 and, according to the Chinese side, he is a member of the Uyghur separatist organization of ShAT (Shark Azatlyk Tashlikoti - the Organization for Liberty of the East) and came from China to Kyrgyzstan several years ago to recruit supporters. Kabar, 24.kg

39. On 15 February, it became known that after the public protests, the Agency for Anti Monopoly Policy cancelled its own decrees of 25 January and 2 February, which raised the tariffs for centralized heating in Bishkek City, and the city residents could now pay for the service according to the tariffs established in 2002. 24.kg

40. On 15 February, the state company of National Electrical Network of Kyrgyzstan (NENK) stated the debt of the distributing companies Sever Electro, Vostok Electro, Osh Electro and Jalal-Abad Electro to it reached 2,300 million soms ($58 million) and it is not able fulfilling its commitments before the state budget, creditors and suppliers due to it. Galina Makarova of the Tax and Dues Committee said on 14 February, the tax debt of the NENK reached 1,970.6 million soms being increased 5,000 times since 1 January 2005. Kabar. 24.kg

41. On 15 February, it was announced the Kyrgyz-Russian trade turnover reached $750 million in 2006 and the annual growth was 38.7 percent. 24.kg

42. On 15-18 February, a conference on problems and future of Russian compatriots living in Kyrgyzstan is held in Cholpon-Ata. 24.kg

43. On 16 February, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev met in Bishkek with heads of local and regional administrations and urged them supporting businesspersons and creating good psychological climate for people. He said any decisions by local authorities should be coordinated with representatives of civil society before being taken. According to Bakiyev, the government should ensure a 8.2-percent GDP growth in 2007. The Finance Ministry said on 14 February it forecasts the economic growth in 2007 would be 5.5 percent. Kabar

44. On 16 February, the government informed it plans implementing about 30 projects in 2007-2010, which would replace the $95-million-worth import by Kyrgyzstan-produced goods and the annual growth of export would be 17 percent, or $170 million. Kabar, 24.kg

45. On 16 February, Co-Chairman of the Party of Union of Democratic Forces Bakyt Beshimov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that there were nor precedent in history when Kyrgyz would have united 'For' something, they united, if united, always 'Against'. BPC

46. On 16 February, Maksim Bakiyev, son of the president, said in an interview with the Agym newspaper that he is not owner of the Bitel GSM Operator, the Kant Slate Plant or the Fifth TV Channel as some media reported. Neither, he has no relations with both Aidar Akayev and Boris Berezovsky and considers himself as a businessman on a CIS scale. 24.kg, Tazar, AKIpress

47. On 17 February, Russian auto travelers Svetlana Gorkina and Gennady Plekhanov wrote on the site 4x4 Club that the torpedo test basis on the Lake Issyk-Kul was move to Kyrgyzstan from the Caspian Sea in 1943, during the World war Two, and in the 1950s, there were experiments to extract uranium from the Issyk-Kul water. 4x4 Club

48. On 16 February, the Prague-based magazine "Transition Online reported on bribes in Kyrgyz higher education system, "Ruslan - not his real name - is a second-year student at a university in Osh, elected by his classmates to represent them in talks with teachers and administrators. One of his important roles is to pay the bribes necessary for his classmates to get the grades they want…. Typically, a student who chooses to buy an education pays between 1,500 and 2,000 som (about $40 to $50) per semester". TOL

49. On 17 February, Prime Minister Azim Isabekov said at a government meeting the country would transfer to a regime of rigid economy to repay the foreign debt and there would be not only a 20-percent cut of personnel but also many other limits in expenditures. RIA Novosti

50. Appointments and dismissals: On 12 February, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed First Deputy Defense Minister General Zamir Moldoshev the commander of the Border Guard Service, dismissing Zakir Tilenov. On 14 February, Bakiyev appointed heads of the four state agencies: Adamjan Joldoshev became the director of the Agency on Registration of Rights on Immovable Property; Ishenbai Kadyrbekov - director of the Agency on Architecture and Construction; Arstanbek Davletkeldiev - director of the Agency on Environment Protection and Forestry; and Jumazarlyk Nurjanov - director of the State Agency on Material Reserves and State Purchases. Also on 14 February, the president appointed former Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Yevgeny Semyonenko deputy head of the presidential administration replacing Aibek Alybayev. 24.kg, Kabar

Naryn AIYP.
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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 4-10 Feb 2007

2007-02-11T10:57:58Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 4 - 10 FEBRUARY 2007
________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. The premier offers a new government set-up.
2. People cannot expect much from the new government - Otunbayeva.
3. The president begins appointing members of the new government.
4. Kyrgyzstan could reject the HIPC initiative.
5. Forming of a new government is completed.
6. Moral principles must be revived - Tekebayev.
7. Residents of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are the 'slenderest' in the CIS.
8. Government members should serve the people - the president.
9. The new Kyrgyz government:
10. Also in the week of 4 - 10 February 2007...

5 February, Monday:

1. THE PREMIER OFFERS A NEW GOVERNMENT SET-UP. Prime Minister Azim Isabekov presented the parliamentary committee on legislation on 5 February a renewed law draft on a structure of the government and after a long and heated discussion - more than 40 parliamentarians took part in discussion - agreed to elaborate it further. The premier suggested in the new draft only two positions of vice premiers, while in the draft presented on 30 January and then re-presented on 1 February, there were three such posts. New name of the National Security Service (NSS) raised heated debate - Isabekov suggested to name it the Committee of State Security (KGB in Russian). Before, the country president controlled the NSS directly and now, it is included in the government structure and is reorganized into a committee. First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov said during the discussion there were 48 ministries in Kyrgyzstan during the Soviet times, their number were cut to 27 after the country got independence and now, the number is 19. However, together with the agencies, 34 bodies were included in the structure.

Isabekov presented the parliament next day, on 6 February, a modified structure of the government and the parliament approved it the same day by 57 votes. However, such bodies as the State Archive Agency and the Agency on Intellectual Property were not included in the government. The same day, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed the law of the government structure into effect and made the first appointments. Sapar Orozbakov, director of the Bishkek Centre for Economic Analyses, said in an interview with the Institute for War and Peace Reporting on 7 February that the whole system of government is so "poorly thought-out and illogical" that even personnel cuts would have little impact on its performance. Kyrgyzstan should have no more than ten ministries if government is to become more efficient. Interfax, Kabar, 24.kg, RIA Novosti, Interfax, IWPR

2. PEOPLE CANNOT EXPECT MUCH FROM THE NEW GOVERNMENT - OTUNBAYEVA. Co-Chairwoman of the Asaba Party Roza Otunbayeva, who made recently a tour over several European countries, said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club on 5 February, that the incumbent president is lack of ideas, he has no exact program and aim and people cannot expect much from him. In addition, he appointed a puppet premier, so we have dullness and ignorance now; it is a tragedy for the country. According to her, resigned premier Feliks Kulov would still claim on himself. Otunbayeva also told other journalists in Bishkek the same day, it is difficult for Kyrgyz who lived for 100 years under a khan, then the same period of time under the Russian tsar and Bolsheviks and then 15 years under the autocratic regime of Askar Akayev to get rid of authoritarianism quickly and to move to parliamentarianism. According to her, one of the reasons why the relations between the European Union and Kyrgyzstan are not very effective so far, is that the Kyrgyz diplomats working in Europe are not very high professionals. BPC, 24.kg

6 February, Tuesday:

3. THE PRESIDENT BEGINS APPOINTING MEMBERS OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev who received the right to appoint government members without approval by the parliament according to the new constitution adopted on 30 December 2006, appointed on 6 February Daniyar Usenov the first vice prime minister and former Minister of Education and Science Dosbol Nur uulu as the vice prime minister. According to the presidential decrees, former Vice Prime Minister Tynychbek Tabaldiev became the chief of the government staff in a rank of minister replacing Turusbek Koyonaliyev. Former Director of the Drug Control Agency Bolotbek Nogoybayev was appointed minister of internal affairs instead of Omurbek Subanaliyev; former Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Uktomkhan Abdullayeva replaced Yevgeny Semyonenko as the minister. Ministers of defense Ismail Isakov, transport and communications Nurlan Sulaimanov, justice Marat Kaiypov, and Chairman of the Committee for State Property Tursun Turdumambetov kept their posts. Chairpersons of the State Agency for Migration and Employment Aigul Ryskulova and Chairman of the National Security Service Murat Sutalinov became the heads of the corresponding committees.

Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov said the same day Janysh Bakiyev, a brother of the president, influenced the government appointments. Another parliamentarian, Omurbek Tekebayev, said the president began getting rid of the cadres of former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov.

Next day, on 7 February, Bakiyev appointed former Deputy Minister of Education and Science Kanybek Osmonaliyev the minister; Salaidin Aidarov the chairman of the Customs Committee; Turusbek Mamashev the head of the newly formed Agency on Tourism; and Bektur Asanov as the director of the reorganized Agency on Sport, Physical Education, Youth Affairs and Child Protection. Ministers of finance Akylbek Japarov, culture Sultan Rayev, health care Shailoobek Niyazov kept their posts. Chairman of the Tax Agency Toktobek Akmatov became chairman of the reorganized committee. Also, Bakiyev appointed former governmental chief-of-staff Turusbek Koyonaliyev director of the Agency on Information Resources and Technologies. Regnum, 24.kg, Kabar, RIA Novosti, Itar-Tass

7 February, Wednesday:

4. KYRGYZSTAN COULD REJECT THE HIPC INITIATIVE. The Jebe youth organizations held in Bishkek on 7 February a public hearing on ways to relieve foreign debt burden alternative to HIPC. Former Prime Minister Kubanychbek Jumaliyev, Former State Secretary Ishenbai Abdrazakov, Former foreign ministers Roza Otunbayeva and Muratbek Imanaliev, deputies of parliament and representatives of non-governmental organizations participated. Parliamentarian Temir Sariev said at the hearing the HIPC initiative is a danger to Kyrgyz statehood because the country is getting addicted to foreign help. Chairman of the Association of Oil Traders Bazarbay Mambetov said the government can increase state income by 6,000 to 7,000 million soms a year from proper activity of the Manas Airport, Kumtor gold enterprise, Tokmok glass factory, Kant cement-slate plant, coal and power industries. Director of the Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law Natalia Ablova proposed introducing in the economy a concept of 'illegitimate debt'. The forum participants demanded to revise what state officials received what foreign loans and what way used them.

The same day, the representative offices of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund said Kyrgyzstan should decide on its joining the HIPC initiative itself, and none of the donor organizations, included the WB and IMF, would have any benefits from the programs of reducing the debts of other countries. Erica Marat wrote in an article posted on the site Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst of the Johns Hopkins University the same day that the HIPC initiative, which gives Kyrgyzstan more advantageous positions than to previous HIPC clients, is likely to fail in Kyrgyzstan, and one of the reasons is that it is potentially harmful to Kyrgyzstan's relations with Russia. On 8 February, she reported on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor, "Some top Kyrgyz officials oppose reforms in the energy sector because it would threaten a major source of corruption. Few of these officials were involved in the government's recent reshuffle" and "while Bakiyev's new government is rejecting the HIPC, it is not capable of designing any alternative strategy to reduce Kyrgyzstan’s $2 billion external debt". Kabar, 24.kg, AKIpress, BPC, CACA, EDM

8 February, Thursday:

5. FORMING OF A NEW GOVERNMENT IS COMPLETED. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev completed on 8 February forming the new government. He appointed pro-rector of the Kyrgyz-Russian (Slavic) University Ednan Karabayev the new foreign minister dismissing Alikbek Jekshenkulov. Karabayev served already as foreign minister in 1992-1993. Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Medet Kerimkulov also resigned and his State Secretary Sabyrbek Moldokulov became the Minister of Economic Development and Trade. Former head o the Kyrgyzgas Company Igor Chudinov was appointed to head the newly formed Ministry of Industry, Energy and Fuel Resources; Talantbek Uzakbaev was named the minister of agriculture, water resources and processing industry; Toigonbek Kalmatov replaced Jolbors Jorobekov as chairman of the Agency for Religious Affairs; and Nurlan Askarov became the head of the Agency on Vocational Education. Minister of Emergencies Janysh Rustenbekov and director of the Agency for Antimonopoly Policy Imankadyr Rysaliev kept their posts.

Deputy of Parliament Kabai Karabekov said the same day he did not see logic in the appointments - the president criticized the activity of the government and left most of the government members in the new composition. According to him, Bakiyev selected members of the government according to their personal loyalty to him, not due to their professionalism. 24.kg, Kabar, Itar-Tass, RIA Novosti, IHT

6. MORAL PRINCIPLES MUST BE REVIVED - TEKEBAYEV. Deputies of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev and Aidarbek Kerimkulov told journalists in Bishkek on 8 February about a law draft on ethics of civil servants being prepared by them. Accordant to it, polygamy should be prohibited and there should not be conflicts of interest in the government's employ. The same day, Tekebayev said in an interview with Deutsche Welle that public servants must be barred from receiving expensive presents or visiting casinos or saunas with curtain girls, and such actions should be punished criminally. However, the society itself should also been changed, officials used to organize their jubilees and people have to give them expensive presents, but it is a conflict of interests, because they are their subordinates. According to Tekebayev, activity of relatives of high officials should also be restricted in some extend and people becoming high officials should realize it.

Earlier, on 6 February, Tekebayev said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that the country ideology should be moved towards ethics and the ethical principles must be revived. Currently, people use the rule that the end justifies the means and they applause the officials if they occupy some high position without asking how it was achieved. Everybody knows that a person is a corrupt one but they applause him. DW, 24.kg, BPC, AKIpress

7. RESIDENTS OF TAJIKISTAN AND KYRGYZSTAN ARE THE 'SLENDEREST' IN THE CIS. Forbes released on 8 February a rating of the world countries according to the percentage of their overweight adult population (ages 15+). Kyrgyzstan is on the 133rd place in it among the 194 states - 39.2 percent of its residents are overweight. The first among the former Soviet republics is Belarus, it occupies the 22nd place in the world with 66.7 percent of overweight population. Azerbaijan is the 53rd (the 57.1 percent), Armenia is 74th (53.3), Lithuania 79th (53.1), Russia 92nd (49.1), Latvia 99th (47.3), Turkmenistan 102nd (46.8), Uzbekistan 107th (46.0), Georgia 113th (44.8), Ukraine 114th (also 44.8), Estonia 122nd (42.2), Kazakhstan 125th (41.4), Moldova 126th (41.1) and the thinnest people live in Tajikistan - only 37.3 percent of its population are overweight and the country is on the 137th place.

Eritrea has the most scrawny population - only 4.4 percent are overweight and the country is the last in the list - the 194th place; Ethiopia is the 193 (5.6), and Bangladesh if the 192nd (6.1 percent). Nauru tops the list with an alarming 94.5 percent its adult population, followed by Micronesia (91.1 percent) and Cook Islands (90.9 percent). The U.S. weighs in at No. 9, with 74.1 percent of those over 15 years old considered overweight. Great Britain is 28th (63.8), Canada 35th (61.1), Germany 43rd (60.1), Italy 111th (45.5), France 128 (40.1), China 148 (28.9), and the Japanese are the 'slenderest' among the developed states - the 163rd place with 22.6 percent of overweight people. Forbes

9 February, Friday:

8. GOVERNMENT MEMBERS SHOULD SERVE THE PEOPLE - THE PRESIDENT. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said at the first meeting of the new government on 9 February that new Prime Minister Azim Isabekov is a well-known person and he nominated all the members of the government. According to Bakiyev, the entire executive branch must now serve the people remembering that the government is living and working on money of taxpayers. The president said the previous government had problems, which led it to its resignation, they did not establish good and working relations with the parliament, they also did not fulfill their obligations, did not secure the economic growth and the trade deficit reached a catastrophic high level.

Bakiyev said the new government should establish normal relations with the parliament, keeping in mind that even a prime minister would be chosen after 2010 by a political party won in the parliamentary elections. The government should act as a united organism because now all the state bodies belong to the government, however, about 20 percent of personnel should be cut and young cadres must be invited to work. The government should drag investment, should build not very expensive houses for people and make a decision on the HIPC initiative organizing large discussions with the society. According to Bakiyev, the government must find a way to relieve of the foreign debt, joining HIPC and then eat away the written off money would not be a good way. President, 24.kg, Kabar, IHT

10 February, Saturday:

9. THE NEW KYRGYZ GOVERNMENT:
Prime Minister - Azim Isabekov.
First vice Prime Minister - Daniyar Usenov.
Vice Prime Minister - Dosbol Nur uulu.
Minister of Foreign Affairs - Ednan Karabayev.
Minister of Finance - Akylbek Japarov.
Minister of Defense - Ismail Isakov.
Minister of Internal Affairs - Bolotbek Nogoibayev.
Minister of Justice - Marat Kaiypov.
Minister of Industry, Energy and Fuel Resources - Igor Chudinov.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade - Sabyrbek Moldokulov.
Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Processing Industry - Talantbek Uzakbayev.
Minister of Transport and Communications - Nurlan Sulaimanov.
Minister of Emergencies - Janysh Rustenbekov.
Minister of Education and Science - Kanybek Osmonaliyev.
Minister of Culture - Sultan Rayev.
Minister of Healthcare - Shaloobek Niyazov.
Minister of Labor and Social Development - Uktomkhan Abdullayeva.
Chairman of the National Security Committee - Murat Sutalinov.
Chairman of the Committee for State Property - Tursun Turdumambetov.
Chairman of the Committee for Taxes and Dues Toktobek Akmatov.
Chairman of the Customs Committee - Salaidin Aidarov.
Chairwoman of the Committee of Migration and Employment - Aigul Ryskulova.
Chairman of the Agency of Anti-Monopoly Policy and Competition - Imankadyr Rysaliyev.
Chairman of the Agency of Information Resources and Еechnology - Turusbek Koyonaliyev.
Chairman of the Agency of Religious Affairs - Toigonbek Kalmatov.
Chairman of the Agency of Sport, Physical Education, Youth Affairs and Child Protection - Bektur Asanov.
Chairman of the Agency of Tourism - Turusbek Mamashov.
Chairman of the Agency of Vocational Education - Nurlan Askarov.
Government Chief of Staff (Minister) - Tynychbek Tabyldiyev.

