Kirgisistan
OSCE Chief highlights ethnic tensions (28.03.2006)
(Quelle: RFE / RL) Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, the current chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), has called on Kyrgyzstan to do more to ease ethnic tensions in the country. De Gucht said that, 'although progress has been achieved in certain areas, many challenges remain, first of all the interethnic tensions in the north and in the south. They most probably necessitate a comprehensive action plan for national minorities' integration.'
Hardball politics with no winners (20.02.2006)
(Quelle: RFE/RL) In recent weeks the strains within the ruling elite have increased to a level suggestive of systemic crisis. The latest upswing in political tension took the form of public statements by Prime Minister Feliks Kulov, President Kurmanbek Bakiev, and parliamentary speaker Omurbek Tekebaev. They articulated mutually opposed visions of what is now happening in Kyrgyzstan, with Kulov cautioning that organized crime is a cancerous growth on the body politic, Bakiev blasting parliament for obstructionism, and Tekebaev personally attacking the president and expressing disappointment in the results of Akaev's ouster.
Tensions ease after ethnic violence in northern Kyrgyzstan (08.02.2006)
(Quelle: RFE/RL) Tensions appear to have eased since several people were injured in northern Kyrgyzstan in clashes between members of the Muslim Chinese Dungan minority and the Kyrgyz population. A crowd of Kyrgyz young people dispersed peacefully in the town of Iskra today after talks that included the governor of Chui region, Turgunbek Kulmyrzaev, Deputy Interior Minister Temirkan Subanov, and representatives of local nongovernmental groups.
Political showdown brews in Kyrgyzstan (27.01.2006)
(Quelle: Eurasianet.org) A political showdown is brewing in Kyrygzstan, where parliament and Prime Minister Feliks Kulov are pressing for an overhaul of the National Security Service, contending that the agency is obstructing efforts to contain rampant crime. Kyrgyzstan is at risk of becoming a failed state unless President Kurmanbek Bakiyev takes immediate steps to address governmental dysfunction, some MPs warned.
Poll on Kyrgyz political system (21.12.2005)
(Quelle: BBC) Kyrgyzstan is to hold a referendum next year to ask people if they want a different government system, President Kurmanbek Bakiev has said. People will be asked if they want power to be held predominantly by the president or the parliament, or to be shared between the two. Mr Bakiev pledged to give more power to the parliament when he was elected president in July.
Up to 20 dead in prison riots (02.11.2005)
(Quelle: ISN Security Watch) Unrest in prisons across Kyrgyzstan has left as many as 20 people dead as riots threw the small Central Asian country, still reeling from post-revolutionary disorder, into further disarray. The unrest started on Tuesday in a high-security prison in Moldovanovka, some 20 kilometers from the capital Bishkek. The prison had been out of control since 20 October, when parliamentarian Tynychbek Akmatbaev was killed under unclear circumstances during a visit to the facility’s hospital. Guards were withdrawn from the prison following the death of Akmatbaev and two of his aides, and were redeployed outside the penal colony.
Kyrgyzstan draws breath after political stand-off (30.10.2005)
(Quelle: IWPR) The prime minister survives an attempt to unseat him, but observers say this may not be the end of a power-struggle in which the rule of law is at stake. A looming political crisis in Kyrgyzstan was defused this week as demonstrators calling for the prime minister’s resignation halted their protest in the capital Bishkek. Counter-demonstrations across the country voiced support for Prime Minister Felix Kulov and warned that the campaign to unseat him represented a bid by the Kyrgyz mafia to assert political control of the country.
Bakiev presidential inauguration raises hopes (16.08.2005)
(Quelle: IWPR) New president faces many serious challenges, but there’s hope he’ll improve political accountability and economic fortunes. Kurmanbek Bakiev was formally inaugurated as Kyrgyzstan’s new president elect at a ceremony in central Bishkek’s Alatoo Square on August 14, marking the start of a new era for the country. Bakiev, who became acting president and prime minister after former strongman Askar Akaev fell from power amid public unrest in March, won a landslide victory in elections last month.
Elections largely clean, observers say (12.07.2005)
(Quelle: Washington Post) International monitors on Monday offered encouraging assessments of Kyrgyzstan's presidential election, despite what the monitors called an obvious effort to inflate voter turnout figures in the first balloting since a March street revolt sent the last president into exile. Official results for the voting Sunday showed acting President Kurmanbek Bakiyev collecting 88 percent of the vote to remain in the office he has occupied since March 24, when President Askar Akayev abruptly fled protests after a 15-year rule.
