Latest Articles about Kyrgyzstan
OPPOSITION CELEBRATES AS NEW CONSTITUTION ADOPTED IN KYRGYZSTAN
On November 8 the Kyrgyz opposition bloc “For Reforms” finally managed to broker a compromise between the parliament and President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to endorse a new constitution that considerably empowers the legislative branch and strips the president of key prerogatives. Despite earlier outbreaks of violence... MORE
MOSCOW HOPES CRISIS WILL DRIVE BAKIYEV BACK INTO RUSSIAN CAMP
The political and constitutional crisis in Kyrgyzstan is undermining the rule of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Prime Minister Felix Kulov, who came to power last year as the result of the “Tulip Revolution” in March 2005, which ousted former president Askar Akayev (see EDM, November... MORE
BAKIYEV WALKS IN AKAYEV’S SHOES AS OPPOSITION WANTS TO REPLAY TULIP REVOLUTION
On November 2 the opposition bloc “For Reforms” staged mass anti-government demonstrations in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. The protests continued throughout the weekend. Under mounting pressure, Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev submitted a package of constitutional reforms to parliament yesterday, November 6. The parliament convened an... MORE
KYRGYZSTAN POISED FOR NEW POLITICAL TUMULT AS OPPOSITION PRESSES BAKIYEV
Kyrgyzstan’s For Reforms opposition bloc is convening a large-scale demonstration in the capital city, Bishkek, today, November 2, to demand fundamental changes in the work of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his government. The gathering might be as massive as those on April 29 and May... MORE
MOSCOW BEEFS UP SECURITY TIES WITH KYRGYZSTAN
Russia has moved to boost security ties with Kyrgyzstan in a perceived bid to guarantee the loyalty of the Central Asian state, once considered to be among Moscow's most trusted allies in that strategically important region. Russia and Kyrgyzstan held joint anti-terrorism exercises October 2-5... MORE
KYRGYZ INTELLIGENCE SERVICE DETECTS SHIFT IN HIZB-UT-TAHRIR TACTICS
The political instability that has become a feature of the Kyrgyz political landscape since the March 2005 color revolution has created a window of opportunity for Islamic radicals to increase their activities and possibly inspire terrorist attacks inside the country. Such views, often expounded by... MORE
KYRGYZSTAN’S ENERGY SECTOR LOSES INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES DUE TO CORRUPTION
When Kyrgyzstan became independent in 1991, the energy sector signified a rare hope for the country’s future economic development. Today, Kyrgyzstan’s hydro-energy sector represents a significant part of the country’s economy. It also remains a significant source of corruption. After the March 24 Tulip Revolution... MORE
TOP KYRGYZ OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF PLOTTING AGAINST OPPOSITION LEADER
A fresh scandal broke out in Kyrgyzstan when Omurbek Tekebayev, a member of the Kyrgyz parliament and a leader of the opposition movement For Reforms, was arrested at the Warsaw airport on September 6 for allegedly smuggling 500 grams of heroin. Polish authorities soon released... MORE
KYRGYZ LAW ENFORCEMENT CRACKS DOWN ON HIZB-UT-TAHRIR
During the past week several individuals were detained by Kyrgyz law-enforcement agencies for distributing religious-ideological leaflets. According to recent reports, the number of detained people linked to radical group Hizb-ut-Tahrir has intensified in Kyrgyzstan’s northern cities, including the capital Bishkek (24.kg, August 14). Small groups... MORE
BOUCHER VISIT TO BISHKEK REVEALS WIDENING GAP IN U.S.-KYRGYZ RELATIONS
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, constrained in his relations with the West owing to pressures from Russia and China, wants to reshape the perception of Bishkek’s role in Central Asia. Eschewing the perception that his country is becoming the focal point for the conflicting interests of... MORE