Prime Minister Feliks Kulov, Foreign Minister Alikbek Jekshenkulov, Minister of Internal Affairs Omurbek Subanaliyev, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Medet Kerimkulov, Minister of Labour and Trade Yevgeny Semyonenko, Chairman of the Commission on Religious Affairs Jolbors Jorobekov lost their posts. It is not clear the fate of the agencies on intellectual property; on geology and mineral resources; on drug control; on ecology and forestry; on state archives; on state cadastre; the commissions on architecture and construction; on state purchases and material reserves; the financial police; and some other bodies. BPC, 24.kg, Kabar

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 4 - 10 FEBRUARY 2007:

10. On 5 February, Russian "Expert" reported about appointment of a new Kyrgyz prime minister that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has now control not over the parliament only but over the government too, which is led by technical premier, and the Askar Akayev's regime has actually been restored. Expert

11. On 5 February, Ibragim Rustambek wrote in an article posted on the site Gazeta.Kz that Kyrgyzstan has now the most talentless government in it history and the media are also corresponded - the primitive and yellow-revolutionist press is a success while the authorities talk about press freedom. Gazeta.Kz

12. On 5 February, State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov said in Osh that the Ministry of Emergencies and the Border Guard Service, as well as the agencies on drug control and on the religious affairs would soon be relocated in Osh City. Muslim Uzbekistan

13. On 5 February, head of the World Bank representative office in Bishkek Roger Robinson said Kyrgyz First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov has groundless negative attitude to the international financing organizations. 24.kg

14. On 5 February, Georgy Sitnyansky of the Russian Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology wrote in an article posted on the site of the RIA Novosti agency then Kyrgyzstan turned into an agricultural state after more than a half of its Russian speakers left the country. RIA Novosti

15. On 5 February, the parliamentary press service said an agreement on joining of the Kyrgyz parliament to the global legal information network was signed during the visit of Speaker Marat Sultanov to the US last week. Kyrgyz lawmakers would now have access to full versions of the laws of the world countries. Kabar

16. On 5 February, Kyrgyz human rights activists held a protest picket in front of the Uzbek embassy in Bishkek demanding to stop persecuting and repressing dissidents and to release prisoners of conscience Umida Niyazova, Sanjar Umarov, Gulbahor Turaeva and other arrested people, and handed them a petition. 24.kg, Regnum, DW

17. On 5 February, it became known that police held a special operation on 2 February arresting a nurse and an obstetrician doctor at the maternity hospital #4 in Bishkek when the undercover officers bought from them a baby boy for $600. According to directorate head of the Interior Ministry Melis Turganbayev, the mother had abandoned her son after a difficult birth because the nurse said he had died. Both the Ministry of Health Care and the Interior Ministry set up special commissions to investigate into activity of all maternity and child hospitals and morgues of Bishkek. Reuters, KP

18. On 5 February, IRIN, the U.N.'s Integrated Regional Information Networks, reported, "Emergency officials and seismology experts warn that a strong earthquake could hit Kyrgyzstan at any time. "Strong earthquakes that could measure up to 7 to 8 on the Richter scale are anticipated in and around Kemin and Kochkor districts in the north, and in mountainous areas of the south, particularly Ferghana and Alai mountain ranges, including areas close to the Tajik or Chinese border," Abibila Pazylov, a Ministry of Emergencies spokesman, told IRIN on Monday". IRIN

19. On 6 February, Andrew Rettman wrote on the site EUObserver, "Post 'Tulip Revolution' Kyrgyzstan is currently the most progressive country in the region, with Kazakhstan also showing interest in reform. But Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are egregiously repressive while Tajikistan is seen as a 'heroin-based economy'." EUObserver

20. On 6 February, Dmitry Petrov, chief editor of the Russian "Co- Intercourse" magazine wrote in an article posted on the site PrognosiΣ that so called Kyrgyz disturbances are limited actually and the country is transformed in active and sustainable regime, so, some outsiders only think the situation is dangerous and could lead to break-up of the country. PrognosiΣ

21. On 6 February, Joshua Kucera reported on the site EurasiaNet about the US sate budget for 2008 that Kyrgyzstan would receive a $26.5-million in US aid, "a decrease of more than $5 million from two years ago", while "aid to Afghanistan would total $1,070 million in fiscal year 2008, up from $968 million from the current fiscal year", and "Pakistan's aid would go up to $785 million from $499 million last year". EurasiaNet

22. On 6 February, the Institute for Public Policy released a report on Foreign Policy of Kyrgyzstan in the last quarter of 2006. IPP

23. On 6 February, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee on Migration and Employment Dosmir Uzbekov said the state budget received from activity of foreign traders in Kyrgyzstan not big money - the State Tax Inspection issued 12,808 patents to them in 2006 getting 10.144 million soms ($260,000) while the trade turnout between Kyrgyzstan and China was $1,080 million in 2006. Kabar

24. On 6 February, Chairwoman of the State Committee on Migration and Employment Aygul Ryskulova told journalists in Bishkek there were 1,397 refugees in Kyrgyzstan registered by 1 January 2007. The figure was 3,088 in 2005 and 1,691 now, according to her. Kabar

25. On 6 February, Chairman of the State Agency on Construction and Architecture Ishenbai Kadyrbekov said it is needed 2,000 million soms ($51 million) to restore infrastructure in the Kochkor and Batken districts jolted by earthquakes on 26 December and 31 January. 24.kg

26. On 7 February, Andrew Louis, president of the Kumtor Operating Company, which develops the Kumtor gold deposit in Kyrgyzstan, and chairman of the trade union of the enterprise Marat Asanaliyev signed an agreement, according to which wages of the employees would be increased by 40 percent in average in 2007. 24.kg

27. On 7 February, Tchingiz Aitmatov said in an interview with Ibragim Rustambek for Gazeta.Kz that journalists are now the main persons of the modern time because any important event in the world cannot happen without their involvement, they are now heroes of the time, and a conflict of the contemporary world is also connected with them, they are always on forefront of the events. Gazeta.Kz

28. On 7 February, World Bank Expert Helmut Schreiber told journalists in Bishkek Kyrgyzstan could get profit and new technologies by selling quotas for environment pollution to developed countries. According to him, up to 25 percent of total carbon dioxide emission reduction purchases are done through the World Bank. 24.kg, AKIpress

29. On 7 February, it became known that a tender commission on selling the government-owned shares of the Kara-Balta Mining Complex cannot begin the second part of the tender due to the Committee of National Security does not yet complete revision of the first part. 24.kg

30. On 7 February, the Bishkek City municipal services said the tariff for centralized hot water supply was increased from 57.6 to 101.7 soms per month back since 1 January. 24.kg

31. On 7 February, Prime Minister Azim Isabekov said at a government meeting that Kyrgyzstan is ready offering China access to the development of the Terek-Sai tin and tungsten bloc and the Taldy-Bulak Levoberezhny gold deposit for Chinese investment in construction of a railroad from China to Uzbekistan through the Kyrgyz territory. According to him, a feasibility pre-study shows that construction of the road would be possible technically, profitable economically and safety ecologically. Kabar, Interfax, Regnum, CentrAsia

32. On 7 February, the Canadian company of Centerra Gold said its gold production at the Kumtor mine in Kyrgyzstan fell to 303,600 ounces in 2006 against 501,500 ounces in 2005 due to an accident happened last July. Production costs per ounce were $386 in 2006 against $241 in 2005. Kabar, Market Wire

33. On 7 February, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection said it had prepared a project of paying compensatory money to some categories of citizens living outside the capital city instead of their transportation benefits. The rate would be 25 to 405 soms a month depending on the categories. Kabar

34. On 7 February, Minister of Defense Ismail Isakov told journalists in Bishkek the Kyrgyz army would use the UH-1 Iroquois helicopters produced by the American Bell Company. Their maximum speed is 190 km/h and flight distance up to 630 km. 24.kg
http://eng.24.kg/community/2007/02/07/1264.html

35. On 7 February, Deputy Minister of health Care Madamin Karatyev said in an interview with Deutsche Welle about a lack of donor blood in Kyrgyzstan that there were 180,000 blood donors in the republic in the Soviet times, now the country needs about 33,000 but has actually 7,500 donors only and the ministry worked our a special law draft on privileges to blood donors and presented to parliament. DW

36. On 8 February, it became known that Germany, a current chair in the European Union, submitted a document to member states on 2 February, according to which the EU should open four diplomatic offices in Astana (Kazakhstan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Dushanbe (Tajikistan) and Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) by the next year. Itar-Tass, EUobserver

37. On 8 February, the Agency for State Service said there are 49,400 people employed in the system of public administration and a number of high officials is 500. 24.kg

38. On 8 February, one of the leader of the Youth movement Jebe Adil Turdukulov said the civil society concerns on issues of economic development of the country more than the government and a negative attitude of the non-governmental organization towards the HIPC initiative is connected with displeasure with the Kyrgyz government, not with the international financing organizations. 24.kg, BPC

39. On 8 February, the CIS Statistic Committee said industrial output in Kyrgyzstan fell by 10.2 percent in 2006, while the gross domestic product's growth was 2.7 percent and investment in fixed capital increased by 18.2 percent. Finamarket, Balapan

40. On 8 February, Director General of the company Electric Stations Saparbek Balkibekov said in an interview with the Kabar news agency that tariffs for electricity would increase from current 1.5 cents per kiloWatt-hour to 2.2 cents in 2010. The same time, the company sells a kWatt-hour electricity to distributing companies for 0.4 cents. Export prices would also be increased from current 1.3 to 1.5 cents in 2007. Kabar

41. On 8 February, Chairwoman of the Social Fund Olga Lavrova reported to the parliament on implementation of the fund's budget in 2005 and said its income was 6,452 million soms ($165 million), which was more than in 2004 by 11 percent. According to her, the main debtors of the fund are the energetic companies. Kabar. 24.kg

42. On 9 February, Parliamentarian Omurbek Tekebayev suggested at a parliamentarian session to set up a special investigating committee of the parliament. Kabar

On 9 February, chairman of the parliamentary committee on budget Akmatbek Keldibekov said the state budget draft for 2007 was returned back to the government to adjust its expenditure part due to the changes in the government structure. 24.kg

43. On 9 February, Chairman of the Accounts Chamber Nadyrbek Turganbayev said its inspectors made more than 1,500 audits in 2006 and unveiled financial misdoings worth 3,200 million soms total. 24.kg

44. On 9 February, it became known at a meeting in Bishkek between Vice Prime Minister Dosbol Nur uulu and representatives of the World Bank that the bank allocates $1.5 million for strengthening the technical base of veterinary and sanitary laboratories of Kyrgyzstan. The same day, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) informed it allocates a $2-million-grant from the ADB's Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, financed by the Government of Japan, to develop the Kyrgyz Republic's handicraft industry improve the livelihoods of rural women. Kabar, Fibre2fashion

45. On 9 February, Oksana Malevanaya, director general of the Fifth Channel, formed on the base of the KOORT TV channel and which begins broadcasting on 12 February, said 3.5-million-dollar investment was done in the channel and the price of ads at it would reach $150 to $170 at the end of the year. VB

46. On 9 February, participants of the youth forum, organized by the Sanjyra political party, stated the youth only could root out tribalism, corruption and selling the official posts in Kyrgyzstan. They signed a special memorandum on cooperation with Sanjyra. 24.kg

47. On 9 February, the Labor Department of the southern Osh Province said 167 residents of the province are now elder than 100 and 1,234 people are between 90 and 100. 24.kg

48. On 9 February, the Week of Japanese Films began in Bishkek. It is organized by the Kyrgyz Union of Cinematographers and the Japanese Embassy and is devoted to the 15th anniversary of establishing the diplomatic relations between the two states. 24.kg

49. On 10 February, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said in Bishkek during a subbotnik, devoted to the forthcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to be held in Bishkek in the summer, that not only the authorities but ordinary residents of the city should also prepare for it bringing in order their houses and courts and changing their behavior. Kabar

50. Appointments and dismissals: on 5 February, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Jumabek Shopokov head of the administration of the Chui District of Chui Province replacing Iskender Murzaliyev. The same day, he appointed Samarbek Kuchukov head of the administration of the Panfilov District of the same province instead of Moldobek Ashyraliyev. On 6 February, Azamat Kalman, press secretary of former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov, resigned. 24.kg

Regards, Naryn Aiyp.
******************************Please send your feedback to IdinovN@tiscali.cz
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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 28 Jan - 3 Feb 2007

2007-02-04T15:03:27Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 28 JANUARY - 3 FEBRUARY 2007
________________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. The opposition helps Bakiyev consolidating the presidential power.
2. The same number of premiers changed in Kyrgyzstan in 16 years as in previous 66 years.
3. The president offers a new structure of the government.
4. Bakiyev completes forming a system of his absolute rule - Tekebayev.
5. New premier discusses the HIPC issue with donors.
6. Draft on the government structure is amended.
7. Two major political forces left in Kyrgyzstan - president and parliament.
8. Participants of the parliamentary hearing on HIPC are against it.
9. Also in the week of 28 January - 3 February 2007...

29 January, Monday:

1. THE OPPOSITION HELPS BAKIYEV CONSOLIDATING THE PRESIDENTIAL POWER. Valentin Bogatyrev wrote in an article posted on the site of the Institute for Public Policy on 29 January that the "two parallel processes determine the development of political situation in Kyrgyzstan today" - "political formation of President Bakiev" and "the formation of a new power status and new role of the parliament". The president chose the right moment with minimum of political damages, "Seeing how easily and accurately has Bakiev used his chances recently, it is clear that Bakiev turned out to be more subtle and strong politician compared to how he is perceived", and "the opposition did the whole job, helping the president". According to Bogatyrev, "any political technologist can be delighted by how President solved the issue with Kulov", who, being the trained lawyer and very experienced political figure, "who had been a victim of voluntary treatment of law in past, was so easily able to go against the law for rather psychological than political frustration". Bogatyrev continues, "Many people fear that the process of strengthening the president's powers will turn the country back to authoritarianism", however, "the Kyrgyz society passed a critical point to return to its own traditions of freedom, and people will never let themselves turn into slaves of a system, not mentioning of a ruler".

As for the parliament, "The process started in last days of March 2005, signifying another revolution, maybe more important that the power change. Its leader and organizer was Omurbek Tekebaev… He became the Speaker of the Parliament and literally started living in a Parliamentary republic. His position and opinion on the structure of authority in the country started changing the role of the Parliament in the political system of the country… Tekebaev, talking high language, burned a sparkle, which started flame of November riot of the Parliament against the President and December riot of the Parliament against the government". IPP

2. THE SAME NUMBER OF PREMIERS CHANGED IN KYRGYZSTAN IN 16 YEARS AS IN PREVIOUS 66 YEARS. The parliamentary committee on legislation recommended the parliament on 29 January to approve Azim Isabekov, nominated by the president three days earlier, as new Kyrgyz prime minister. The same day, the parliament approved him by 57 votes out of 61. The previous candidate, Feliks Kulov, collected only 23 (on 18 January) and 25 (on 24 January) votes. During the discussion, Isabekov promised he would not take a decision on joining Kyrgyzstan to the HIPC initiative without parliament consent and would cooperate with the parliamentarians closely on any kind of issues. According to Isabekov, the government should not meddle in political affairs, it should concentrate on economic, financial and foreign-economic affairs only. He also said he has no presidential ambitions. The same day, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed a decree appointing Isabekov prime minister and another decree, which dismissed Kulov from the post. Bakiyev also held a special meeting with Isabekov the same day.

Fourteen people headed the government since October 1990, when a president was elected in Kyrgyzstan - there were the same number of replacements in 16 years of the sovereignty as were in the 66 years of existence of the Kyrgyz Republic consisting of the USSR:

1. Apas Jumagulov - May 1986 - January 1991,
2. Nasirdin Isanov - January 1991 - November 1991,
3. Askar Akayev (acting) - November 1991 -February 1992,
4. Tursunbek Chyngyshev - February 1992 - December 1993,
5. Apas Jumagulov - December 1993 - March 1998,
6. Kubanychbek Jumaliev - March- December 1998 ,
7. Jumabek Ibraimov - December 1998 - April 1999,
8. Amangeldi Muraliev - April 1999 - December 2000,
9. Kurmanbek Bakiev - December 2000 - May 2002,
10. Nikolai Tanaev - May 2002 - 24 March 2005,
11. Kurmanbek Bakiev (acting) - March 2005 - August 2005,
12. Feliks Kulov - August 2005 - December 2006,
13. Feliks Kulov (acting) - December 2006 - January 2007,
14. Azim Isabekov - Since 29 January 2007.

Before, 14 people headed the Kyrgyz government:

1. Imanaly Aidarbekov - October 1924 - March 1925,
2. Abdykadyr Orozbekov - May 1925 - March 1927,
3. Yusup Abdrakhmanov - March 1927 - September 1933,
4. Bayaly Isakeev - September 1933 - September 1937,
5. Murat Salikhov - September 1937 - Feb 1938,
6. Torobai Kulatov - July 1938 - November 1945,
7. Iskhak Razzakov - November 1945 - November 1950,
8. Abdy Suyorkulov - September 1950 - March 1958,
9. Kazy Dikambaev - March 1958 - May 1961,
10. Bolot Mambetov - May 1961 - January 1968,
11. Akmatbek Suyumbaev - January 1968 - December 1978,
12. Sultan Ibraimov - December 1978 - December 1980,
13. Arstanbek Duisheev - January 1981 - May 1986
14. Apas Jumagulov - May 1986 - January 1991.

Kyrgyzstan announced its sovereignty in December 1990, and is independent from the USSR since August 1991. Kabar, 24.kg, RIA Novosti, Prime-Tass, КТ, Reuters, IHT

30 January, Tuesday:

3. THE PRESIDENT OFFERS A NEW STRUCTURE OF THE GOVERNMENT. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev approved on 30 January a law draft of a new structure of the government, prepared by a new prime minister, just next day after his appointment, and sent it to the parliament the same day. According to the law, the government comprises of prime minister; his first deputy, who is also the minister of economic development and trade; two vice prime ministers, head of the government staff in rank of minister; ministers and chairpersons of the state committees.

The drafts says there should be in the government the following 14 ministries: 1) of foreign affairs; 2) of defence; 3) of interior affairs; 4) of justice; 5) of finance; 6) of economic development and trade; 7) of agriculture, water resources and processing industry; 8) of energy and fuel resources; 9) of transport and communications; 10) of emergency situations; 11) of education and science; 12) of healthcare; 13) of culture; and 14) of labour and social protection;

The government should also include the following five state committees: 1) of national security; 2) on state property management; 3) on migration and employment; 4) on taxes and collections; and 5) the customs committee. there are also the following nine agencies, which act under direction of the government: 1) on architecture and construction; 2) on registration of rights on immovable properties; 3) on religious affairs; 4) on tourism; 5) on physical training and sport; 6) on youth policy; 7) on geology and mineral resources; 8) on archiving; and 9) the agency of finance policy.

