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By Daan van der Schriek nessed the revolutionary events in Osh as say- the parliament. This set a bad precedent. In sub~~ ing: "I had an impression that the opposition sequent years, Akayev gave himself more and The Kyrgyz revolution differs dramatically members threw stones at each other." more powers, not to push through reforms, but I from thoseplayed out in Georgia and the This is an important difference from events in to silence criticism. Yet, in the short term, Ukraine. Its lack of leadership hasgiven Georgia and Ukraine: The Kyrgyz revolution reforms didn't bring prosperity. This created dis- way to a moreviolent character lacks leadership and, as a consequence, is more sent, and Akayev became unpopular. violent. Hopefully, however, the opposition will Then, during the. 2000 presidential cam- ETTER not be too softon your opposi- soon agree on a policy and keep its supporters in paign, a credible challenger appeared - Felix tion. This is what the leaders must check. They are th~ authorities now, after state Kulov, a former vice president who had fallen B think whose countries border buildings were stormed and Akayev fled on , which is'in the grips of revolution Thursday. What did Kyrgyzstan, an "island of or, depending on your view, of thugs. Some democracy" in a sea of Central Asian dictatorship, How did this 'island of democra have called the protests sparked by disputed as it was called in the early 19908,do to deserve elections the "", after this? Being more liberal than its neighbours is, of Central Asian dictatorships Georgia's Rose Revolution and Ukraine's paradoxically, part of the answer. This left room fate? The answer lies in a pan Orange Revolution. But opposition leaders for dissent. Thus, it was possible to demonstrate seem unable to agree on a name. Small wonder, against the nepotism and electoral fraud that more liberal than its neighboUJ because the opposition hasn't been able to became increasingly characteristic of Kyrgyzstan- agree on coordination or cooperation, either. which is a pity because everything started so well. Thus it became possible to dem After the authorities were chased out of sev- When Kyrgyzstan became independent at and electoral fraud that increal eral towns in southern Kyrgyzstan, one opposi- the end of 1991, it was the only country in tion leader, former Foreign Minister Roza Central Asia led by a liberal and not by a former Otunbayeva, ruled out any talks with President party boss. Akayev introduced multi-party out with the president.Akayevdidn'i take any . Another leader, former prime democracy, started privatisation and planned risks. He first made sure Kulov couldn't register ~ minister Kurmanbek Bakiyev, said talks would economic reforms supported by the as a candidate and later had him jailed on n be possible if Akayev attended. Finally, opposi- International MOD"'uy Fund. But while charges of "abuse of power". il tion leader No 3, Omurbek Tekerbayev, said he Kyrgyzstan's first parliament might have been Kyrgyzstan became more and more like its aJ wanted Akayev to remain president until his representative, it also was chaotic, independent- intolerant neighbours. Under Akayev's regime, !J term ended this October. Rank-and-file opposi- minded and made reform difficult. And after the the presidential family gained not only political, II tion members also seem to disagree. Radi9 Free presidential election of 1995, a referendum was but also enormous economic power. Doing big tu Europe reported a Kyrgyz journalist who wit- held to strengthen the presidency at the cost of business .became impossible without the blessing B - ~a"I1"': J._.J- - t ~ "'~ (l' ion of clashingcolours- ~ of the family. Manybusinessmenwereunhappy much poorer than the north, which receives in at least 71 of the districts were valid. This about this and are unlikely to support him, unless most investment. In addition, three years ago didn't satisfy the opposition. But Akayev still they think the alternative is worse. Luckily for there was a bloody incident that has never prop- thought he could win. The opposition, after all, Akayev, a stone-throwingmob might be just that. erly been resolved and now seems to be playing was divided. A majority of the population even Apart from businessmen and many ordinary a role in the revolt. then would have been glad to see Akayev go, people who are unhappy with the low living In January 2002, parliamentary deputy it was unclear whether the opposition would standards, widespread corruption and nepotism, Azimbek Beknazarov was arrested,like Kulov, on offer an alternative acceptable to the north and a third group is unhappy, namely the south, charges of abuse of power. But it is believed he the business community. where most of the revolution is taking place. was actually arrested for vehemently opposing an Not wanting to ~k his future, Akayev over- Akayev-supported treaty with China demarcating played his hand. He had promised to step down the border and handing over large tracts of unin- in October, as required by the constitution. With racy' that stayed afloat in a sea habited territory.People in Beknazarov's southern his less-than-clean conscience, he wanted constituency of Ak-Sui demonstrated against his immunity afterward, which even the outspoken ISin the early 1990s meet this arrest and blocked roads. In the end, Beknazarov Otunbayeva promised him. But the new parlia- aradox. That Kyrgyzstan was was released, but not beforea dozen protesters had ment majority would have allowed Akayev to died in a clash with police. This was the flfSrtime do whatever he wanted, be it change the consti- mrs created room for dissent. a protest in Kyrgyzstan had turned deadly, and the tution or appoint a reliable successor like his government promised reforms. But the only daughter Bermet Akayeva. And until Thursday, monstrate against the nepotism "reform" that occurred was a referendum he seemed convinced he would defeat the divid- easingly engulfed the country strengthening the presidency again and replacing ed opposition. Kemeshbek Dushebayev, the new the party list system with a single-member district interior minister appointed on Wednesday, said system for parliamentary elections. , the government might use force to restore order. Northern Kyrgyzstan borders the steppes of The new voting system. weakened parties. Previously, Akayev had ruled this out. . Kazakhstan and is secular, Europeanised and as The opposition won just 6 out of 75 seats in the But in a few hours on Thursday, when per- much Russian- as Kyrgyz-speaking. The south recent elections, which it claims was due to haps protesters looted government buildings in includes the Fergana Valley, is more religious fraud. International observers agree. Anger , his fate was sealed - a sorry end for and has a large U.zbekminority. Communication about the official results brought tensions in the Kyrgyzstan's onetime democratic reformer. between the two regions, which are separated by south to the fore again. Now the opposition has to show it can do better. high mountains, is difficult in winier. This cul- On Monday, Akayev announced a com- Kulov, now released from prison, may bring tural divide wouldn't necessarily be a problem. mission would review the results. On Tuesday, unity to the clashing cdlours of Kyrgyz revolu- But the south is politically underrepresented and the commissionannouncedthat the outcome tion.COURTESY..THE MOSCOW TIMES