Latest Articles about Kyrgyzstan
AS BAKIYEV LOOSES SUPPORT, KULOV GAINS POPULARITY
A series of contradictory statements about international politics, delayed responses to domestic crises, and awkward jokes about his own political views have visibly harmed Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his political image at home. However, amid growing disappointment with Bakiyev, Prime Minister Felix Kulov is... MORE
BISHKEK WEIGHS BENEFITS OF U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE
The Kyrgyz government, keen to promote its own financial interests in the continued American military presence in Kyrgyzstan, has strongly pressed for greater revenue from Washington. This not only reflects the strategic value of the Manas air base, but also its increased importance since Tashkent... MORE
BAKIYEV-KULOV POLITICAL UNION ENDANGERED BY CRIMINALS
October's showdowns between various political forces in Kyrgyzstan's government and parliament, as well as between criminals and businessmen, have challenged the credibility of the political union between President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Prime Minister Felix Kulov. Rysbek Akmatbayev, the older brother of assassinated parliamentarian Tynychbek Akmatbayev... MORE
AFTER THE TULIP REVOLUTION: ARE SINO-KYRGYZ RELATIONS STILL “ALIVE AND KICKING?”
On the sidelines of the October 26 Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Moscow, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and Kyrgyz Prime Minister Felix Kulov met to discuss bilateral ties. Wen confirmed that Beijing would back the new regime in Bishkek and expressed his hopes that... MORE
ASSASSINATION OF KYRGYZ LAWMAKER REVEALS LINKS BETWEEN POLITICS AND CRIME
On October 20, Kyrgyz parliamentarian Tynychbek Akmatbayev died following a prison riot in the 31st penal colony located 20 kilometers away from the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. He is the third lawmaker to be assassinated since the March 24 Tulip Revolution. Like the other two victims,... MORE
WILL RE-PRIVATIZATION OF KYRGYZ MEDIA QUIET OPPOSITION VOICES?
On October 15, KOORT (Kyrgyz public radio and television) was re-privatized as a result of a legal investigation of the previous management on corruption charges. This news came shortly after the highly popular newspaper, Vecherny Bishkek, was returned to its previous owner, Alexander Kim, under... MORE
KYRGYZ, UZBEK LEADERS CHOOSE COLD PEACE OVER OPEN CONFRONTATION
On October 6 Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Uzbek President Islam Karimov held a bilateral meeting to discuss future cooperation. The meeting took place during Central Asian Cooperation Organization summit in St. Petersburg. This is the first face-to-face meeting between the two presidents following several... MORE
KYRGYZ PARLIAMENT REJECTS FEMALE CABINET NOMINEES, INCLUDING OTUNBAYEVA
On September 30, the Kyrgyz parliament completed the appointment process all 16 cabinet ministers and key members of the new government. The selection process took two rounds, because six of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's candidates were rejected in the first round. Roza Otunbayeva, the primary force... MORE
ERKINBAYEV’S ASSASSINATION PROVOKES CONTROVERSY IN KYRGYZSTAN
On September 21, Bayaman Erkinbayev, a member of the Kyrgyz parliament with alleged ties to criminal groups, was shot dead in central Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital. His murder is the third political assassination in Kyrgyzstan since the March 24 Tulip Revolution. The National Security Service... MORE
RUSSIA OFFERS “QUALITY” MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO KYRGYZSTAN
As part of an effort to cement Moscow's relations with newly elected Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov has offered a significant increase in the quality of bilateral military assistance Russia's affords to the country. Ivanov's comments were made ahead of his... MORE