The ministry of energy and fuel resources is a new body, however, the Antimonopoly Committee stated on 31 January against merging of the two big energy companies in the new ministry. The ministry of finance, the ministry of economic development and trade, and the agency of tourism are formed on the basis of the previous ministry of economy and finances and the ministry of industry, trade and tourism. The Agency for Youth Affairs is separated from the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth Policy, there are neither Ministry of Industry nor several other bodies in the new government. Bakiyev expressed on 31 January confidences that the parliament would support the draft. Regnum, President, 24.kg, Kabar

31 January, Wednesday:

4. BAKIYEV COMPLETES FORMING A SYSTEM OF HIS ABSOLUTE RULE - TEKEBAYEV. Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev said in an interview with the "Delo Nomer…" weekly that Kyrgyzstan must allow real competition in the country to develop it further. Real competing in politics, media and economy would lead to forming a strong public opinion, which could then control authorities and establishing rule of law, moral principles and economic liberty. According to Tekebayev, any political union has its term, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev too wanted for a long time getting rid of the union with Feliks Kulov, and he used an opportunity when it occurred. So, in two years after the revolution, he succeeded forming a system of his absolute rule, like it was during the Askar Akayev times. The tandem agreement was an obstacle to it but now; he has both its own government for 100 percent and a majority in the parliament. Now, according to Tekebayev, people around the president - his inner circle and relatives - can take state decisions without being accountable, and the old system returns. Delo Nomer…

5. NEW PREMIER DISCUSSES THE HIPC ISSUE WITH DONORS. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev stated on 31 January that a decision on the issue of joining Kyrgyzstan to the HIPC initiative should be taken at the government and parliament meetings, not at the public rallies, and all the pro and contra must be considered. Prime Minister Azim Isabekov said the same day during a meeting with representative of the International Monetary Fund James McHugh that the president formed a special working group to consider other possibilities to lessen the foreign debt alternative to HIPC and their suggestions would be considered in the government and then presented the parliament. Representative of the World Bank Roger Robinson said at a meeting with Isabekov the same day that Kyrgyzstan should decide itself, however, the bank would continue helping the country in any case and would increase its help. Newly appointed Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Valentin Vlasov said also the same day the issue is a domestic affair of Kyrgyzstan, the decision would not affect the Russian-Kyrgyz relations and it would be wrong if Moscow expresses any tough position on it. Kabar, 24.kg, Regnum

Human Rights Activist Aziza Abdirasulova stated on 2 February the non-governmental organizations could not find the working group mentioned by the prime minister and which supposed to be formed by the president recently but could not. The single working group on the issue was set up a year ago, First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov headed it and they worked out conditions, under which Kyrgyzstan would join the HIPC initiative, Abdirasulova said that was why they would continue protest actions against HIPC. 24.kg, Kabar, AKIpress

1 February, Thursday:

6. DRAFT ON THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE IS AMENDED. After consultations with leaders of the parliamentary committees and factions held on 31 January, Prime Minister Azim Isabekov presented on 1 February the changed draft of the government structure. However, deputies criticized it too at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on legislation on 1 February and Isabekov said he withdrew the draft would present a new, amended one on 5 February.

According to the changed draft presented on 1 February, it was suggested to form a board of the government comprised of the prime minister and vice premiers, which should have had the right taking decisions even in absence of some government members. First vice prime minister should have been responsible for the economic issues, and the two vice premiers - for the law enforcement and social spheres. Ministry of Economic Development and Trade was transferred into the Ministry of Economic Development, Industry and Trade and some state agencies were reintroduced: 1) on intellectual property and innovations at the Ministry of Education and Science; 2) on vocational education at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection; 3) on alcohol production at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Processing Industry; 4) on energy and gas at the Ministry of Energy and Fuel Resources; 5) on communications at the Ministry of Transport and Communications; 6) the agency on purchases and reserves, 7) the Treasury and 8) the Fund for Economic Development at the Ministry of Finances; 9) the antimonopoly agency, 10) the Center for Economic Strategies and 11) the Institute of Metrology ate the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

Vice Speaker of the Parliament Kubanychbek Isabekov stated on 2 February the premier did not withdraw the law draft on the government structure because the president only, who presented it, could recall it. Azim Isabekov himself told journalists the discussion in the parliament was very useful and would get to the truth. However, the parliament did not support an idea by Deputy Iskhak Masaliyev to set up a joined conciliatory commission saying the parliament should only suggest and then either approve or reject the drafts. Interfax, 24.kg, Kabar, AKIpress

7. TWO MAJOR POLITICAL FORCES LEFT IN KYRGYZSTAN - PRESIDENT AND PARLIAMENT. Erica Marat wrote in her article posted on the site of Eurasia Daily Monitor on 1 February, "During the past month of political wrangling in Kyrgyzstan, neither parliament, nor political observers managed to foresee the president’s sequence of actions. While Bakiyev acted quite unexpectedly, he managed to secure his interests without breaking the law. Following the adoption of the November 2006 constitution, the parliament’s majority hoped to remove Kulov and to increase its powers at the expense of the president. But the parliamentary opposition and civil society groups failed to predict that Bakiyev would play the government’s resignation against both the parliament and Kulov. Within roughly one month Bakiyev managed to adopt a new constitution (December 2006), remove Kulov, and jeopardize the positions of unwanted figures in the government. Some local observers believe Bakiyev was able to regain his political powers thanks to help from outside political consultants…. The parliament rejected Kulov because he represented a source of Bakiyev’s political strength. In contrast, the new prime minister is extremely weak and will be unable to interfere with the affairs of either the president or parliament. Today the president and the parliament essentially represent two major political forces in Kyrgyzstan that will need to find ways to coexist". EDM

2 February, Friday:

8. PARTICIPANTS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY HEARING ON HIPC ARE AGAINST IT. The parliamentary committee on finances and budget held on 2 February a hearing on the issue of Kyrgyzstan's joining the HIPC initiative. As a result, a special resolution was adopted, which says the hearing participants were against the initiative, the issue should be included in a parliamentary agenda, and a special working group on the issue should be formed. First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov said the government has other possibilities to lessen the foreign debt, no single project prepared with help of the international advisers was successful in Kyrgyzstan and that was why international donors were also responsible for the heavily debt of the country. Chairman of the committee Akmatbek Keldibekov said Kyrgyzstan spent $600 million for foreign consultants. Minister of Foreign Affairs Alikbek Jekshenkulov said none of the other 28 world countries joined the program earlier has not got out of poverty and the join of Kyrgyzstan would be considered by its partners as weakness and failure of the government and foreign investors could reject working in Kyrgyzstan. Prime Minister Azim Isabekov told journalists the government looks for other possibilities now because it should have alternatives in any case. AKIpress, 24.kg, Kabar

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 28 JANUARY - 3 FEBRUARY 2007:

9. On 28 January, Bakyt Kazakbayev wrote in an article posted on the site Analitika that former Vice Prime Minister Joomart Otorbayev acted vigorously to recover the state structure and management of the economy by forming the so called investment matrixes, however, the government of Feliks Kulov wrecked it completely and did not make any ground for the future new government in this field. Analitika

10. On 28 January, a mission of the Eurasian Group arrived in Kyrgyzstan, they would asses the Kyrgyz system of fighting terrorism and money laundering and its correspondence to the international standards. Kabar

11. On 28 January, Tchingiz Aitmatov said at the 21st international Expolang conference in Paris that the Russian language is more important for not ethnic Russian 'Russophones' than for the Russians themselves and that Moscow plans holding a world championship on the Russian language. RIA Novosti, 24.kg

12. On 29 January, Andrey Grozin of the Moscow-based Institute for CIS wrote in an article posted on the site Eurasian Home about the resignation of Feliks Kulov, "Kulov has no competence in economics enough to meet the requirements laid to the government. When he was a prime minister he failed to form his own strong team", and appointment of a new, technical prime minister, "when the situation in the country is unstable, it is for the better. It is another matter that Bakiyev may lose strategically. But whether he will be a loser or not will depend on Kulov's reaction…. The scenario depends on his behavior". Eurasian Home

13. On 29 January, Kyrgyzstan presented in Geneva at the 44th session of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, opened on 15 January, its reports on the two Optional Protocols - on the involvement of children in armed conflicts and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. The session recommended Kyrgyzstan introducing a post of ombudsman for children. Children as Partners, 24.kg, Kabar

14. On 29 January, Chairman of the Bank Union of Kyrgyzstan Anvar Abdrayev stated some gaps in the legislation, deficit of qualified specialists and lack of investment make obstacles to the banking development in Kyrgyzstan. According to him, investment dollars reached a level of 50 percent to a needed volume only, and the recently passed law on preventing terrorism financing and money laundering needs to be amended, because many depositors leave banks for shadow sphere. Kabar, 24.kg

15. On 29 January, the Russian weekly "Kommersant-Vlast" carried a large article on the purges in the USSR during the Stalin and Brezhnev times and reported that the regional leaders who secured any kind of stability could keep their posts for a long time and gave examples of Antanas Snechkus, who ruled Lithuania for 35 years as well as Turdakun Usubaliev who was a leader of Kyrgyzstan for 24 years. Kommersant-Vlast

16. On 29 January, the Institute for Strategic Analyses and Prognoses at the Kyrgyz-Russian (Slavic) University released results of its survey conducted in Bishkek last December. According to them, 68 percent of the surveyed people are ready taking part in public rallies to defend their social rights, 64 percent believe the rallies to protect economic rights of the population could be organized, 57 percent say there could be rallies for the political rights and 36 percent are ready taking part in rallies to protect opposition politicians. 24.kg

17. On 29 January, it was announced on a new reshuffle in the leadership of the Pyramida TV Channel - Irina Kalinina became its vice president replacing Andrei Tsvetkov, and Marianna Logacheva replaced Kalinina as the chief editor. Turat Bektenov, chief editor of the Kyrgyz News Department, left the company, as did Tsvetkov. On 10 January, representatives of the Invest Media Company, which owns 56 percent of the shares of Pyramida, introduced the channel staff Tsvetkov as new president, who replaced Adylbek Biynazarov, and Kalinina became the vice president instead of Oleg Vassil. However, on 17 January, Mirbek Orozov was appointed new president, Tsvetkov became a vice president and Kalinina was moved to the position of chief editor. 24.kg, AKIpress

18. On 29 January, the Moscow-based newspaper "Economicheskiye Izvestia" reported that Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich said Ukraine has no debt to Kyrgyzstan and the country could prove it to the World Trade Organization (WTO), however, the top negotiator with the WTO, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Economy Valery Pyatnitsky says no candidate country could ignore a WTO member and Ukraine is not able avoiding negotiations with Kyrgyzstan. Economicheskiye Izvestia

19. On 29 January, "Expert-Kazakhstan" reported referring to head of the state-owned Kazakh holding Samruk Sauat Myngbayev that Kazakhstan should participate in constructing the Kambar-Ata hydro power stations in Kyrgyzstan to have shares in them, otherwise Kazakhstan could become depending not only on water from Kyrgyzstan but on Russia too if the Russians construct the stations themselves. E-K

On 29 January, it was said at the first Asian regional conference on cashmere, held in Bishkek, that there are about a million of angora goats in Kyrgyzstan and the country produces 200 to 300 tons of cashmere from their fluffs gaining $3 to $6 million to the state budget. The world leader is China with 60 percent of the world production of cashmere and 80 percent of goat fluffs. Kabar

20. On 29 January, a special meeting of the government led by Vice Prime Minister Tynychbek Tabaldiyev recommended the Company Electrical Power Stations to pay 182.2 million soms ($4.7 million) in compensation to former residents of the Toktogul Valley, houses of whom were submerged under a water reservoir after the Toktogul hydro power station was constructed in 1973. About 33,000 hectares of arable land were submerged and the company should transfer 43 million soms yearly to the bank account of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Processing Industry. Kabar, 24.kg

21. On 30 January, Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that the president consolidated all the power in his hands and formed a government he wanted and if he cannot change the life of the nation now, people would be dissatisfied deeply and something could happen. BPC

22. On 30 January, Russian "Kommersant" reported that Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev consolidated all the executive power in his hands after resignation of premier Feliks Kulov and now, Bakiyev permits himself giving the ministries the right to determine their policy themselves by managing the state agencies. Bakiyev could not do it during the Kulov times. Kommersant

23. On 30 January, Chief Editor of the Litsa newspaper Bermet Bukasheva said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club she does not see Feliks Kulov as a leader of the opposition or any strong political figure. According to her, he lost all his respect recently. BPC

24. On 30 January, Russian "Vedomosti" gave the words by Ajdar Kurtov of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies who said about the new Kyrgyz prime minister that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev would manipulate him in the future in a struggle with the parliament. Vedomosti

25. On 30 January, Deputy Director General of the Chinese Trade center Taatan in Bishkek Erysma Idyrov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that the decision of the Kyrgyz government to restrict activity of foreign traders in the country would lead to rocketing of prices because the local traders cannot continue business in such scope as the foreigners did and he did not understand the government. BPC, Kabar

26. On 30 January, the representative office of the European Commission said in Bishkek the commission allots 500,000 euros to Kyrgyzstan for democracy and human rights development. It became known on 2 February that the European Union gives 500,000 euros for a project to strengthen activity of the Kyrgyz government. 24.kg

27. On 30 January, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote that, according to the government's audit and accounting agency, three-quarters of the able-bodied population failed to contribute to the Social Fund of Kyrgyzstan last year. IWPR

28. On 30 January, State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov suggested the National Commission for State Language to correct the text of the national anthem and the commission chairman, Tashboo Jumagulov, responded the commission is already engaged in it. Madumarov also said there are inaccuracies in the images on the national flag too. Kabar, Regnum

29. On 30 January, First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov ordered to suspend the tender for frequencies to us 3G WCDMA/UMTS mobile phone service, set for 30 January, due to a new constitution was adopted in he country and a new government was being formed. The two companies, Bench Mark Nepal (Nepal) and Joint Loyal T. Ltd (Singapore) were supposed to take part. 24.kg, AKIpress

30. On 31 January, newly appointed Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Valentin Vlasov met with Journalists in Bishkek for the first time and said the US airbase at the Manas airport near Bishkek does not cause a danger to Russian interests in Kyrgyzstan, however, he said the issue is whether the Americans would keep their word and close the base after the counter terrorism operation ends in Afghanistan. He also said the Kyrgyz-Russian relations are not a subject to conjuncture. Kabar, 24.kg, BPC

31. On 31 January, Deputy of Parliament Erkinbek Alymbekov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that the political standoff in the country would not end until President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and the main opposition politician, Omurbek Tekebayev, come to agreement. BPC

32. On 31 January, Expert of the Center for Political and Legal Studies Gulnara Iskakova said at the hearing on reforms in the judicial-legal reforms organized by the parliament that 80 percent of the country citizens does not trust the courts because the judges do not make rulings of justice but make often a business using their positions. Minister of Justice Marat Kaiypov said the salaries of the judges should be raised to $3,000 a month to root out corruption, the vice speaker of the parliament, Erkinbek Alymbekov, replied the rate of a $1,000 per month could also be enough. A special conception of the reforms would be worked out according to the results of the discussion. Kabar, 24.kg

On 31 January, the Kazakh and Kyrgyz ministries of transport and communications agreed to construct a road connecting Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Balykchy (Kyrgyzstan) to get the Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan. It is necessary for it to build a 88-kilometer-long road between the Kazakh town of Uzynagash and the Kyrgyz town of Bystrovka worth 29,728 million tenge. The Almaty-Balykchy road would be 210 kilometers long, while the current rout via Bishkek is more than 400 kilometers. Interfax, Centrasia

33. On 1 February, Kyrgyz Parliament Speaker Marat Sultanov made a public appearance at the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in the US and held the same day talks with US officials in Washington, seeking ways to ease bilateral tension related to the American military presence in the Central Asian country. According to Sultanov, Kyrgyzstan does not demand closing the US airbase, however, "the agreement needs to be revised, because the situation is different now", and the Americans should "take the recent incidents into consideration and revise their policy". 24.kg, Eurasianet

34. On 1 February, Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov said at a meeting of parliament that the Prosecutor General Office decided to amnesty Deputy Sultan Urmanayev, who was accused in connection of the Aksy Events. According to Beknazarov, it is not possible amnestying a person if he is not yet being convicted. Urmanayev was the governor of the Jalal-Abad Province when police opened fire at a demonstration in the Aksy District of the province in March 2002 killing six people. 24.kg

35. On 1 February, Russian "Kommersant" published a rating of positive attitude of the Russian authorities towards the former Soviet republics. Kyrgyzstan is on the fourth place in it after Armenia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Kommersant

36. On 1 February, Chairman of the Zamandash Association Juma Abdullayev reported 40,000 Kyrgyz citizens received Russian citizenship in 2006 and soon, 90 percent of about 300,000 Kyrgyz labor migrants working in Russia could become Russian citizens. Kabar

37. On 1 February, Kyrgyz Writer Tchingiz Aitmatov told journalists in Istanbul during a meeting of the strategic group Russia and Islam World that he considers Tatarstan as an outpost of Islam in Russia and hopes if other countries develop as Tatarstan it would be good spirit evolution. Tatar-Inform

38. On 1 February, President of the Kyrgyz Association of Oil Traders Bazarbai Mambetov told journalists in Bishkek the state budget looses about 500 million soms ($13m) due to smuggling of oil products in Kyrgyzstan while the whole income from import and selling of oil products was 1,535 million soms. Regnum, 24.kg, BPC

39. On 1 February, Ibragim Rustambek wrote in an article posted on the site Gazeta.Kz that some Russian tycoons, like Viktor Vekselberg, are interested in Kyrgyz enterprises like the Kara-Balta Mining Complex, because Russian President Vladimir Putin wants them to unite all the companies linked to uranium development. Gazeta.Kz

40. On 1 February, Director of the Kyrgyzresursy state company Jyrgalbek Sagynbayev told journalists in Bishkek that four factories to assemble tractors and other agricultural machineries would be built in Kyrgyzstan in 2007. Chinese businessmen intend investing about $4 million. Regnum, 24.kg

41. On 2 February, President of the Institute for Public Policy Muratbek Imanaliev wrote in the article entitled Central Asia and the World and posted on the site of the institute that after the 11 September 2001 events, the (post soviet) geopolitical boundaries of Central Asian states were demolished and the region began "moving toward the widening and formation of two-vectored foreign and diplomatic practices in Central Asia. The direct presence of the West, mostly the U.S., in the region becomes the main actor on the stage". IPP

42. On 2 February, Political correspondent for the Russian agency RIA Novosti Petr Goncharov called the current political debates in Kyrgyzstan as a standoff between the president and the parliament, not only a dispute about the government structure. According to Goncharov, all the experts agree that the two key members of the government, Minister of Internal Affairs Omurbek Subanaliyev and Minister of Economy and Finance Akylbek Japarov, would loose their posts. RIA Novosti

43. On 2 February, Co-Chairman of the Party of Union of Democratic Forces Bakyt Beshimov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that Kyrgyzstan could be considered as a failed country on its GDP per capita, pace of economic development, export, structure of the economy and other indices. According to Beshimov, the nation is not able to choose a reformist premier because its leaders, like former President Akayev, prevented it ruling the country in his personal interests. BPC