OSCE election charter “patronising” (17.06.2005)
(Quelle: IWPR) Four of the seven candidates set to run for Kyrgyzstan’s presidency next month have refused to sign a “gentlemanly agreement” drafted by the OSCE, laying out the proper way to behave during an election. It had been argued that this kind of “morally binding” document would boost public confidence in the election process, which officially got underway on June 14 with the announcement of the names of the seven candidates approved to take part. But those who refused to sign up to the OSCE project argued that it was not just redundant, but also patronising.
Kyrgyz forces break up protests (17.06.2005)
(Quelle: BBC) Police in Kyrgyzstan have used tear gas in the capital, Bishkek, to disperse hundreds of protesters who had occupied part of the main government building. At least 20 people are said to have been hurt in the unrest, which saw protesters driven into side streets. The demonstrators support a candidate barred from July's presidential poll, but the acting leader has blamed the unrest on followers of his predecessor. Kyrgyzstan has seen continuing tension since the former leader fled in March.
Lawlessness grows as Presidential election looms (13.06.2005)
(Quelle: Eurasianet) Lawlessness and political confusion are building in Kyrgyzstan as the Central Asian nation prepares for a special presidential election. In the latest spasm of violence, a riot in the southern city of Osh left at least two people injured on June 13. … The Osh riot is just one of several incidents with possible political overtones in recent days. On June 11, thugs attacked the campaign offices of interim president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who is widely expected to win the special election on July 10.
Protesters clash at Kyrgyz court (01.06.2005)
(Quelle: BBC) Hundreds of people have forced their way into the Supreme Court building in Kyrgyzstan and ejected protesters who had held it for more than a month. The protesters had occupied the building in support of candidates who lost parliamentary elections in April. The court has not been conducting business since protesters took over the building a month and a half ago. The Supreme Court played a key role in events that forced ex-President Askar Akayev to flee the country in March.
OSCE opens election observation mission (30.05.2005)
(Quelle: RFE / RL) The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) announced in a press release on the organization's web site (http://www.osce.org) on 26 May that its election observation mission for the 10 July presidential election in Kyrgyzstan has begun its work. The mission consists of 15 Bishkek-based experts and 21 long-term observers in the regions; an additional 300 short-term observers will arrive shortly before the election.
Deutschland unterstützt Demokratisierungsprozess (25.05.2005)
(Quelle: DW Fokus Ost-Südost) Die Bundesregierung gewährt Kirgisistan finanzielle Hilfe für die Durchführung der Präsidentschaftswahlen. Zugleich sollen in dem zentralasiatischen Land Projekte mit bis zu 20 Millionen Euro gefördert werden. … Im Rahmen der OSZE-Wahlbeobachtermission für die Präsidentschaftswahlen werden etwas 50 Beobachter aus Deutschland kommen.
Camp established as refugees flee Uzbek violence (16.05.2005)
(Quelle: Irinnews) The United Nations in Kyrgyzstan has launched an assessment mission to the south of the country and the goverment has opened a refugee camp, after more than 1,000 Uzbeks crossed into the country following three days of violence in eastern Uzbekistan. Human rights groups in Uzbekistan estimate the clashes left 600 people dead.
Kyrgyz presidential race narrows (13.05.2005)
(Quelle: BBC) Kyrgyzstan's ex-security chief Felix Kulov has reportedly agreed not to stand as president in July elections. … He and acting President Kurmanbek Bakiev had been seen as key contenders to replace the ousted leader in the summer elections. But sources in Bishkek say Mr Kulov is now willing to serve as prime minister if Mr Bakiev becomes president.
Kyrgyzstan after the revolution (04.05.2005)
(Quelle: International Criris Group) The ousting of President Askar Akaev in March, ending his increasingly authoritarian fourteen-year rule, was a major step, but as Kyrgyzstan heads toward July presidential elections, the risk of instability remains high. New leaders need to undertake serious reform to redress imbalances created by Akaev's centralisation of power and weak state institutions. They must also confront a looming economic crisis, a wave of land seizures, criminal groups that pose a growing security risk, and, ultimately, the north-south split. The first priority is re-establishing control throughout the country and holding free and fair elections.
OSCE pledges support for presidential poll (15.04.2005)
(Quelle: Irinnews) Europe's largest security body, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), is going to support the interim Kyrgyz authority in holding presidential elections slated for 10 July, following the change of regime in the country. ... The Vienna-based body plans to support aspects of the electoral process in coordination with other international organisations and local civic groups.
