I see my blog is also specified on linking the posts of foreighners, live or came to Kyrgyzstan by travel. For today, I’ve found another interesting post of Lauren and Martin, Peace Corps Volunteers in Bishkek, about “konoks” (quests). They are here from July 2007. In the Kyrgyz Republic, Lauren will be serving as a secondary school English teacher. Martin will be working as a sustainable NGO developer.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Kyrgyz societies is the tradition of konok, or guesting. Konok (gosti in Russian) is the process in which you go over and visit a neighbor. It generally involves tea and a lot of food. Usually, the person hosting offers their best food and sits the guests in the seat of honor, which is usually a raised seat at the end of the table. For Lauren, it is a little similar to the once tradition in Chile, except there is a lot more pressure to eat. Families invite others for konok for special occasions or just to make someone feel welcome in the neighborhood. So far, Lauren and I have gone on konok three times each and they are the times that we feel most welcome within our neighberhood.

I was telling you about the idea of pro-western vector of Kyrgyzstan’s development. Nargiza Yuldasheva, 24.KG reporter who also came to our meeting on creating a Liberal Club in Bishkek, wrote an interesting article “Where to go, whom to join”. You can read it below: Read the rest of this entry »

Time for analyzing the results of the held Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Summit in Bishkek has already come. Most of the people believe that the Summit was organized well and Kyrgyzstan has attained a lot of positive results. Other experts articulate the country, after the SCO summit, has got a negative image for the Western World.

Reading the Western Newspapers I have realized that people there think about the SCO as a strong alternative to the NATO. I also thought and still think so. And today I have been giving an interview for RFE/RL radio in Bishkek on this issue.

There were three persons came to the roundtable [interview with three people]: Adil Turdukulov, Young Politicians Forum’s member, someone from the pro-Government Party of Labor and Unity and the third one was me.

That guy from the party was telling that Kyrgyzstan attracted the attention of a lot of people abroad. And one of the main achievements from the Summit is the publicly announced, by PRC Chairman Hu Jintao, information about building a new road for Train which would unite Kyrgyzstan and China.

Adil’s ideas about the Summit were not clear for me. For instance he commented that It’s held very well and we need closely to colloborate with neighboring countries in the framework of SCO. “We have to refuse from Great Liberal Ideas and give a priority to short-term economic interests”, he added. In fact, that means, i think, the country could turn over the way of Democracy if either China or Russia would suggest any help.

I was telling that SCO reminds me the Warsaw Treaty Group wxisted during the time of Cold War opposed to NATO. So, it seems much more as a Military Block than a real economic cooperation union. Everything, in fact, including the Charter accepted in Bishkek was saying this organization is Anti-Nato, Anti-American.

Another thing I mentioned was about the Taiwan Issue, what about I was telling you last time. I had informed you that Kyrgyzstan has recognized Taiwan as inseparable part of China. It has happened after Uzbekistan has done the same supporting Beijing centred One-China Policy of the PRC. I think this is one of the signals Kyrgyzstan did to West, saying “we give more priority to China and Russia than you…”.

I also commented the argument of some guys about positive results of holding the Summit. I was opposing to this thesis as I see the country couldn’t even lobby it’s own ideas, as Hydro-Energy Cooperation. There is supported another idea of creating Energy Club under the SCO, which covers just oil and gas what Kyrgyzstan does not have. This means that Kyrgyzstan and tajikistan, both are rich of hyrdo-energy potential, are too week to lobby their own visions at the Great Shanghai Organization.

Just sitting in the computer-room of the Kyrgyz Service of the Radio of Liberty in Bishkek, as I was invited for their round-table on SCO summit results. So, everyone, who is in Bishkek can listen my speech at this the radio. I cannot remember what the FM is this. But you can also listen the podcasting through their web-site: www.azattyk.kg

Another news, yesterday Ben has suggested to write round-ups from Kyrgyz blogosphere for the Global Voices Online. As my english is not well to be more professional my stuff, he suggested his help on reediting them. So, I’ll write to them as soon as possible, if there is any interesting stuff from the KG Blogosphere :).

Another one is we are in a process of writing a new appeal on SCO summit held in Bishkek. I mean that Youth liberal Platform I take part at. That appeal will not be as support of the summit results or just critics. We’ll say we would not like to turn off the way forward to West and the United States. i think it is relevant for today’s situation as every western authoritative media has called the summit as “anti-western”. I also think it is built to stand against the west and USA, therefore I don’t support the idea of beeing with China, Russia and other Central Asian countirs in a one military block!!!

Yes, one more news. That is I will attend American Courses in Bishkek to improve my English forehead. So, see my English after three months to be more professional. And i hope I can begin writing for Neweurasia too…

Interesting post is written by Neweurasia contributor from Uzbekistan Jamiyat, and points you made we can see in other CA countries, particularly in Tajikistan and the south part of Kyrgyzstan that borders with Uzbekistan and TJ.

I think the one decision of making different the situation is just decreasing the role of the State in business and other spheres of life, excluding citizens security and a little social care. That’s the one only problem-solving mechanism, I think. That’s called as “Laissez Fair”…

Once I had a conversation with an old man in a village near Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He spoke about the Soviet times, about the social welfare system, salaries, and about his years-long money savings in the Soviet Sberbank, which he never got back after the independence, and many other things, which soon got me bored and I did not listen to him anymore.