44. On 2 February, experts of the Russian Institute for Public Designing dismissed the last report World Freedom 2007 released by Freedom House on 17 January saying the results were doubtful in principle because Russia was characterized in it as not free country while Kyrgyzstan, for example, was partly free. They refereed to The Present Political Atlas prepared by a research group of the Moscow Institute for International Relations and released on 20 November. Kyrgyzstan was considered a failed country in it. RIA Novosti, Expert, FH

On 2 February, the State Committee on Migration and Employment said first Kyrgyz labor migrants began returning home from Russia due to new Russian migration legislation is in effect since 15 January. 24.kg

45. On 2 February, the parliament included a special clause to the Administrative Code, which obliges foreign citizens going through HIV/AIDS medical tests not to be expelled from the country. Kabar. 24.kg

46. On 2 February, Prime Minister Azim Isabekov signed a special decree on measures to decrease unemployment in the country. According to the Statistical Committee, there are 195,000 registered unemployed, while the able-bodied citizens number is 2.971 million and 1.931 million people are employed. 24.kg

47. On 2 February, First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov said at a hearing in parliament on the HIPC issue he was skeptical on recommendations of the World Bank and IMF. According to him, previous Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev, wallowing their recommendations, sold 17 percent of shares of the Canadian Centerra Company for $85 million. If he did not, the price of the shares belonged to the Kyrgyz government would have been now $900 million instead of current $450 million. Kabar

On 2 February, the State Committee on Migration and Employment said 1,200 received in 2006 micro credits in the countryside worth 19.970 million soms ($510,000) total. 24.kg

48. On 2 February, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Temirkan Subanov said two suspects were detained and in connection with the case of killing Raatbek Sanatbayev have been charged officially. Before, department head at the National Security Service Aldoyar Ismankulov was also charged but acquitted on 23 January 2007. Champion of Asia and bronze medallist of Olympic Games Sanatbayev was shot dead in Bishkek on 8 January 2006. Kabar

49. On 3 February, the 3rd World Congress Against the Death Penalty ended in Paris, it began on 1 February. Kyrgyz Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir uulu delivered a report on it about the capital punishment in Kyrgyzstan and perspectives of its abolishment. AKIpress, Focus

50. Appointments and dismissals: on 1 February, Minister of Education and Science Dosbol Nur uulu introduced Sulaiman Kaiypov to the staff of the Manas Kyrgyz-Turkish University in Bishkek as their new rector. The previous rector, Karybek Moldobayev, had served two five-year terms. On 2 February, Mayor of Bishkek Arstanbek Nogoyev appointed Orzubek Nazarov, who won the world title in box among professionals seven times, chairman of the Bishkek City Sport and Tourism Department. Kabar

Regards, Naryn Aiyp.
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Please send your feedback to IdinovN@tiscali.cz
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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 21-27 Jan 2007

2007-01-28T17:00:53Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 21 - 27 JANUARY 2007
________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. Masaliyev destroys the Kulov's hope to become a premier again.
2. Kulov becomes a victim of his own old system restoration - Tekebayev.
3. Youth are still against HIPC.
4. The US airbase remains in Kyrgyzstan.
5. Difficult to imagine that Akayev would talk with the US like Bakiyev does - an expert.
6. Kulov stops being a Kyrgyz prime minister.
7. Different officials give different amount of the Kyrgyz foreign debt.
8. Bakiyev names his own candidate to premiership.
9. Bakiyev tricks Kulov - a Russian analyst.
10. Also in the week of 21 - 27 January 2007...

22 January, Monday:

1. MASALIYEV DESTROYS THE KULOV'S HOPE TO BECOME A PREMIER AGAIN. Chairman of the parliamentary committee on legislation Iskhak Masaliyev stated on 22 January that the repeated nomination of Felix Kulov to the post of prime minister was illegal but the committee would present the issue to the parliamentary session and would ask not to consider it in essence. According to him, the re-nomination of the same person contradicts to the clause 158 of the Law on Parliament's Regulations and does not conform to the clause 7 of the Law on Government too. The envoys of the president and the prime minister, attended the committee meeting, could not give their counter arguments, however, they stated after the meeting that the re-nomination of Kulov was legal. The parliament discussed the resolution of the committee on 23 January and, after the long and heated debates, decided to hold a secret ballot on it 25 January. Itar-Tass, 24.kg, Kabar, IHT, Ъ, Regnum

23 January, Tuesday:

2. KULOV BECOMES A VICTIM OF HIS OWN OLD SYSTEM RESTORATION - TEKEBAYEV. Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev said in an interview with the AKIpress Agency on 23 January that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev wanted for a long time to get rid of Feliks Kulov, however, public promises and other things tied the two. But now, Bakiyev has a very good opportunity to get rid of Kulov and Kulov himself created such a system by his unexpected resignation last December. It was his New Year present to Bakiyev, but Kulov restored the old regime too minimizing the achievements of the people got in November. Kulov declared before that he adheres to the parliamentary form of governance but he made everything not to allow such a system in the country.

After the second voting in parliament on the Kulov's candidacy, Tekebayev said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club on 25 January, that Kulov lost support from the both opposition and pro-Bakiyev deputies and it was a result of his policy without a certain position and it should be a lesson for any politician. The same day, Tekebayev said in an interview with Deutsche Welle that Kulov made a gross mistake - he could turn the government into an independent body but he tried always slaving to the policy of the president. Maybe, he thought he was strengthening his position by it, but he receives a just the opposite result. AKIpress, BPC. DW

3. YOUTH ARE STILL AGAINST HIPC. Representatives of some youth and other non-governmental organizations held in front of the parliament building in Bishkek on 23 January a picket against joining of Kyrgyzstan to the HIPC initiative. They stated on 24 January they would prepare their own plan of lessening the foreign debt without HIPC. Minister of Economy and Finances Akylbek Japarov responded saying that some politicians use an ordinary economic program as an instrument in their struggle for power. Erica Marat wrote on the site Eurasian Daily Monitor on 26 January, "For HIPC's opponents, Kyrgyzstan's prospective membership has become an issue of national identity".

It became known the same day that Prime Minister Feliks Kulov recalled his signature under the letter sent on 28 December to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in which Kulov took a personal responsibility for participation of Kyrgyzstan in the HIPC program. The same day, Japarov said at a round table discussion on HIPC, organized by his ministry, that Kyrgyzstan could cut about $800-million of its foreign debt off by joining the program and even Kulov did not say he was against the program while recalled his signature. About a hundred people marched along the Bishkek streets on 27 January and held a meeting in the downtown demanding not to approve Azim Isabekov a new prime minister if he is for HIPC. Kabar, 24.kg, EDM, Regnum, BPC, Kommersant, DW

24 January, Wednesday:

4. THE US AIRBASE REMAINS IN KYRGYZSTAN. US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Marie Yovanovich said on 24 January the airbase at the Manas airport would be stationing there until the counter terrorism operation in Afghanistan continues. The same day, Yovanovich and Director of Central Asian Affairs at the US State Department Pamela Spratlen had a meeting with Prime Minister Feliks Kulov and Spratlen said the US businesspersons prefer low risks and educated personnel, so, joining of Kyrgyzstan to the HIPC Initiative would simplify their coming to the country. Yovanovich added Kyrgyzstan should take a final decision on HIPC itself. Spratlen and Yovanovich discussed on 23 January with First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov the issues of setting up the Foundation to Develop Kyrgyzstan and realization of an investment project to build a high-voltage line from Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakistan. 24.kg, Prime-Tass, Kabar

5. DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THAT AKAYEV WOULD TALK WITH THE US LIKE BAKIYEV DOES - AN EXPERT. Vice President of the Central Asian Intellectual Foundation Vostok Valentin Bogatyryov said in an interview with the Oasis magazine on 24 January about the priorities of the Kyrgyz government in its foreign policy that Kyrgyzstan should act in accordance with its national interests and there should not be a place in it for 'friendship' because it is dangerous for the national security. However, there is some moves to pragmatism in the foreign policy and the country becomes a friend with the countries helping it (and, maybe, until they help). It is a new strategy. Kyrgyzstan becomes more independent towards the US, Bogatyryov says, and it is difficult to imagine that former President Askar Akayev would talk with the US like incumbent President Kurmanbek Bakiyev does. Russia plays significant role in the Kyrgyz foreign policy traditionally. On the one hand, it is a result of the Russian own activity, on the other, it is a policy of Bakiyev, however, Russia is not interested in the Kyrgyz economy and Bishkek is not able to do anything with it. And the relations with China are a separate issue. We cannot ignore that the Chinese commodity colonization becomes total in Kyrgyzstan, the expert says. Oasis

25 January, Thursday:

6. KULOV STOPS BEING A KYRGYZ PRIME MINISTER. The parliament rejected by balloting on 25 January a resolution prepared by the committee on legislation, which suggested rejecting re-nomination of Feliks Kulov to the prime minister post and decided to consider the nomination. However, Kulov collected only 25 votes in his favor, two more than on 18 January, while needed 38 for approval. Speaker Marat Sultanov said after the ballot that a new person should now been nominated. Deputy Bolot Sherniyazov said the parliament should not have considered the Kulov's re-nomination because it took into consideration a resolution of the committee that it was illegal. Now, according to Sherniyazov, any citizen can sue the parliament saying it took an illegal action. Sherniyazov said in an interview with BBC the same day that the president is able to find support of 50 deputies when really wants passing a needed decision in the parliament but now was not able collecting 38 votes. Daniel Sershen called the decision as "a move that could prove a political milestone for Kyrgyzstan". Russian "Kommersant" reported that Bakiyev sacrificed Kulov and their tandem stopped being existed. Deputy Omurbek Tekebayev said, "Whoever becomes the new prime minister, he will play only a technical role under the president".

The same day later, Bakiyev held a meeting with Sultanov and Kulov with attendance of State Secretary Adakhan Madumarov and head of the presidential administration Myktybek Abdyldaev. Madumarov and Abdyldaev supported the suggestion of Sultanov that a new person should be nominated. The president expressed his regret that the parliament did not support Kulov and offered him other high state posts, but Kulov replied he was not interested in any post. Bakiyev also held a closed meeting with Kulov the same day. On 26 January, the president said during the consultations with the leaders of parliamentary factions that an idea of dissolution of the government prevailed among the government members as a single way out of the crisis after their resignation and the determination of Kulov on the HIPC initiative showed the government's failure. According to Bakiyev, he could have nominated Kulov for the third time but did not want deepening crisis between the government and parliament. On 26 January, Kulov said about his not-nomination, "What can I say about a person who does not keep his word?" Interfax, RIA Novosti, Itar-Tass, IHT, RIA Novosti

7. DIFFERENT OFFICIALS GIVE DIFFERENT AMOUNT OF THE KYRGYZ FOREIGN DEBT. Chairman of the National Bank Marat Alapayev told journalists in Bishkek on 25 January, that the foreign debt of the country had been lessened and was $1,860.2 million by 1 January. Minister of Economy and Finances Akylbek Japarov said at a round table on the HIPC issue on 26 January that the foreign debt is $1,926 million. President of the Kyrgyz Association of Oil Traders Bazarbai Mambetov said at a meeting at the same ministry on 27 January that the debt increased in recent months by $250 million.

The Tazar site reported on 30 November commenting the protest actions against HIPC and referring to the National Bank that it was $2,483 million by 1 July 2006. The National Bank said last October it was $2,001 million by 1 January 2006, and the Ministry of Economy and Finances says it was $1,940 by 1 November 2006. Tazar, 24.kg, Minfin, Kabar

26 January, Friday:

8. BAKIYEV NAMES HIS OWN CANDIDATE TO PREMIERSHIP. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev proposed the leaders of the party factions in the parliament at a special meeting with them on 26 January two options - either they choose not less than five their candidates and then he would pick up one out of them or he himself would nominate a candidate and the parliament would decide after it. The meeting participants agreed to the second option and Bakiyev named Azim Isabekov. All the parliamentarians attended agreed and the president nominated Isabekov officially the same day. Bakiyev said on 27 January most of the members of the old government would keep their posts. Isabekov said the same day a prime minister should not be involved in politics, he should be engaged in resolving the economic issues mostly.

Isabekov was born on 4 April 1960, he was a deputy to Bakiyev in 2000-2001 when the latter served as governor of the Chui Province, then Isabekov was the first deputy head of the presidential administration from November 2005 till May 2006 and most recently, he was minister of agriculture, water recourses and processing industry since 10 May 2006. Russian "Kommersant" reported on 27 January Azim Isabekov never had any big ambitions and that is why could now lead the Kyrgyz government next week. According to the newspaper, his approval in the parliament is a technical issue only. Ivan Yartsev wrote on the Russian site Politkom on 26 January, Isabekov followed Bakiyev as a shadow since 1997. Kabar, 24.kg, Kommersant, Politkom, IHT, RIA Novosti

9. BAKIYEV TRICKS KULOV - A RUSSIAN ANALYST. Vitaly Portnikov wrote in an article posted on the Russian site Politkom on 26 January that at first glance, it is logical that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev did not resign last December when Prime Minister Feliks Kulov resigned in spite of it was required by the tandem agreement between them signed in May 2005. A president is an official elected nation widely and he should not follow each prime minister if he resigns, it could lead to chaos. However, Bakiyev kept his power during the second revolution in Kyrgyzstan last November due to the support from Kulov and then, Bakiyev succeeded regaining his lost authorities in December by adopting a new constitution also due to the Kulov's resignation. After it, Bakiyev could dissolve the parliament, elected in the Akayev times, if it does not approve Kulov as a prime minister for the third time and could hold early parliamentary elections. So, Bakiyev fooled Kulov in the best Soviet traditions, Portnikov says. Politkom

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 21 - 27 JANUARY 2007:

10. On 21 January, State Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade Sabyr Moldokulov said in an interview with Deutsche Welle that many Kyrgyz citizens go abroad looking for job and the same time, Chinese companies create jobs in Kyrgyzstan and if the Chinese come to Kyrgyzstan to fill the vacancies, it would make some danger for the country. DW

11. On 21 January, the Russian site MediaCorSet reported on the arrest of Igor Izmestyev in Bishkek on 16 January where he arrived from Geneva to have a meeting with Prime Minister Feliks Kulov that the Russian ex-senator was ensnared. MediaCorSet

12. On 22 January, Director of the Bishkek Centre for Economic Analyses Sapar Orozbakov said in an interview with the AKIpress Agency that the current economic crisis in Kyrgyzstan caused for 90 percent by the political situation, so the economic future of the country is in the hands of politicians. If they come to agreement and form a fair political system without dividing people to allies and others and establishing rule of law, there would be progress, if not, the country would remain on the level of the African states.

13. On 22 January, Head of the Investigation Department of the Interior Ministry Kyrkeldi Kydyrbaev said U.S. Sergeant Zachary Hatfield, who shot to dead Kyrgyz citizen Alexander Ivanov at the US airbase Manas on 6 December, refuses coming to the investigative experiments several time, so the Kyrgyz side reserves a right to charge him in his absence and airbase Commander Col. Joel Reese has been informed on it. 24.kg

14. On 22 January, the parliament refused approving the report on implementation of the state budget for 2005. Chairman of the Accounting Chamber Nadyrbek Turgunbaev told deputies the government embezzled more than 2,000 million soms in 2005. Deputy Kamchybek Tashiev said during the discussion the Ministry of Economy and Finances transferred 40 million soms to bank accounts of the three private firms, authorized funds of which were not more than 100 soms each. Kabar, 24.kg

15. On 22 January, the agency Associated Press Pakistan reported, "The Asian Development Bank is providing a US$3 million technical assistance grant to study the potential for regional electricity trading that would help optimize utilization of power resources in both Central and South Asia. The feasibility study will prepare a proposed power trading project that would, in its initial stages, earn revenues for the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan by allowing them to initially export 1,000 megawatts of electricity to Pakistan". APP, Greater Kashmir

16. On 22 January, Head of the Organized Crime Department of the Interior Ministry Melis Turganbaev told journalists about the organized gangs, "We created monsters ourselves - the gang of Rysbek Akmatbaev before, the gang of Kamchibek Kolbaev now. There was time when we even flirted with them. But now we will not admit such practice". 24.kg

17. On 22 January, Anna Narinskaya criticized strongly the new novel by Tchingiz Aitmatov in Russian "Kommersant-Vlast" saying he wrote it adapting to the current political situation, however, the author does not understand himself what he writes; the language of the novel is very weak and it is full of Soviet rhetoric. Kommersant-Vlast

18. On 23 January, Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" gave the words by Kyrgyz Parliamentarian Omurbek Tekebayev who said Feliks Kulov had strong support in the parliament a year ago and the support to Kurmanbek Bakiyev was minimal, however, now they changed each other. Kulov committed a collusion with Bakiyev and resigned aiming to dissolve the parliament and to cancel the amendments to the constitution, which weakened the presidential authorities. His resignation was an instrument to return the country to the old constitution with a strong president.