Election date decided (11.04.2005)
(Quelle: BBC) Kyrgyzstan will hold presidential elections on 10 July, the country's parliament decided on Monday. It also voted to accept the resignation of ousted President Askar Akayev. One key figure now likely to run is Felix Kulov, who has had corruption charges against him overturned by the Supreme Court.
Kyrgyzstan faces post-Akayev future (04.04.2005)
(Quelle: BBC) The transition of power has been largely peaceful, and the opposition's main leader, Kurmanbek Bakiev, has been appointed as interim president. But there are concerns about the stability of the new government. A rift in the leadership emerged almost immediately after Mr Akayev's departure.
Geflohener Präsident Akajew tritt zurück - Neuwahlen (03.04.2005)
(Quelle: FAZ) Nach dem Machtwechsel in der zentralasiatischen Republik Kirgistan hat der geflohene Präsident Askar Akajew offiziell seinem Rücktritt zugestimmt. Er machte damit den Weg frei für die am 26. Juni geplanten Wahlen in dem zentralasiatischen Land, in dem es kurz vor Ostern zum Umsturz gekommen war.
Kyrgyzstan's new Parliament convenes (30.03.2005)
(Quelle: Washington Post) Kyrgyzstan's new parliament held its first session as the country's undisputed legislature Wednesday, but it was marred by delay and protests, underscoring the country's political disorder since opposition protesters drove out President Askar Akayev last week. The session began a day after Akayev said in an interview from Russia that he would formally resign if given legal protections - the first sign the longtime leader might be willing to yield power. Interim leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev has promised Akayev immunity and security, but the ousted president said he had no confidence in the offer.
Legislators set new date for elections (29.03.2005)
(Quelle: RFE / RL) Kyrgyz parliamentarians today took further steps to erase the remnants of ousted President Askar Akayev's rule as they set 26 June as the date for new presidential polls. Lawmaker Iskhak Masaliev announced the decision to reporters immediately after the voting by members of the outgoing, bicameral Kyrgyz parliament.
Police quell protest in Kyrgyzstan's capital (24.03.2005)
(Quelle: Washington Post) Kyrgyz police violently broke up an anti-government protest in the capital on Wednesday, and the newly appointed security chief told opponents of President Askar Akayev that he was ready to use armed force to crush unrest. Akayev named a top policeman, Keneshbek Dushebayev, to be interior minister to deal with street protests against his rule. Opposition supporters have taken control of two major cities in the south; some people here fear civil war in the Central Asian country.
Kyrgyzstan opposition strong, lacks unity (22.03.2005)
(Quelle: Washington Post) Like the opposition leaders who were the linchpins of uprisings in Ukraine and Georgia, the main figures of the protests gripping Kyrgyzstan demand more democracy and an end to corruption and poverty. But unlike the leaders of the 'Orange' and 'Rose' revolutions in those former Soviet republics, the opposition groups in Kyrgyzstan haven't yet unified. They also haven't been able to carry their demonstrations to the capital.
Election protests continue (16.03.2005)
(Quelle: Irinnews) Opposition protest continued in many parts of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday, expressing popular discontent with Sunday's run-off polls that have resulted in a strong majority for pro-government parties. The opposition accuses authorities of widespread abuses in the elections, in which President Askar Akayev secured an overwhelmingly loyal parliament.
Kyrgyz opposition gains voice (14.03.2005)
(Quelle: BBC) With most of the results in from Kyrgyzstan's second round of elections, it is now clear the new parliament will contain a vocal opposition element. The new assembly will also have greater powers than the old parliament, as this central Asian nation prepares to elect a new president later in the year.
Protests at Kyrgyz vote result (08.03.2005)
(Quelle: ISN) Demonstrators alleging government interference in the parliamentary election have rallied across Kyrgyzstan to demand that the results of the poll be set aside. From north to south, President Askar Akaev is facing calls for early presidential elections and the annulment of the 27 February vote, which the opposition said was unfair and dishonest. … An almost total information blackout means many people in Kyrgyzstan still have little idea of what’s going on. Most websites are blocked, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz service Azattyk is off the air, and state run television channels have been largely silent about the allegations of electoral fraud.
International Observers Differ in Assessments (02.03.2005)
(Quelle: RFE/RL) Asan Kozhakov, head of the CIS observer mission, noted some irregularities but deemed the elections 'transparent, open, and legitimate,' ITAR-TASS reported on 28 February. But Kimmo Kiljunen, who headed the OSCE observer mission, told a news conference in Bishkek on 28 February that the elections, 'while more competitive than previous elections, fell short of OSCE commitments and other international standards in a number of important areas'.