19. On 23 January, Ibragim Rustambek referred in his article on the Gazeta.Kz site to Kyrgyz Parliamentarian Iskhak Masaliyev who said that the rule of three nominations presumes that three different persons should be nominated because if a candidate does won a confidence voting in the parliament it would be wrong to re-nominate him. Gazeta.Kz

20. On 23 January, Joomart Ormonbekov wrote in an article posted on the site of the Institute for Public Policy, "A wide-ranging coordinated policy for all state structures involved in European issues with special working group on cooperation with the European Union guiding interactions might bring positive results for Kyrgyzstan. It would be wise to appoint a special independent representative or coordinator on European policy in response to the appointment of the EU special representative for Central Asia". IPP

21. On 23 January, President Bakiyev received credentials from the newly appointed ambassadors of Armenia, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Macedonia, Russia, and Portugal. Bakiyev said during the meeting with Russian Ambassador Valentin Vlasov that deepening of relations with Russian is one of the key priorities of the Kyrgyz foreign policy. Kabar, Interfax, 24.kg, Itar-Tass

On 23 January, members of the New Times party held in Bishkek a meeting in support of Feliks Kulov and for his appointment as prime minister. Regnum

22. On 23 January, Marat Pernazarov of the State Agency for Financial Monitoring told journalists in Bishkek the government cancelled any licenses and quotas to open casinos or installing game machines and now, businesspeople should make one-time payment of eight million soms ($205,000) to open a casino or to pay 100,000 soms for each playing machine. On 26 January, Abdukhalyk Shamshiev of the State Agency for Financial Monitoring said the state budget received 110,000 million soms from casinos in 2006 and income from the lotteries was 2 million soms. 24.kg, Kabar

23. On 23 January, the first part of a tender to sell 72.28 percent of shares of the Kara-Balta Mining Complex, belonged to the government, was held in Bishkek. The three companies - Imotu Enterprise (Kyrgyzstan), Stans Energy Corp. (Canada) and UralPlatina Holding of the Russian Renova Group took part. Former director of the complex Jalgap Kazakbayev said on 24 January the results would be announced in a months, because the tender commission would review all the presented documents and business plans. 24.kg, Vedomosti, BPC

24. On 23 January, the Expert Consulting Agency released results of its survey on media priorities of the Bishkek City dwellers. According to the results, 98 percent of the surveyed people have TV sets at home and 18 percent have access to cable TV. The most popular TV channels are Pervyi of Russia (30 percent), Pyramida (17) and NTS (12 percent); 40 percent listen to radio, 30 percent does it daily and prefers the music programs; 20 percent listen to radio from time to time. Eleven percent of city dwellers buy newspapers every day, 40 percent does it at least once a week, 12 percent does not believe what the papers write. 24.kg, Kabar

25. On 23 January, Prime Minister Feliks Kulov handed 50,000 soms ($1,300) to the family of O.Jumakadyrov, who was killed during the operation on seizing professional killer Aibek Narmatov near Bishkek on 19 January. Another member of the special police squad, A.Kuljabayev, was wounded and Kulov have his family 20,000 soms. Narmatov also was wounded and died next day. 24.kg, AKIpress

26. On 23 January, Spokesman for the Bishkek City Administration Daniyar Shabdanov told journalists the administration prepares new actions to collect money. According to him, every vehicle registered outside of the city would pay $100 and more while entering the city and the dirty vehicles on the streets would be fined up to 1,000 soms ($26). Mayor Arstanbek Nogoyev said the same day the city needs $34,000 million for construction works. 24.kg

27. On 23 January, Director of the Bishkek branch of Transparency International Aigul Akmatjanova said 5 to 20 percent of the money allotted for state purchases is spent in Kyrgyzstan for bribes. 24.kg

28. On 23 January, the Moscow City Information Center informed that Mayor Yuri Luzhkov signed a special decree, according to which a hotel would be build at the Kyrgyz embassy in Moscow and the construction should be completed by the end of 2008. MCIC

29. On 24 January, several experts said in interviews with IWPR NBCA that "the latest version of the constitution is a source of controversy" as was the previous one adopted in November. For instance, if a political party won the election is unable to form a government and then another party nominated by a president fails as well, the whole parliament must be dissolved in spite of only those 50 percent of its members are elected by party lists. IWPR NBCA

30. On 24 January, Roman Pogozhev of the M-Vektor consulting agency said, according to their recent research, 40 percent of the non-governmental organizations in Kyrgyzstan are engaged in defending human rights and 25 percent in health care activity. The NGOs are formed by citizens who want resolving their problems without the government involvement, about a half of them work in the countryside, however, about a half of them exist on the paper only. There were 14,179 NGOs registered in the country by 1 April 2006. 24.kg, AKIpress, Kabar

31. On 24 January, State Secretary of the Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources Duishenbek Kamchybekov said Kyrgyzstan produced 10.721 tons of gold instead of planned 12.744 due to a breakdown at the Kumtor mine, which produced 9.447 instead of 11.255 tons. Kabar

32. On 24 January, prominent guitar player Daniyal Nazarmatov died at 67, he was before a deputy of parliament and had before served as director of the National Philharmonic Society and director of the State Opera. 24.kg

33. On 25 January, political correspondent for the Moscow-based newspaper "Vremya Novostei" Arkady Dubnov said in an interview with the 24.kg Agency that the Kulov's failure in parliament was "the Bakiev's personal decision; he had every opportunity to demonstrate his pro-tandem position but did not do it. The today's decision revealed Kulov's political naivety too, who really believed in his partner's sincerity". 24.kg, VN

34. On 25 January, Mikhail Pervushin wrote on the Russian site of Strana that in spite of the terms of the tandem agreement required, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev did not resign when Prime Minister Feliks Kulov resigned on 19 December causing a crisis in the country and many analysts believe Bakiyev himself inspired the failure of Kulov in the parliament.

35. On 25 January, Sate Secretary Adakhan Madumarov said during a meeting with Director for the Central Asian Affairs at the US State Department Pamela Spratlen and US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Marie Yovanovich that the Kyrgyz power branches returned to the constitutional area and the authors of the November constitution realized their mistakes and the 30 December constitution corrected them. Kabar

36. On 25 January, experts of the Kyrgyz Stock Exchange said some enterprises of the country changed their owners in 2006 after minor shareholders sold their shares - it happened at the Kant Cement and Roofing Slate Plant, the Stolichny Confectionary and others. 24.kg

37. On 25 January, the Bishkek City Assembly rejected a resolution prepared by the City Administration , which envisaged restricting the rights to hold meetings and pickets in the city. 24.kg

38. On 25 January, the Supreme Court upheld a ruling of the local court, which sentenced Abdulla Biyankhu and Rustam Ainayev, the ethnic Dungans, to 4 and 4.5 years of imprisonment respectively. According to the decision, their hooligan acts provoked inter-ethnic hatred in the Iskra village of the northern Chui province last year. Human Rights activists held a protest action in Bishkek on 26 January asking for pardon for them. 24.kg, CentrAsia

39. On 25 January, it was announced that a book by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev entitled The Reform of the Party System as a Major Condition for Democratic Development of Kyrgyzstan was released. 24.kg

40. On 25 January, Chairman of the National Bank Marat Alapayev told journalists in Bishkek that the gross domestic product of the country increased by 2.7 percent instead of planned 5 percent and the inflation rate was 5.1 percent (5.7 was a prognosis) in 2006. The foreign trade turnout was $2,544.3 million (42-percent increase) with a negative trade balance of $920.7 million. The gold export decreased by 10.7 percent in price and by 34.5 percent in tons. According to Alapayev, all the commercial banks had positive results and their profit was 814.7 million soms total and their reserves reached 2,889.1 million soms. The international reserves of the National Bank increased from 612.4 to 817.1 million soms and the monetary base increased by 47.4 percent at 22,799 million soms ($585 million). Kabar, 24.kg, BPC

41. On 25 January, Toktogul Kakchekeev of the Prosecutor General Office said 11,776 people out of tried 14,744 were convicted in Kyrgyzstan in 2006 as committed criminal crimes. Also, there were registered 824 economic crimes in 2006 and 551 cases were transferred to court. The total damage was $6.85 million and $3.4 million of it was compensated. The same day, Rita Tynayeva of the State Agency for Alcohol Production said 43,550 deciliters of alcohol worth 23.25 million soms ($600,000) were confiscated in Kyrgyzstan in 2006, it was more than in 2005 by 18.3 percent and 11 illegal alcohol factories were exposed. 24.kg, Regnum, Kabar

42. On 26 January, Ivan Preobrazhencky wrote on the Russian site Strana that Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev aimed consolidating his power by betraying the prime minister but it could lead him to loose of power because the parliament could now prevail after the president ridded of the powerful prime minister as an ally. Strana

43. On 26 January, the Batken Province administration said more than 500 incidents were registered along the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border in 2006 and most of them were connected with extortion committed by the Tajik border guards. Kabar

44. On 27 January, Professor of the New York University Stephen Cohen said in an interview with Washington ProFile that the Central Asian republics would still remain in the USSR and continue democratization if it did not collapse. According to Cohen, that democratization in Central Asia stopped with the collapse. WPF

45. On 27 January, Edil Baisalov said in an interview with Russian "Kommersant" that Feliks Kulov is not a perspective politician any more. According to Baisalov, Kulov did not learn anything from history - he was the vice president under Askar Akayev and helped Akayev strengthening his power, then was imprisoned when became not needed.

46. On 27 January, head of the European Commission's representative office in Central Asia Erich Mueller said in Bishkek the commission allots Kyrgyzstan 250,000 euros for rehabilitation of the drug addicts at the penitentiaries. 24.kg

47. On 27 January, Minister of Internal Affairs Omurbek Subanaliyev said 12 organized criminal groups are monitored in Kyrgyzstan by his ministry. 24.kg

48. On 27 January, the Ministry of Agriculture said there are in Kyrgyzstan 1,176 pestholes of anthrax and they are deactivated twice a year. 24.kg

49. On 27 January, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said at the Third Congress of Kyrgyz Entrepreneurs it is wrong to think that it is as better as more tourists come to Kyrgyzstan, because the construction work at the Lake Issyk-Kul with current speed without good ecological standards could destroy the lake in 10 years. 24.kg

50. Appointments and dismissals: On 22 January, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Dastanbek Berdiev the head of the administration of the Toktogul District of Jalal-Abad Province replacing Imamberdi Dosbaev. On 23 January, Bakiyev dismissed head of the international department of the presidential administration Ermek Ibraimov from his post. President, Kabar

Naryn Aiyp.
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Please send your feedback to IdinovN@tiscali.cz
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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 14-20 Jan 2007

2007-01-21T01:07:59Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 14 - 20 JANUARY 2007
________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. A new constitution is put into effect.
2. Kyrgyzstan too limits activity of foreign traders.
3. Consequences of the November revolution are eliminated.
4. Democrats turn into autocrats after coming to power.
5. Amendments to the constitution could be formulated after its adoption.
6. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are still the worst tyrannies in the world.
7. Labor migrants bring more profit than harm.
8. Russia disintegrates the CIS.
9. Kyrgyzstan under crossfire.
10. Kulov tries becoming premier after resignation.
11. Also in the week of 14 - 20 January 2007...

15 January, Monday:

1. A NEW CONSTITUTION IS PUT INTO EFFECT. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed on 15 January the law on new edition of the constitution, adopted by the parliament on 30 December, putting it into effect. Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov stated the same day that Bakiev has now more power than his predecessor Askar Akayev and accused the authorities of making more than 40 amendments in the text while the parliament agreed with the seven ones only on 30 December. According to Beknazarov, even Speaker Marat Sultanov could know nothing about them and he suggested revising the text. Deputy Kamchybek Tashiyev responded Beknazarov did not attend the parliamentary sessions and does not know how many amendments were made. The same day, Bakiyev signed a law on amendments to the law on government too, also passed in the parliament on 30 December, which allows him appointing members of government.

Media representatives were not invited to the ceremony; the president, prime minister, speaker of the parliament, chairpersons of the Constitutional and Supreme courts, the state secretary and head of the presidential administration attended. The new Constitution gives a president the right to appoint a prime minister after approval by parliament, he can now also appoint regional governors and appoint and dismiss security chiefs without parliamentary approval. The previous constitution, adopted on 8 November, curbed much of the presidential powers turning Kyrgyzstan into a parliamentary republic with much more authorities of the government, which should have been formed by a political party won the elections.

The Interbilim Center and several other non-governmental organizations expressed their indignation over the decision of the Security Council (SC), which recommended the president on 11 January to sign the constitution, and stated they do not trust it more. According to the authors of the statement, the SC meeting was similar to meetings during the Soviet times when any decision was taken unanimously and allegedly in interest of whole nation, however, the SC members forgot about the procedural breaches during the voting on 30 December, about the pressure put on some parliamentarians and the constitution was passed in favor of the president to avoid dissolution of the parliament. But the new text of the constitution contradicts to principles of protecting human rights and rules of democratic development in a whole. Kabar, 24.kg, Interbilim, RIA Novosti, Interfax, WP

2. KYRGYZSTAN TOO LIMITS ACTIVITY OF FOREIGN TRADERS. The government announced on 15 January that according to the decree of 12 January, foreigners and residents without citizenship would be prohibited to trade at the whole-sale and mini markets in Kyrgyzstan starting 1 April 2007, and number of foreigners at the trade centers, hyper and supermarkets should be not more than 10 percents. Chairwoman of the State Committee on Migration and Employment Aigul Ryskulova said the same day it is not a response to a similar decision by the Russian government but a measure to protect national interests and foreign citizens could continue making investment into Kyrgyzstan. According to her, there are 483,000 unemployed in the country, it is about 17 percent to economically active part of the population and now, the Kyrgyz citizens would do the work done by foreigners before. She also added there are about 10,000 foreign businesspersons in Kyrgyzstan, however, only 3,200 of them were officially registered, and they should sell their goods out until 1 April. According to her, due to a similar decision taken by Moscow, about 100,000 Kyrgyz citizens could be left without job in Russia after 1 April. There are 283,000 registered gastarbeiters from Kyrgyzstan in Russia now. 24.kg, Kabar

16 January, Tuesday:

3. CONSEQUENCES OF THE NOVEMBER REVOLUTION ARE ELIMINATED. Russian "Kommersant" reported on 16 January about the putting of the new Kyrgyz constitution, adopted on 30 December, into effect saying that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev found a way to eliminate all the consequences of the November revolution. He succeeded in getting back all the lost authorities and Kyrgyzstan was a parliamentary republic not for a long. After street protests of the opposition, the parliament adopted on 9 November a constitution, which restricted the president's power. Bakiyev did not please but signed it, however, the pro-presidential parliamentarians initiated a new constitution and, when the parliament rejected it twice, Bakiyev appeared before the parliament himself and threatened to dissolve it. They had to adopt the new constitution on 30 December.

The opposition For Reforms Movement said Bakiyev stops being a guarantor of the constitution if signs the new constitution, because it passed with violation of necessary procedures but Bakiyev asked the Constitutional Court to give a backdate expertise on it. Now, Bakiyev has full control over the law enforcement agencies and can send government members in resignation, minimizing independence of the government. His decrees would have a power of law and a procedure of impeachment against him has been complicated. The same time, the state increased its police authorities too. Kommersant

4. DEMOCRATS TURN INTO AUTOCRATS AFTER COMING TO POWER. Gennady Sysoyev wrote in an article carried by Russian "Kommersant" on 16 January that a power struggle between the president and the parliament in Kyrgyzstan and in other CIS countries is not only a tug of war between the power branches but is an issue of maturity of democracy in those states. In all of them, more power to president meant less democracy and the democratic opposition demanded for a parliamentary form of governance during the power changes in Kyrgyzstan in 2005, in Ukraine in 2004 and in Georgia in 2003. However, after coming to power, the opposition leaders began defending the presidential powers and forgot their previous promises. And the main problem is - is there a real separation of powers in those countries as a condition to avoid crises. Without it, any upheaval leads to undermine the power of the first person. Kommersant

5. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION COULD BE FORMULATED AFTER ITS ADOPTION. Renat Medetbekov, head of the Medetbekov Firm of Attorneys, stated on 16 January that the authorities, which came to power after the coup on 24 March 2005 and began taking properties of others, continues such their activity now by changing the constitution without keeping necessary legal procedures. Medetbekov asks, why the president came to the parliament on 30 December and asked for adopting several laws in one-two days and then red the amendments to the constitution, made the same day, until 15 January? And he answers himself: because those amendments were formulated by 15 January only. 24.kg

17 January, Wednesday:

6. TURKMENISTAN AND UZBEKISTAN ARE STILL THE WORST TYRANNIES IN THE WORLD. Freedom House released on 17 January the report Freedom in the World 2007, which says the year 2006 saw little change in the global state of freedom in the world and the emergence of a series of worrisome trends that present potentially serious threats to the expansion of freedom in the future. According to it, the percentage of countries designated as Free has remained flat for nearly a decade and suggests that a “freedom stagnation” may be developing. The continued weakness of democratic institutions—even after holding democratic elections—in a number of countries continues to hamper further progress. Jennifer Windsor, Executive Director of Freedom House, said, "Although the past 30 years have seen significant gains for political freedom around the world, the number of Free countries has remained largely unchanged since the high point in 1998".

Regionally, major findings include a setback for freedom in a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, a more modest decline in Africa, and a solidification of authoritarian rule in the majority of countries of the former Soviet Union. The trends reflected the growing pushback against democracy driven by authoritarian regimes, including Russia, Venezuela, China, Iran, and Zimbabwe, threatening to further erode the gains made in the last thirty years. Russia continued in 2006 to serve as a model for authoritarian-minded leaders in the region and elsewhere, and the country experienced a modest decline as a result of its crackdown on non-governmental organizations. Modest declines were also noted in Azerbaijan (decline in press freedom, including President Aliyev’s increasingly tight grip on the media) and Kyrgyzstan (decline in religious freedom, including a number of violent incidents involving alleged religious extremists that took place in the country's south).

As before, all the countries were divided according to the Freedom Rating into the three groups - 'free', 'partly free' and 'not free'. Among the former Soviet republics, only Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine were included in the 'free' countries' group. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova are in the group of 'partly free' states and Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are 'not free'. The last two countries, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, were included in the group of worst of the worst along with Cuba, North Korea, Libya, Sudan, Burma, and Somalia, a failed state. An additional ten countries received scores that were slightly above the worst ranked countries: Belarus, China, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Laos, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Western Sahara.

It is said in the report that Russian President Vladimir Putin has systematically weakened or marginalized independent media, advocates for democracy, and regime critics generally. The murder of crusading journalist Anna Politkovskaya, carried out in gangland assassination style, is but the latest, albeit the most disturbing, case in a series of journalist killings that have gone unsolved by the government. Although the United States and almost all countries in Western Europe registered the highest possible ratings on the freedom index, the report noted several problems in a number of these established democracies. The United States suffered from a series of political corruption cases and weakness in the enforcement of laws meant to ensure the rights of workers to form unions and engage in collective bargaining. The continued detention of terrorism suspects at the naval base in Guantanamo Bay; the detention of some terrorism suspects in various facilities in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere. In general, if there were only 42 'free' countries in the world in 1976, their number increased to 90 in 2006 and number of 'not free' countries lowed from 68 to 45. Forty-six percent of the global population live now in the 'free' countries, 17 percent in the 58 'partly free' states and the rest 37 percent live in the 'not free' countries, about one-half of those inhabit one country: China. FH, FT

7. LABOR MIGRANTS BRING MORE PROFIT THAN HARM. "Le Monde" reported on 17 January that the World Bank report on migration says that immigration brings gains both to migrants themselves and the countries where they come and where they come from too. The total sum of remittances made by the labor migrants to the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia reached $19,000 million in 2004, or eight percent of total global money transfers ($232,000 million) and it was equal to 12 percent of the total money received by the developing countries. However, there is a conflict - the Western countries need for labor forces and they fear the same time that the immigrants would stay in their countries forever. The World Bank suggests using State Subsidies to encourage circular migration to balance labor demand and supply. Chief Economist of the bank Willem Van Eeghen says the cyclic migration would be thrice-favorable move.

The World Bank reported on 16 January, "Russia is home to the second largest number of migrants in the world after the United States, with an estimated 3 million to 3.5 million undocumented immigrants. And many economies are heavily dependent on remittances—the money migrant workers send home to their families from abroad". Monde, Times, WB

8. RUSSIA DISINTEGRATES THE CIS. Dmitry Verkhoturov wrote in an article posted on the Russian site Blotter on 17 January that Russia itself initiates the disintegration processes in the Commonwealth of Independent States by holding energetic wars against Ukraine, Georgia and Belarus, by toughening the migration legislation and infringement of the rights of labor migrants. Uzbekistan followed the Russia's model and also raised the gas prices for the neighbor countries. According to Verkhoturov, Moscow's disintegration policy contradicts its rhetoric about the common economic area and its policy is to sell energy at the world prices and to close its market for goods produced in other countries. Such mercantilism could isolate Russia economically and turn it into an outcast country, the author says. Blotter

9. KYRGYZSTAN UNDER CROSSFIRE. Russian "Kommersant" reported on 17 January on relations between the ex-Soviet republics in 2006, "With regard to Kyrgyzstan, the most restless country in Central Asia, this year has been fraught with difficulties for Russia. At the beginning of 2006, acting on Moscow's advice, Bishkek demanded an increase from $3 million to $200 million in the annual rent that the United States pays for its Ganci airbase. Washington refused, but the question of payment for the base remained on the negotiating table, and for several months Bishkek found itself caught between the US, which demanded a lower price, and Russia, which wanted an end to the American military presence in Kyrgyzstan…. In the fall, the Kremlin gave full rein to its dissatisfaction with Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev…. When Kyrgyzstan faced the prospect of another revolution, Russian state-owned television channels instituted a near-blackout of the authorities and gave time instead to opposition politicians. The situation was eventually tamed, but uncertainty remains both in Kyrgyz politics and in relations between Bishkek and Moscow". Kommersant

18 January, Thursday:

10. KULOV TRIES BECOMING PREMIER AFTER RESIGNATION. The parliament turned down the Feliks Kulov's candidature for prime minister’s post on 18 January - 23 deputies out of 65 present at the session voted for him during the secret ballot while 39 were against. Kulov said after the session, "We together with Kurmanbek Bakiyev were prepared for it. The president will continue introducing my candidature to the parliament until the positive result is reached". He said the government did not intend causing a crisis in Kyrgyzstan and to dissolve the parliament by its resignation. However, he said on 19 January, when the government resigned, that they wanted to help the parliament holding new elections on party lists.

Andrei Grozin of the Russian Institute for CIS Affairs told the Russian agency RIA Novosti the same day that rejection of the Kulov's candidacy was in interests of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. According to him, the Bakiyev's entourage decided to hold early parliamentary elections to get the country out of the crisis and to have a new legitimate parliament. Vice Speaker of the Kyrgyz parliament Kubanychbek Isabekov said they put a bomb under the parliament by the government's resignation but it blew up the government itself. Deputy Temir Sariyev said the same day the president himself should have presented Kulov to the parliament if he wanted him to be approved. Deputy Azimbek Beknazarov said any prime minister, Kulov or not, cannot work effectively in the country until the system is changed. Now, the president has every right to govern and the prime minister has responsibility without rights. Russian "Kommersant" reported on 19 January that Bakiyev would re-submit Kulov again for his service for counter-revolution.

Bakiyev re-submitted Kulov on 19 January, the parliamentary committee on legislation would consider it on Monday, 22 January, and the issue is expected being put on the parliament agenda on 23 January. The committee approved already the Kulov's candidacy on 17 January. Kulov said during the hearing it would be better to put the law enforcement agencies out from the structure of the government because, according to the constitution, the president controls over them and they do not depend on a prime minister while being members of the government. Kulov also said he takes a full responsibility for the Kyrgyzstan joining to the HIPC initiative. Bakiev submitted candidacy of Kulov on 16 January. Beknazarov said the same day that an issue whether Kulov would become a prime minister depends on the president only. If Kurmanbek Bakiyev wants it, the pro-presidential parliamentarians would vote for him, if Bakiyev does not want, they would not support Kulov. Kabar, 24.kg, BPC, RIA Novosti, Kommersant, Interfax, 24.kg, Kabar, Regnum, BPC, Itar-Tass, IHT

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 14 - 20 JANUARY 2007:

11. On 15 January, "The Japan Times" reported, "The political situation in Kyrgyzstan is far from stable. Discontent with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's rule is rising. A leadership change or increased Russian and Chinese pressure on Kyrgyz leaders could precipitate calls for a renegotiation of the agreement regarding access to Manas -- or even demands for its termination altogether". Japan Times

On 15 January, former deputy of parliament Zainidin Kurmanov said in an interview with the AKIpress agency the whole idea of the constitutional reform has been discredited in Kyrgyzstan and there is no sense to discuss procedural issues. AKIpress

12. On 15 January, it was announced a number of members of the Ar-Namys Party broke away and set up the new party Beren, which was registered with the Ministry of Justice on 30 December, it has now about 2,000 registered members and has an aim to establish parliamentary form of governance in Kyrgyzstan and to dissolve the incumbent parliament. PR, 24.kg

13. On 15 January, head of the non-governmental organization Clean Nature Anara Dautaliyeva said during a round table discussion on privatization in the energetic sector organized by the Internet newspaper Tazar that nobody yet proved in the world that privatized energetics is more effective than the state-owned one and a scandal with Enron in the States showed it. tazar

14. On 15 January, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child opened its 44th session in Geneva, Kyrgyzstan would present reports on the two Optional Protocols - on the involvement of children in armed conflicts and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography at it. Children as Partners

On 15 January, the Russian TV Channel Culture and Radio of Russia began rebroadcasting their programs in Kyrgyzstan from 6:00 till 2:00. AKIpress

15. On 16 January, Zainidin Kurmanov said in an interview with the Russian site Eurasian Home about the accusations that the last constitution was adopted with procedural infringements that such things happened in Kyrgyzstan before and the other amendments to the constitution were made with infringements too, "The process of political decision-making is highly personalized in Kyrgyzstan…. Kyrgyzstan is a small state whose political life is defined by no more than 20 or 30 policy-makers. So, the situation can be drastically changed by two or three political heavyweights". Eurasian Home

16. On 16 January, the Russian site KMnews reported the Kyrgyz opposition is in a stalemate situation now because confirmation of Feliks Kulov as new prime minister would strengthen the government and in addition to it, ordinary people consider that the opposition politicians act for their own interests rather than for the people's ones. KMnews

17. On 16 January, the Institute for Public Policy released a report on a round table about the Kyrgyzstan's achievements in 2006 held on 11 January. Program Director of the Development Programs Support Foundation, Valentin Bogatyrev, said at it, "A new form of democracy started in Kyrgyzstan in 2006, which is a consensus, or agreement democracy. 'In traditional canons of democracy, there is the rule of the majority; consensus democracy is rule by agreement, not rule of law, but rule of agreements; a subject unit is not the individual and his rights, but a clan and tribe'. Whether this circumstance is good or bad is a separate question, but, according to Bogatyrev, it symbolizes a return to the old cultural foundations of Kyrgyz society, and it has proved to be a working mechanism". IPP

18. On 16 January, Expert of the International Institute for Strategic Studies under the president Elmira Nogoibayeva said in an interview with the 24.kg agency that there is not yet a deep crisis in Kyrgyzstan, however, the country has no its own strategy, so, Kyrgyzstan could become a victim of foreign strategies. 24.kg

19. On 16 January, Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club there are some different representatives of foreign circles around the president who can influence him and their goals differ from the strategic goals of Kyrgyzstan. BPC

20. On 16 January, President of the Russia's Academy of Military Sciences General Makhmut Gareev said in an interview with the Russian agency RIA Novosti that foreign forces threaten the Russian security both with military and non-military means and the events in former Yugoslavia or the color revolutions in Georgia, Ukraine in Kyrgyzstan showed it. RIA Novosti

21. On 16 January, Chinara Seidakhmatova, one of the leaders of the Party of Women of Kyrgyzstan said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that the international financial organizations should share responsibility for the current economic crisis in Kyrgyzstan and the question of joining to the HIPC initiative is a political issue rather than economic one. BPC

22. On 16 January, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alikbek Jekshenkulov and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov signed in Moscow a program of cooperation for 2007. On 15 January, Jekshenkulov met in Moscow with First Vice Speaker of the Russian State Duma Lyubov Sliska. Itar-Tass, Regnum

23. On 16 January, the Heritage Foundation and the "Wall Street Journal" released the 2007 Index of Economic Freedom ranking 161 countries of the world across 10 specific freedoms, things like tax rates and property rights. The freest countries are Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, the US and New Zealand, the worst are Libya, Cuba and North Korea. Kyrgyzstan is on the 79th place, ahead of Moldova (81), Tajikistan (98), Azerbaijan (107), Russia (120), Ukraine (125), Uzbekistan (132), Belarus (145) and Turkmenistan (152), but after Estonia (12th place in the world), Lithuania (22), Armenia (32), Georgia (35), Latvia (41) and Kazakhstan (75). HF

On 16 January, the parliament sent to committees for revision the two law drafts - on prohibition to get Kyrgyz citizenship for citizens of the neighboring countries if they do not refuse their original citizenship and the law draft on simplifying of getting Kyrgyz citizenship. 24.kg

24. On 16 January, the parliament passed a law on administrative responsibility for smoking in public places. According to it, private persons could be fined to sum of 100 to 300 soms for it, fines for officials could be from 1,000 to 2,000 soms and organizations, which do not separate special places for smoking could be fined up to 50,000 soms ($1,300) Smoking is prohibited completely at the health care, education, culture and sport organizations. Kabar, 24.kg

25. On 16 January, Chairman of the Committee for State Property Tursun Turdumambetov said 72.2 percent of state-owned enterprises were privatized in Kyrgyzstan by 1 January 2007, including 88.7 percent in industry, 97.6 percent in trade and catering, 99.9 percent in consumer services. According to Turdumambetov, 351 enterprises are now in process of bankruptcy and a volume of investment into the industrial enterprises was 1,137 million soms ($29 million) in 2006, or two times more than in 2005. 24.kg, Kabar

26. On 16 January, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Processing Industry said harvest of crops was in 2006 less than in 2005 by 105,200 tons, sugar-beet harvest decreased by 62,900 tons, cotton production fell by 500 tons. The harvest of melons and gourds increased by 12,000 tons, and harvest of leguminous plants rose by 12,400 tons. Kabar

On 16 January, Akram Asrorov wrote in an article posted on the site Gazeta.kz that the Kyrgyz government abolished the country's textile industry in the 1990s by privatization and now, all the Kyrgyz markets are overloaded by Chinese production because Kyrgyzstan is a member of the World Trade Organization. Gazeta.kz

27. On 16 January, deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev said in an interview with the Tazar Internet-newspaper the prosecutors have not yet filed a criminal case against him in spite of accusing him of smuggling $100,000. He was barred from the flight Bishkek-Istanbul on 9 January, however, nothing was confiscated. Tazar

28. On 16 January, Minister of Emergencies Janysh Rustenbekov told President Kurmanbek Bakiyev that the earthquake in the Naryn Province on 26 December made a damage of 132 million soms ($3.4m) and damage from the earthquake happened in the Batken Province on 8 January was 92 million soms. 24.kg

29. On 16 January, Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir uulu suggested using a method used in the Emirates for amnesty. According to him, the Kyrgyz government could cut prison terms for inmates who learn Koran or Bible by heart in the penitentiaries. 24.kg

30. On 17 January, "The Wall Street Journal" reported that the Central Asian countries realize that their independence after the collapse of the USSR based not on their own strength but on a balance got between the world powers in the region. WSJ

31. On 17 January, Viktoria Panfilova wrote in Moscow-based "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" that the new constitution adopted on 30 December is perceived in Kyrgyzstan controversially because it annulled 'a peace agreement' got between the political forces in November after the protest rallies. NG

32. On 17 January, the Internet-Newspaper Tazar reported a new group of deputies of parliament called the pro-Bakiyev parliamentarians - Marat Sultanov, Akmatbek Keldibekov, Kamchybek Tashiyev, Iskender Gayipkulov and others - ousted recently a group of opposition parliamentarians - Omurbek Tekebayev, Azimbek Beknazarov, Temirbek Sariyev and others - from the proscenium of the Kyrgyz politics. Tazar

33. On 17 January, former Secretary of the Security Council Miroslav Niyazov said in an interview with the "Delo Nomer…" weekly that the president should either give up all the authorities or to take the responsibility and lead the government himself. Also, according to him, a spy scandal, when the two US diplomats were expelled from Kyrgyzstan in 2006, impacted negatively on the negotiations with the Americans on the Manas airbase, which he conducted in May-June, the affair did not bring Kyrgyzstan nothing but harm. Delo Nomer…

34. On 17 January, the Ministry Economy and Finances said the gross domestic product of the country was 113,200 million soms ($2.8m) in 2006 increasing by 2.7 percent compared to 0.2-percent growth in 2005, and the inflation rate was 5.1 percent in 2006 (4.9 in 2005). The industrial output reached 50.900 million soms and increased by 10.2 percent in 2006 (it fell by 12.1 percent in 2005) due to decrease of the gold production by 36.2 percent. Kabar

35. On 17 January, experts of the UN Development Program said a level of the shadow economy in Kyrgyzstan is about 53 percent to the gross domestic product. Kabar

36. On 17 January, owners of the Pyramida TV channel announced they appointed Mirbek Orozov new president of the channel replacing Andrei Tsvetkov, who was appointed to the post on 10 January temporarily. 24.kg

37. On 18 January, Erica Marat reported in an article posted on the site Eurasia Daily Monitor that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev "has a reputation as a corrupt politician with a rural mindset who is unable to speak either Kyrgyz or Russian fluently. His closest relatives are being accused of corruption", and wrote on his brothers and sons - who serves where - and concluded, "With such an extensive family network encompassing politics and business, Bakiyev is able to manipulate unwanted figures through indirect ways". EDM

38. On 18 January, John Daly wrote in an article posted on the site Global Terrorism Analysis about the US airbase in Kyrgyzstan, "Washington should learn from its equivocal tactics in 2005 in Uzbekistan, and if it does not address what it regards as a minor incident in the December 6 death of Ivanov, insisting instead that under a 2001 agreement with Kyrgyzstan U.S. servicemen come under U.S. jurisdiction, it might well lose its last base in the former Soviet Union". GTA, Jamestown

39. On 18 January, German Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Klaus Grewlich told journalists in Bishkek that oil and gas reserves of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan would be exhausted in 40 year but Kyrgyzstan would still have the water to sell at that time, so, its economic development programs should be prepared correspondingly. 24.kg

40. On 18 January, Deputy of Parliament Almanbet Matubrayimiov said at the session that all the provinces of the country could be abolished if the country shifts from the four-level (center-province-district-local) budget system to a two-level system and a half of bureaucrats in the government could also been cut. Kabar

41. On 18 January, Russian "Kommersant" reported the former senator of the Russian Federation Council from Bashkortostan, Igor Izmestyev, was detained at the Manas airport in Bishkek on 16 January after his arrival "from Geneva on a private airplane to meet with Prime Minister Felix Kulov 'on business issues'…. When a scheduled flight arrived from Novosibirsk, Izmestyev was placed on its return flight" and then was delivered from Novosibirsk to Moscow and "the protocol for Izmestyev's detainment states that he was taken into custody in Moscow" on 17 January. He is accused of involvement in organizing two contract killings in Russian and a killer betrayed him. The Kyrgyz agency 24.kg reported on 19 January that Izmestyev was not in a wanted lists, so, his detainment in Kyrgyzstan was groundless. Kommersant, NTV, Prime-Tass, Vedomosti, 24.kg

42. On 18 January, Anvar Abdraev, the president of the Union of Banks of Kyrgyzstan, said in an interview with the 24.kg agency that what they call mortgage here in Kyrgyzstan now, is not a really mortgage, it is a commercial crediting to buy habitation with fairly high interest rates and short period of payout. 24.kg

On 18 January, the representative office of the European Commission in Bishkek said the commission allots 6.5 million euros for construction of the 26-kilometer road around the Tajik enclave of Vorukh in the southern Kyrgyz province of Batken. Kabar

43. On 18 January, a representative of the Sharp Company of Japan Tomio Isogai told journalists in Bishkek the company would organize the curses in Kyrgyzstan to train specialists to maintain products of the company with the aim to make Sharp the number one company in Kyrgyzstan. Kabar

On 18 January, the Jalal-Abad Province administration said the Fonta Company mines gold in the Suluu Tegerek and Kuru Tegerek valleys if the Chatkal District illegally and makes enormous damage to ecology and sells the gold to neighboring Uzbekistan. Kabar

44. On 18 January, close to midnight, Yrysbek Jooshbekov, the director of the Kara-Suu Bazaar, one of the largest markets in Central Asia, was gunned down. Unknown men made five shots from the roof of the next-door building when he was together with his wife in the courtyard of his house in the village of Octyabr of the southern Osh Province. The market's previous director, Abdalim Junusov, was shot dead along with his driver in September 2005. Daniel Sershen connected the event on 19 January with the recent decisions by the parliament authorizing legislators to carry firearms and giving private citizens the right to use weapons in defense of property. IHT, Kabar, 24.kg, Eurasianet

On 18 January, Deputy of Parliament Murat Jurayev said at a session he prepares a law draft, according to which the fingers or hands of public servants should be cut as punishment for embezzlement. He also suggested before that Kyrgyzstan should become a part of Russia. 24.kg, Kyrgyz Weekly

45. On 19 January, Arkady Dubnov said in an interview with the 24.kg agency that Kyrgyzstan, which was a country of politically active reforms, shows now a pitiful sight. The incumbent parliament is not able conducting reforms and must be dissolved and it would happen until the end of 2007. 24.kg

46. On 19 January, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council Alik Orozov said in an interview with the Internet-newspaper Tazar that the most important decision should be taken in the country collectively, and gave an example of the territories ceded to China, the fate if them were decided by a single person "secretly and thievishly". Tazar

47. On 19 January, Spokesman for the Prosecutor General Toktogul Kakchekeev said in an interview with "Moscow News" that "the American base [at Manas] is not only designed to fight terrorism. It is also an instrument for the establishment of U.S. domination in the region. And what is also important, the base serves to conduct electronic intelligence on the territory of adjacent China". MN

48. On 19 January, the World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) stated from Geneva that Kyrgyz Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir uulu nominated Jalal-Abad Province Prosecutor Abdibakyt Halmurzaev as "human rights defender". However, Halmurzaev refuses for a long time to investigate into the case of Nargiza Turdieva who was allegedly beaten by police inspector Ali Mageyev on 14 January 2006, when she was pregnant. The OMCT says the Bakir uulu's initiative "discredits the figure of the ombudsman and if no measure is taken by the General Prosecutor, his office will also lose its credibility" and asks the world community to express their protests to the Kyrgyz leadership. OMCT

49. On 19 January, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth Policy Kanybek Osmonaliyev said the government allots for science means equal to 0.12 percent of the gross domestic product while the figure even in Tajikistan is 0.4 percent. Kabar

50. Appointments and dismissals: On 19 January, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Askerbek Aliev head of the state administration of the Aksy District in the southern Jalal-Abad Province replacing Toktogul Akirov. On 20 January, Bakiyev appointed Akparaly Karabayev the first deputy head of the administration of the Talas Province. President, Kabar

Naryn Aiyp.
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Please send your feedback to IdinovN@tiscali.cz

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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 7-13 Jan 2007

2007-01-14T11:11:30Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 7 - 13 JANUARY 2007
________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. The president interprets the constitution in his favour - Lawyer Medetbekov.
2. Terrible dictatorships appear at the interfaces between great powers' spheres of interests.
3. Kyrgyzstan has no strong and purposeful foreign policy - Ambassador Abdyldaev.
4. A black phase begins in lives of opposition politicians.
5. The Foreign Ministry is strengthening its position.
6. Head of US intelligence criticizes the Central Asian regimes.
7. Kyrgyz leaders do not meet their commitments and the EC is not ready for leadership.
8. Adoption of a new constitution was a solely right decision - Speaker Sultanov.
9. Also in the week of 7 - 13 January 2007...

8 January, Monday:

1. THE PRESIDENT INTERPRETS THE CONSTITUTION IN HIS FAVOUR - LAWYER MEDETBEKOV. Renat Medetbekov, head of the Medetbekov Firm of Attorneys, stated on 8 January that the speech by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev at a parliamentary session on 30 December was 'not true'. According to Medetbekov, the previous constitution was adopted on 8 November by consensus of all political forces after discussion lasted for one and a half year and after a week-long rallies in Bishkek, while the next constitution adopted after the presidential speech on 30 December, was discussed for 10 days only followed the staged resignation of the government and in spite of resistance and absence of opposition members of the parliament. The last constitution was adopted by minimum of numbers of parliamentarians and a single forced vote could make it invalid. However, everybody saw that Deputy Mamytbai Salymbekov was forced to vote for the constitution.

Medetbekov also said the new constitution returned the president his authorities stripped of by the previous constitution, however, there was no need to adopt a new constitution to grant the president additional power and there were no irresolvable contradictions in the previous constitution, as Bakiyev said on 30 December. When it is favourable for him, the president says it is not necessary to hurry with constitution and in other cases he says the parliament must pass several laws in 1-2 days. The parliamentarians did not interpret the constitution in their favour, they used the clause 95 of the constitution adopted on 8 November, however, the president interprets the constitution in his own favour. He also asked the chairperson of the Constitution Court to help editing the text of the new constitution to avoid the case that the text could be sent to the court for expertise. 24.kg

9 January, Tuesday:

2. TERRIBLE DICTATORSHIPS APPEAR AT THE INTERFACES BETWEEN GREAT POWERS' SPHERES OF INTERESTS. Yves Bourdillon wrote in an article carried by French "Les Echos" on 9 January that it is not accidental that the most terrible dictatorships are established often in the regions, which are coaxed from different sides - like Mobutu in Zaire or Ceausescu in Romania. Now, their successors are in Central Asia and Middle East, where China, the USA, the European Union, Russian and some regional powers compete and where is now a tectonic break of geopolitics. However, according to the author, the rare species of grotesque and brutal tyrants are disappearing and after the death of Turkmen President Saparmurad Niyazov, only Kim Jong II of North Korea and Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan are alive. Les Echos, InoPressa

3. KYRGYZSTAN HAS NO STRONG AND PURPOSEFUL FOREIGN POLICY - AMBASSADOR ABDYLDAEV. Erlan Abdyldaev wrote in an article posted on the site of the Institute for Public Policy on 9 January, "The entire sequence of events which took place in Kyrgyzstan in 2006 again confirms that under an impaired and unstable leadership, stagnating economy and general unsteady internal political situation in the country, there cannot be a strong and purposeful foreign policy…. a foreign policy direction of “returning Kyrgyzstan home to Central Asia”, made by Kurmanbek Bakiev in the beginning of his presidency, started getting realized but, unfortunately, in a negative manner for Bishkek. The realm of foreign policy for President Bakiev within this framework really starts narrowing down to relations with the Russian Federation, Central Asian neighbors, certain CIS member states, and as an exception, with Iran and Turkey". However, "notwithstanding persistent efforts of the Kyrgyz leadership and personally President Bakiev on rapprochement with the foreign policy partner number one – Russia, Kyrgyz-Russian relations regrettably did not develop further".

According to Abdyldaev, "conducting constitutional, administrative, economic reforms by the leadership of Kyrgyzstan during the past year, real reduction of the level of corruption, fight against organized crime, including harsh counteraction to attempts of criminals to integrate into government as well as firm determination to solve other crisis problems could add a significant “capital” not only to the domestic but also to flexible foreign policy maneuvering. However, unfortunately, in 2006 the leadership of Kyrgyzstan, fully preoccupied with the struggle for power, could neither resolve the abovementioned problems nor indicate fundamental approaches to their solution, giving Kyrgyzstan increasingly an image of an unstable state in the eyes of foreign partners…. It is indicative that in 2006 no delegation headed by a president or prime minister has visited Kyrgyzstan". IPP

10 January, Wednesday:

4. A BLACK PHASE BEGINS IN LIVES OF OPPOSITION POLITICIANS. The Prosecutor General's Office announced on 10 January they launched criminal proceedings against Deputy of Parliament Temir Sariyev, accusing him of smuggling. Early in the morning of 9 January, he was barred from a flight Bishkek-Istanbul during a checking-in at the Manas airport. Sariyev told journalists later the same day that no parliamentarians declared at the airport their cash money before, he had along with him $10,000 in cash but when the customs officials asked for, answered he had $100,000 as a joke. They recorded it and accused him of wanting to smuggle the money and barred from the flight. However, no money was confiscated.

The Russian Regnum agency reported on 9 December in connection the incident, "For the last two weeks a black phase started in lives of opposition members of the parliament. Recently, photos were published on one of web-sites portraying a person resembling opposition MP Kabay Karabekov, who was in a sauna accompanied by a girl. Later, a letter was published in the web where another opposition politician Omurbek Tekebayev was allegedly asking money from ex-president Askar Akayev for holding a rally".

The Ata-Meken Party said on 8 January an emergency squad of women (OBON) deranged twice the meetings of Deputy of Parliament Omurbek Tekebayev with his voters in Jalal-Abad Province last week. According to the party, led by Tekebayev, none of the provokers were residents of his constituency and the authorities invited them from other districts. Tekebayev himself said on 9 January that the OBON rare of women from the Suzak District, home district of the president, they took part in seizing the building of the Muftiyat in Bishkek on 24 December and then were sent to Jalal-Abad and wanted persons Anarbai and Manas head them. Tekebayev also said he had information that about 20 parliamentarians would be arrested if the parliament is dissolved. Kabar, 24.kg, Tazar, RIA Novosti, Regnum, Compromat, BPC

5. THE FOREIGN MINISTRY IS STRENGTHENING ITS POSITION. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev approved on 10 January the Conception of Foreign Policy of Kyrgyzstan, prepared by the Foreign Ministry and which envisages the ministry should coordinate activity and interactions of the executive and legislative branches of power in international affairs. According to the conception, it is based on necessity of strengthening the regional position of Kyrgyzstan and the priorities are: strengthening of the national security by foreign policy methods; forming favorable foreign conditions for realization of national priorities of development; strengthening of a positive international image of Kyrgyzstan; forming an effective system of foreign policy activity lead by the ministry.

The foreign policy activity should be concentrated on the regional, continental and global spheres of cooperation - on creating friendly neighborhood and strengthening traditional neighborliness with the states of the region; on cooperation with Russia as a condition for long-term development of the country; on continuation of active cooperation with the USA in fight on the international terrorism; on maximal using of possibilities of globalization. The Kyrgyz-Russian-English trilingualism and using of such national brands like Issyk-Kul, Aitmatov, Manas Epos and Great Silk Road as well as a unique geostrategic opportunity, which the both US and Russian military bases give the country, should contribute to the development.

The conception also envisages that the president, the prime minister or the foreign minister only have the right to make statements on the issues of foreign policy and other officials of the executive power can do it after corresponded concordance with them or by their commission. The parliament, according to the conception, provides the foreign policy course with legislative support acting in frames of its constitutional authority and secures implementation of the foreign commitments by Kyrgyzstan. President

11 January, Thursday:

6. HEAD OF US INTELLIGENCE CRITICIZES THE CENTRAL ASIAN REGIMES. US National Intelligence Director John Negroponte, nominated by President George Bush on 5 January to become Deputy Secretary of State, presented on 11 January an annual review of global threats to the Senate Intelligence Committee. He said, "Russia is attempting to exploit the leverage that high energy prices has afforded it, increasingly using strong-arm tactics against neighboring countries". Chief of the US intelligence also characterized the five Central Asian Countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - as ranging in their political structure from semi-authoritarian to dictatorial, "The repression, leadership stasis and corruption that tend to characterize these regimes provide fertile soil for the development of radical Islamic sentiment and movements, and raise the questions about the Central Asian states' reliability as energy and counterterrorism partners". According to him, "In the worst, but not implausible, case, central authority in one or more of these states could evaporate as rival political factions, clans or regions vie for power, opening the door to dramatic expansion of terrorist and criminal activity along the lines of a failed state". WP, IHT, NDTV

7. KYRGYZ LEADERS DO NOT MEET THEIR COMMITMENTS AND THE EC IS NOT READY FOR LEADERSHIP. Human Rights Watch released on 11 January, marked five years since the United States first sent detainees to Guantanamo, the report on human rights state in the world. Executive director of the organization Kenneth Roth wrote in the introduction essay to the report as well as in a separate article carried in The Financial Times on 12 January, "The Bush administration's use of torture and detention without trial has decimated its credibility. With China professing at best indifference to governments' domestic rights practices and Russia coddling tyrants, the leadership mantle is there to be seized. Yet the sad truth is that the EU is punching well below its weight" and "the EU is often disappointingly weak".

It is said in the part of the report on Kyrgyzstan, "Having come to power after the March 2005 'tulip revolution' on the promise of reform and a commitment to democracy, openness, and respect for fundamental human rights, the government of President Kurmanbek Bakiev largely failed to promote these principles…. The Bakiev government in 2006 revealed itself to be fragile and unable to implement key components of its reform agenda. The government also failed to curb organized crime and bring members of crime syndicates to justice…. Although in 2005 local rights groups reported greater freedom of the media following the change in government, in 2006 these achievements were rolled back…. On August 9, 2006, the Kyrgyz government violated international law by forcibly returning to Uzbekistan five Uzbeks, four of whom the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had recognized as mandate refugees and one asylum seeker…. At least five registered asylum seekers 'disappeared' in July and August from the city of Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan…. Kyrgyz authorities were increasingly hostile toward civil society groups during 2006". HRW, FT

8. ADOPTION OF A NEW CONSTITUTION WAS A SOLELY RIGHT DECISION - SPEAKER SULTANOV. The Security Council recommended President Kurmanbek Bakiyev on 11 January to sign into effect the constitution passed in the parliament on 30 December. Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov said at the meeting that the previous constitution was adopted in hurry to prevent escalation of social tensions in the country. It was a compromise decision and most of deputies voted for it without reading the text. According to that text, all the laws should have been brought in line with the constitution and any errors and controversies in the text itself should have been corrected in six months, until 9 May 2007, however, the resignation of the government on 19 December, rose fundamental problems and the parliamentarians accepted it with understanding. The parliament decided to adopt a new constitution to avoid the crisis deepening. According to the speaker, all the necessary procedures were complied and the decision was solely right at the moment. Bakiev said he would take the council recommendation into account when would take a decision on the constitution and recommended the parliament considering the candidacies to the Constitutional Court to secure its functioning. The meeting also asked the chairman of the court, Cholpon Bayekova, giving its expertise of the constitution.

Deputy of Parliament Azimbek Beknazarov said on 12 December the decisions of the Security Council are not obligatory ones and the majority members of the council are now acting officials only, but the president would use its decision to avoid personal responsibility. He added on 13 December that the parliament made on 30 December seven amendments to the constitution adopted on 8 November, however, there are more than 40 amendments in the text sent to the president for signing. Gulnara Iskakova, expert of the Center for Legal and Political Research, said on 12 January, in any case responsibility for the new constitution would be on the president. President, Kabar, 24.kg, BPC

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 7 - 13 JANUARY 2007:

9. On 7 January, four unknown men tried to rob the office of the independent September TV channel in Jalal-Abad representing themselves as officials of the Jalal-Abad Province administration. According to Executive Director of the Channel Cholpon Avazbekov, they had smooth-bore guns and left after being rebuffed. President of the channel is Asylbek Tekebayev, a brother of parliamentarian Omurbek Tekebayev. 24.kg, Kyrgyz Weekly

10. On 8 January, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting wrote, "Political analyst Valentin Bogatyrev suggests the new constitution may not be legal, as it has not been approved by the constitutional court - which, court head Cholpon Baekova said on December 30, is necessary. This, however, is impossible as parliament has not yet elected new members, and the court lacks a quorum". IWPR

11. On 8 January, the authors of the new constitution adopted on 30 December, said the president receives not very much additional power according to it, he obtained now the right to appoint local authorities and the officials of the defense ministry. The same time, a president cannot now to dissolve a parliament, he can only to call for early parliamentary elections. Kabar

12. On 8 January, Speaker of the Parliament Marat Sultanov said during a discussion on a parliament agenda for January that the issue of dissolution of the parliament is out of question now. According to him, the president has not yet signed the constitution adopted on 30 December because "he is still reading it". Sultanov also said a new prime minister would be nominated next week and the parliament would discuss the law draft on the state budget for 2007 after a new structure of the government would be defined. 24.kg, Tazar, Mir

13. On 8 January, Vice Speaker of the Parliament Kubanychbek Isabekov said the Security Council would decide the fate of the parliament on 10 January and it could dissolve the parliament. However, any decision taken by the council would be invalid because most of its members are acting officials. Isabekov also said the president could improve the instable situation in the country by canceling his decree on accepting resignation of the government. Regnum, BPC

14. On 8 January, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher said in an interview with the Russian agency Itar-Tass that the US would not strip immunity of its militaries at the Manas airbase in Kyrgyzstan. However, according to him, Washington understands concerns by the Kyrgyz side about the tragic incident at the base happened on 6 December, when a US sergeant killed a Kyrgyz citizen. Itar-Tass

15. On 8 January, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said 726 unsanctioned rallies, pickets and demonstrations were registered in Kyrgyzstan in 2006 compared to about 2,000 in 2005. 24.kg

16. On 8 January, an earthquake measuring six on the Richter scale shook southwestern Kyrgyzstan at 23:21, its epicentre was in the Batken Province 90 kilometres from the province centre. A resident of the Aikol village Jakyp Ormonov died from heart attack, about 1,000 buildings were damaged. Another earthquake with magnitude 5.5 jolted the northern Kochkor district on 26 December damaging a half of the building in the district. RIA Novosti, Kabar, 24.kg

17. On 9 January, the human rights center Citizens against Corruption and the Solidarity Network People Change the World appealed to the president asking him not to sign into effect the constitution adopted by the parliament on 30 December. According to them, the previous constitution and the law on changing the constitution were breached seriously by the adoption as well as the new constitution protects human rights much less than the previous one. Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Human Rights Tursunbek Akun made a similar appeal before. Kabar, 24.kg

18. On 9 January, Deputy of Parliament Kubatbek Baibolov said as a thin strata of intellectuals in the Kyrgyz society was destroyed by wild privatization in the early 1990s, now, the sense of law-abiding in the society is destroyed because the main legalists of the country breach the laws and the constitution. 24.kg

19. On 9 January, the site SNGnews posted a large article by Gulnara Iskakova, expert of the Center for Legal and Political Research, who said the Kyrgyz constitution was changed six times in the 15 years of independence (in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2003 and 2006) not taking into account the last move of 30 December while the other CIS countries changed their constitutions not more than three times. According to her, the Kyrgyz president had and has problems not only with the parliament but with the government too, because the executive branch of the power is two-headed in the country. SNGnews

20. On 9 January, Chairman of the parliamentary committee on legislation Iskhak Masaliyev said in an interview with the Kabar Agency that the constitution adopted on 30 December only corrected shortcomings of the previous constitution adopted on 8 November, it defined the presidential duties more neatly and due to it, some people say it gave more authorities to the president. According to Masaliyev, a president as a commander-in-chief must having the right to appoint a defense minister and a chairman of the security service as well as governors and local authorities. Otherwise, a political party, which wins the elections, could build its own system of power, because it should choose a prime minister. Kabar

21. On 9 January, the parliament passed a law on regulation of using the water recourses prepared by Deputy Omurbek Tekebayev. According to it, the government has the right to demand from the investors taking the hydropower establishments into concession to provide other consumers with water. 24.kg

22. On 9 January, Tajik border guards stopped the car of Governor of the Batken Province of Kyrgyzstan Sultan Aijigitov on the border post and humiliated him holding the governor at gunpoint. Commanders of the Batken (Kyrgyzstan) and Isfara (Tajikistan) border districts met on 10 January and decided to replace the fixed period border guards of the post by officers and ensigns. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said on 12 January he discussed the incident with the Tajik president via phone. 24.kg, Kabar, IHT

23. On 9 January, Andrei Korolyov reported in an article posted on the site Gazeta.kz there were 15,758 inmates in the Kyrgyz penitentiaries by 1 January 2006 while their real capacity is about 6,000 people and the officials of the penitentiaries sold their properties making damage of 880,000 soms (about $23,00) to the state budget in 1991-2005. Gazeta.kz

24. On 10 January, participants of a conference against the Kyrgyzstan's joining the HIPC initiative, held in Bishkek, appealed to the country leadership asking them not signing the documents on the joining. Members of parliament, representatives of political parties, non-governmental and human rights organizations participated. 24.kg

25. On 10 January, representatives of the Invest Media Company, which owns 56 percent of the shares of the Pyramida independent TV company, introduced the channel staff new executive officials. Andrei Tsvetkov, former producer general of the NTS TB channel replaced Adylbek Biynazarov as the interim president, and Irina Kalinina, also from NTS, became the vice president instead of Oleg Vassil. 24.kg

26. On 10 January, Coordinator of the opposition For Reforms! movement Omurbek Abdrakmanov announced the most radical members of it form a new organization For Kyrgyzstan Salvation within the movement. tazar

27. On 10 January, Washington-based Global Integrity released a report on governance and corruption in 43 world states. Kyrgyzstan was rated as a 'weak' state. No country has been classified as 'very strong', the United States has a 'strong' rating, while Democratic Republic of Congo rated 'very weak'. Global Integrity, Manila Bulletin

28. On 10 January, Vice Speaker of the Parliament Kubanychbek Isabekov said 1,100 people work at the Canadian Kumtor Operating Company, which develops the Kumtor gold deposit in Kyrgyzstan, and its yearly salary fund is $43 million, however, the Kyrgyz citizens of the staff, who comprise 95 percent of the total workers, receive $21 million only. 24.kg

29. On 10 January, Chairwoman of the State Committee on Migration Aigul Ryskulova said President Kurmanbek Bakiyev sent a special letter to Russian President Vladimir Putting asking for a quota of about 500,000 people for Kyrgyz labor migrants for 2007. According to her, Prime Minister Feliks Kulov also prepares similar letter to send to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. Kabar

30. On 10 January, American Writer and Scholar Richard Hewitt said in an interview with the 24.kg agency that the Kyrgyz word 'mashayak" means 'messiah' and it is pronounced like Jesus and Moses did it 2,000 years ago. Also, the Bible says Eve was created from a rib of Adam and the Kyrgyz men say until now that they would ask their ribs if they should discuss an issue with their wives. 24.kg

31. On 11 January, "World Defense Review" wrote about the new book "Terrorist Strategies against the West" by Professor Walid Phares, who says, "The Asian battlefields [to reestablish a modern day Caliphate] have grown geometrically in intensity and scope: Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia to the East; Bengla Desh, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan to the West; and Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the center". WDR

32. On 11 January, Daniel Sershen wrote in an article posted on the site EurasiaNet about the adoption of a new Kyrgyz constitution, "The slow reaction from the opposition may be partly a matter of timing, since the president's counter-reforms were passed on the eve of the long New Year holiday, which ended this week. But there is also evidence of division within the opposition ranks". EurasiaNet

33. On 11 January, Deputy of Parliament Kamchybek Tashiyev said Prime Minister Feliks Kulov and some members of his government put pressure on the president demanding not to sign into effect the new constitution adopted on 30 December, trying to continue their efforts to dissolve the parliament. However, according to Tashiyev, the president would sign the constitution soon. 24.kg

34. On 11 January, Chairman of the parliamentary committee on legislation and leader of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan said in an interview with the Litsa newspaper that it should not be let the political party, which wins the parliamentary elections in the future, to form all the power system of the country, otherwise, Kyrgyzstan would return to the old times like when the Communist Party dominated. Kabar

35. On 11 January, Omurbek Tekebayev said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that the parliament would serve until its term expires in 2010 if it survives by the spring, however, the president also would resign if the parliament is dissolved. BPC

36. On 11 January, Valentin Bogatyryov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club Prime Minister Feliks Kulov could be put in a foolish position is the last new constitution would be signed into effect. BPC

37. On 11 January, the Russian site Marketing and Consulting published an article by Vyacheslav Pozdnyakov who reports Russia has now seven airbases abroad - in Sevastopol (Ukraine), Tartus (Syria), Kant (Kyrgyzstan), Batum and Akhalkalaki (Georgia), Gumri (Armenia), and a base in Tajikistan. There are 366 militaries and 448 non-military servants at the Kant base. MiK

38. On 11 January, the parliament passed the law on amnesty devoted to the 15th anniversary of the country and adoption of a new constitution. The draft was presented early in 2006 and according to it, 185 inmates would be released and terms of about 5,600 prisoners would be shortened. Kabar, 24.kg, RIA Novosti

39. On 11 January, Colonel Joel Reese, commander of the US Manas Air Base, met with Marina Ivanova, a widow of Alexander Ivanov, shot and killed at the base on 6 December. He conveyed his condolences to her and informed her of the procedures for filing a claim to the US government to receive compensation. US Embassy, Kabar, 24.kg

40. On 11 January, lightweight boxer Almaz Raiymkulov from Kyrgyzstan defended his title of the NABF champion defeating Emanuel Augustus in Philadelphia. Originally, Raiymkulov was scheduled to meet Colombian Antonio Pitalua, who fights out of Mexico City, but the latter was not able to secure a visa to the States. Kabar, Brownsville Herald

41. On 12 January, Renat Medetbekov, head of the Medetbekov Firm of Attorneys, said that according to the incumbent constitution, the president has no right to dissolve the parliament because a political party, which wins the elections, must form such a parliament. 24.kg

42. On 12 January, Co-Chairman of the Party of Union of Democratic Forces Bakyt Beshimov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that the Kyrgyz leadership chose a way of confrontation instead of seeking for compromises, like constitution for constitution, and if the president signs the last constitution he himself would became a single looser. BPC

43. On 12 January, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said when visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that one of the main gains in the foreign policy of Kyrgyzstan in 2006 was the supply from China with 1,205 tractors worth $12 million. The other important achievements were the receiving from Russia a Tupolev-154 given on the initiative of President Vladimir Putin and four helicopters Mi-8 and Mi-24. 24.kg, President

44. On 12 January, Speaker Marat Sultanov visited the parliament for five minutes and said President Kurmanbek Bakiyev would sign into effect the new constitution on Monday, 15 January, and the parliament would discuss after it an issue of forming a new government. Sultanov held consultations with the president and the prime minister those days. 24.kg

45. On 12 January, Edil Baisalov said in an interview with the 24.kg agency that it is not necessary to dramatize situation in the country due to adoption of a new constitution because it does not cancel achievements of the November events. 24.kg

46. On 12 January, Muratbek Imanaliyev wrote on the site of the Institute for Public Policy that taking into consideration the experience of the East Asian states, there are several very topical issues for Central Asian countries, in frames of the 'state-society-person' triad: to work out a concept of self identification models of development (political, ethnic, public and other elements); to formulate position on reformation of 'national economies' to market economies; to form new cultures (physical, behavioral, adherence to the rule of law, interaction and cohabitation of various nations and confessions, patriotism). IPP

47. On 12 January, Russian "Moskovsky Komsomolets" reported about the new novel When the Mounts Fall by Tchingiz Aitmatov that its style lulls to sleep and the subjects are always after the predicates in every sentence while the words business and showman are abusive language for the author. MK

48. On 12 January, 23 Kyrgyz citizens were killed in a road accident on the border between the Emirates and Saudi Arabia, 20 more injured were hospitalized. They participated in Islamic hajj pilgrimage, which ended on 2 January and were returning home. PR, AP, IHT, РИА Новости

49. On 12 January, Minister of Agriculture Azimbek Isabekov said the livestock increases in Kyrgyzstan for the first time in recent years - number of cattle raised by 4,000 in 2006 compared to 2005 and small livestock by 100,000. Kabar

50. Appointments and dismissals: On 12 January, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev appointed Rahmatulla Eraliev new commissioner of the National Agency to Prevent Corruption replacing Kurmanbek Joroev. President, Kabar

Naryn Aiyp.
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Kyrgyz Weekly - English Edition, 1-6 Jan 2007

2007-01-06T20:45:04Z

KYRGYZ WEEKLY: 1- 6 JANUARY 2007
________________________________________
Review of the week main events in Kyrgyzstan

1. From 'Londonistan' till 'Trashcanistan'.
2. The main event of the year in Kyrgyzstan was the anniversary of the revolution - 'Regnum'.
3. President Bakiyev could be pushed to resign.
4. China begins dominating in Kyrgyzstan.
5. Also in the week of 1- 6 January 2007...

1 January, Monday:

1. FROM 'LONDONISTAN' TILL 'TRASHCANISTAN'. William Safire reported in "The International Herald Tribune" on 1 January on results of his study on origin and surge of new words in English, especially, the term 'stan', which is used either as a noun or as a suffix. According to him, the suffix stans in the form of a noun - rooted in the Persian for "home of" - was first "used by critics of South Africa's proposed black African homelands in 1949; they had nicknamed the impoverished areas bantustans after the Bantu language spoken by the tribes". Then Mohammed Zia ul-Haq, then the military dictator of Pakistan, said in 1982 about the Central Asian republics of the USSR, "Sometimes I get confused with all these stans".

That pejorative use of the suffix stan to describe a place largely populated by Muslims - in 1990, Islamistan - was applied by Time magazine to the city of London in 2001: "So many volunteers to the bin Laden cause use the British capital as a base between visits to Afghan camps that French antiterrorist officials now call the city 'Londonistan'…. At the turn of the new millennium, attention was called to newly independent states on the fringe of the former Soviet Union - Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan - which the BBC identified as 'collectively known as the Central Asian 'stans'.' They were derogated by Stephen Kotkin in The New Republic in 2002 as 'a dreadful checkerboard of parasitic states and statelets, government-led extortion rackets and gangs in power, mass refugee camps and shadow economies. Welcome to Trashcanistan'." And now, spokesman for the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Washington called a country, which was concocted by the obnoxious character Borat in the film titled "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, as the "country of Boratastan - a country of one!" IHT

3 January, Wednesday:

2. THE MAIN EVENT OF THE YEAR IN KYRGYZSTAN WAS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE REVOLUTION - 'REGNUM'. The Russian agency Regnum, led by department head in the Russian presidential administration Modest Kolerov until recently, published on 3 January a rating of the 2006 events in Kyrgyzstan. According to the agency, the main event of the year was the first anniversary of the Tulip Revolution, and the others are the following: 2. Adoption of the new constitution on 30 December; 3. Preservation of an official status of Russian in the constitution; 4. Resignation of the government on 19 December; 5. Intention of Russia to write off the Kyrgyz debt; 6. Bargain between Bishkek and Washington around the Manas airbase; 7. The officials visit by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to Moscow on 24-25 April; 8. Murder of criminal boss Ryspek Akmatbayev in Bishkek on 20 May; 9. An alleged secret visit by Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky to Kyrgyzstan; 10. Detention of Kyrgyz Parliamentarian Omurbek Tekebayev in the Warsaw airport on 5 September an the followed scandal. Regnum

4 January, Thursday:

3. PRESIDENT BAKIYEV COULD BE PUSHED TO RESIGN. Erica Marat wrote in an article posted on the site Eurasian Daily Monitor on 4 January, "If the president genuinely had wanted to avoid the escalation of political tensions, he could have tried to prevent government's resignation", and now, in a case of early parliamentary elections, "Kulov's Ar-Namys party, in particular, will mobilize. As one Ar-Namys member told Jamestown, Kulov might run for president in the next elections, and he has all necessary resources to win. Since Bakiyev's domestic popularity is extremely low, there is some leeway for the new parliament to regain powers should new elections take place". In addition to it, "even with the most recent constitution, it is unlikely that Bakiyev will be able to fully recapture all of his powers, because he faces strong resistance in the government, parliament, and civil society for his unpopular policies and corruption. Quite possibly, he will be pushed to resign before his term expires in 2010". EDM

4. CHINA BEGINS DOMINATING IN KYRGYZSTAN. Daniel Sershen wrote in an article carried by "The Christian Science Monitor" on 4 January, "As China's influence worldwide keeps pace with its economic development and thirst for resources, its neighbors such as Kyrgyzstan are increasingly drawn into a new orbit: Beijing's…. Chinese sales to the republic spiked 60 percent between 2004 and 2005. And in the first 10 months of last year, China's exports to Kyrgyzstan totaled $1.6 billion - a jump of more than 150 percent over the same period in 2005". It worries some people, because "with limited fossil fuels buried under its mountains, Kyrgyzstan has less control over its own fate". Former Kyrgyz ambassador to China Erlan Abdyldayev says, "From a political point of view, unfortunately, our leadership cannot admit that China is taking the lead. Today, we [Kyrgyz] always hear that our main trading partner is Russia, [but] neither Russian, say, nor Turkish, nor Western companies, for various commercial reasons, can compete with China."

Sean Roberts, the Central Asian Affairs Fellow at Georgetown University in Washington, says that for the Kyrgyz - who, like their neighbors, have to be worried about coming under the economic control of any one of the major powers active in the region - the size and economic might of China do represent some threat to their country's sovereignty, "I wouldn't myself say that this is part of China's goals, but one of the things that people in Central Asia fear is that there might be some interest [by China] in moving into Central Asia territorially." However, former Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Muratbek Imanaliyev dismisses fears of Chinese domination, "There is no difference between Chinese investment and Kazakh, European, or American investment". According to him, the Kyrgyz should take advantage of China's economic presence rather than speculating about its motives. CSM

ALSO IN THE WEEK OF 1- 6 JANUARY 2007:

5. On 31 December, Deutsche Welle reported the Kyrgyz parliament agreed on 30 December to give the president more authorities by adopting a new constitution because he came to parliament and threatened he would hold an urgent meeting of the Security Council, which would decide the fate of the parliament. Many said they were against but voted for to keep stability in the country. DW

6. On 31 December, the Russian site Forum reported, "it seemed" the USA intends interacting with the radical Islamist forces in Central Asia and the area of cooperation would be Kyrgyzstan where no strong centralized government is. "According to some data", the site reported, rebels of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan contacted with the Americans and Britons in Afghanistan to send some rebels to Southern Kyrgyzstan if the situation in Kyrgyzstan would be destabilized enough. Forum

7. On 31 December, about 50,000 people took part in praying to mark one of the main Islamic holidays Kurman-Ait (Eid Al Adha) on the Old Square of Bishkek. Azattyk

8. On 31 December, the Mir TV Channel reported Astrologer Otto Weisskopf compares the CIS to the Solar system, were Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan or Georgia are planets and they revolve around Russia, which is the Sun. Mir

9. On 2 January, the US "Air Force Magazine" reported, "Kyrgyzstan is pressuring the US for compensation, charging that the crew of an Air Force tanker was responsible for a September collision with a Kyrgyz passenger airliner at the country’s Manas Airport". "Flight International" reported the same day, "A US military accident investigation board (AIB) under the auspices of the US Air Force's Air Mobility Command has determined that a Kyrgyz controller at Manas airport in Bishkek was 'primarily at fault' when a Tu-154 struck a Boeing KC-135 tanker at the airport on the night of 26 September". Air Force Magazine, Flight International

10. On 3 January, "l'Humanite" reported the 'Tulip Revolution' of 2005 in Kyrgyzstan toppled President AskarAkayev but did not lead the country to desired democratic changes. Mafia filled the political scene up, destroying the political institutions and leading to an economic slump& More than a year gone after the revolution but President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has not yet formed a government. L'Humanite, InoPressa

11. On 3 January, coordinator of the Prespektiva analytical center in Bishkek Sergei Masaulov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club on a new constitution adopted on 30 December that the president and the premier use the parliament in a struggle between them. According to him, the new authorities given the president by a new constitution were the authorities given the premier by the previous one in November. BPC

12. On 3 January, the CIS Statistical Committee predicted the GDP growth would be around 7 percent in the CIS in average, while the Azeri GDP would grow by 30 percent against 34 percent in 2006 and it would rise by 6 percent in Kyrgyzstan (2.8 in 2006). Regnum

13. On 3 January, Israel said Ehud Gol would remain being a non-resident envoy to Kyrgyzstan; he is responsible for relations with Armenia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan too. Jewish Telegraphic Agency

14. On 3 January, the site Gold Seek reported, "Kyrgyzstan's gold production fell 35.9 percent in the January-November timeframe to 9.048 tons or 17.9 percent less then planned". Gold Seek, Interfax

15. On 3 January, UNICEF reported that the 'Magic Journey' cartoon, the first animated series produced in Kyrgyzstan in 20 years, was based on books that were developed by UNICEF two years ago. UNICEF

16. On 3 January, the Russian radio station Ekho Moskvy reported about Taigans, the Kyrgyz greyhounds, saying one Taigan is able to hunt down a wolf and they are very maneuverable and could change the course immediately during a full lope. Ekho Moskvy

17. On 4 January Vice President of the Vostok Intellectual Center Valentin Bogatyryov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that early parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan would be held in the fall of 2007, enough strong political parties would be formed in the country by that time and a new parliament would be more opposition than incumbent one. BPC

18. On 4 January, Edil Baisalov said in an interview with Deutsche Welle that adoption of the new constitution on 30 December was a full bankruptcy of the parliament, however, if some parliamentarians thought they could keep their seats by it, they acknowledged their failure and imperfection. And now, an early parliamentary election would be put on the agenda. DW

19. On 4 January, Director of the Center of Legal and Political Research Tamerlan Ibraimov wrote in an article posted on the site of the Institute for Public Policy that main issue of the forthcoming new parliamentary elections would be whether "the entire country be one constituency, or there will be several single-mandate constituencies". IPP

20. On 4 January, Russian Analyst Boris Kagarlitsky wrote in an article posted on the site Vzglyad that the year 2006 dissatisfied people who expected new color revolutions being excited by the events in Ukraine or Kyrgyzstan, but made gain for political technologists who asked more money from the Kremlin to save Russia. Vzglyad

21. On 4 January, Stephen Blank, professor at the US Army War College, wrote in an article posted on the New York-based EurasiaNet site, "The leaders of some Central Asian states, especially Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, may feel that they have no choice but to go along with Moscow’s plan in order to retain Russia's strategic support. Otherwise, their ability to remain in control could be endangered by a variety of internal and external threats, including Islamic radicalism and domestic discontent". EurasiaNet

22. On 4 January, Elmira Nogoibayeva of the Institute for Strategic Studies under the president wrote in an article posted on the site of the Institute for Public Policy that during the last period of former President Askar Akayev's ruling in Kyrgyzstan, political and economic resources were almost identical and their coalescence only gave a ground for any business in the country. IPP

23. On 4 January, "The Economist" reported, "China recently spent about $7.7m to build an 18km stretch of road from the Chinese border towards Osh. But its gorgeous smooth surface suddenly gives way to a dilapidated, pot-holed obstacle course for the rest of the journey. China has offered to complete the road, but only in return for a stake in Kyrgyzstan's gold industry". Economist

24. On 5 January, Spokesman for the Prosecutor General Office Toktogul Kakchekeev said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that the former Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and his administration gave the US militaries in Kyrgyzstan too much rights and they could possess weapon on the Kyrgyz territory 'as occupation forces', remaining under the US laws. Also, according to Kakchekeev, Akayev and former head of his administration Kasymov are hiding in Russia now and Moscow does not extradite them in spite of there are agreements on cooperation and eternal friendship between the two countries. BPC

25. On 5 January, OpEdNews, PA, reported, "Five central Asian nations - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan - signed a treaty foreswearing nuclear weapons anywhere on their considerable territory in September, further upsetting the Bush Administration which hoped to reserve the option of siting a few nukes there". OpEdNews

26. On 5 January, the Statistics Committee said foreign direct investment in the economy of Kyrgyzstan grew 40 percent year-on-year to $189.5 million in January-September 2006. Interfax

27. On 6 January, Arkady Dubnov said in an interview with the Bishkek Press Club that the Bakiyev-Kulov tandem would remain in power in Kyrgyzstan because it secures stability in the country, early parliamentary elections, if are held, would lead to perfection of the political system and Kyrgyzstan deserves having a constitution other then adopted on 8 November. BPC

28. On 6 January, the Russian site Strana reported that only two Central Asian leaders, who came to power after the USSR collapse, left their posts - Askar Akayev, who fled Kyrgyzstan after the Tulip Revolution, and Saparmurad Niyazov of Turkmenistan, who died. Strana

29. On 6 January, Prime Minister Feliks Kulov visited the Kochkor District of the Naryn Province, where am earthquake of 26 December damaged about 6,800 houses. Kabar, Regnum

30. On 6 January, the site Criminal Ukraine wrote about the most notorious murders in the world starting the second half of the 19th century and included in the list the killing of criminal boss Ryspek Akmatbayev in Kyrgyzstan on 10 May 2006. Criminal Ukraine

Naryn Aiyp.
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