But there was one thing he told me, which I still remember. He complained that so many people are leaving his village for Russia in spring and summer that there is usually no men in the village to bring the coffin of a deceased person to the cemetery. The elderly can not do that, women are not allowed, so families of the deceased are forced to ask soldiers from a nearby military garrison to help them carry the corpse. “This is a real Hereafter”-he called it then. One can hear similar stories all around the country nowadays…

A lot of Uzbeks (like many other Central Asians) are leaving their homes, families and children for a better payment, opportunity and simply a better life. Some are lucky and successful find a seasonal job with good payment and honest employers. Some are subject to a real slavery, humiliating living and working conditions, bullying of policemen and attacks of neo-fascists….

The first step towards solving a problem is accepting it, but it seems in Uzbekistan it is preferred to close eyes on that or hide it. Instead Uzbeks are promised a great future, just like in the old Soviet times. All know, though, what happened to Communists in the end.

Whole text can be reached at: uzbekistan.neweurasia.net

The last three days Kyrgyz bloggers were active on issue of SCO summit. Some of them provided their readers with beautiful photoes of summit participants, others were discussing these theme quoting to Mainstream Media sources. So, I’ll make round-up for the last three days. i hope it’ll be interesting and useful for you, if yes, just let me know.

morrire has just published photoes from today’s meeting of the Central Asian Countries presidents, and their counterparts from Russia, Cina, Iran and Afghanistan. She has over 25 photoes, which include just everything from today’s event.

azzzik also took part at SCO summit as a reporter. He publishes a photo, where all presidents are sitting, and he’s shot from behind. He says, that before he had the same photo, but with Condolise Rise.

Another Bishkek-based photo-blogger, antipodean_wor, posts a small article with photoes, which says about the “extraordinary security measures in Bishkek”. He writes “Because of the summit our provincial Bishkek has been a subject of extraordinary security measures it has never seen in his 150 -year history. The streets are closed along the routes of the presidential cars… each one is accompanied by two helicopters…”.

zigeunerin_kgz and azzzik, photobloggers and journalists of AkiPRESS News agency, presented a photoreport of Aircrafts, came for participation at SCO summit in Bishkek. There are aircrafts of Presidents of China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongoly, Iran, Afghanistan, Ministers from India and Pakistan.

zigeunerin_kgz and azzzik also presented photoreport of August 14-15 meetings of SCO summit participants. There are photos of delegations from China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongoly, Iran, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Today, zigeunerin_kgz was making news from her office from russian TV RTR. At the another post zigeunerin_kgz says about the problem of translation of the China Leader’s speech. She says because of it noone has quoted him among the Kyrgyz News agencies.

markgrigorian made a report for central_asia LJ community about the preparation of Bishkek to the SCO Summit 2007. In his post he says that Kyrgyzstan has never seen so many Presidents in it’s own territory, and because of it the main International Airport in Bishkek was closed.

A day before the summit, abellans was thinking over a new surprizes.

antipodean_wor reported about the “Traffic deadlock on the streets of Bishkek: the main roads had been periodically closed for both traffic and pedestrians. The reason - there is a summit of 6 presidents (Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tadjikistan)”. He had included some photoes of the street.

The another issue bloggers were interested at was the travel within Kyrgyzstan. For instance, talve went to Naryn and after coming made a beautiful photoreport of the place. antipodean_wor reports about the salty lake near issyk-Kul. somurzakov posts pictures of summer Issyk-Kul. nurba, another Kyrgyzstani blogger, who is currently working in Singapore, is going to the Philippines soon and trying to get a visa for it. he publishes photoes of his pilipino counterparts.
That is all. I’m to have met you once again.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit will be held after 3 days. There are different expectations from this summit. People, who believe in democratic ideas here, are fear lest that this event will be historical, as mentioned Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in his speech.

We also notice there will be a lot of “big” guests, most of them represent authoritative countries, such as Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Iran and etc.

Most of the people are looking for the raising of the issue of the U.S. airbase at the SCO summit. Actually SCO summit imagines the meeting of the anti-american ”big” people. 

The list of participants at SCO Bishkek Summit was published for public several days ago:

President of the Kazakh Republic Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbaev;

President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao;

President of Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin;

President of the Tajik Republic Emomali Rahmon;

President of the Uzbek Republic Islam Abduganievich Karimov;

 

The SCO observing countries are represented by:

President of Mongolia Nambaryn Enkhbayar;

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad;

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Khurshid M. Kasuri;

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of India Pranab Mukherjee;

 

The honorable guests of SCO summit in Bishkek are:

President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai;

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Myalikgulyevich Berdymuhammedov;

Deputy U.N. Secretary General Lynn Pascoe;

About agenda of the summit: The 1st point of the SCO summit agenda is strengthening of further cooperation between the member countries of the Shanhai Cooperation Organization.  The 2nd is opinion exchange on actual world and regional problems. The 3rd point is discussing the present SCO’s chair-country and possible time and place of the Organization’s summit next year. The 4th point is signing the papers.

Probably someone knows that our young (liberals) group is trying to create new: Youth liberal Club and Liberal Platform of Action.

So, last thing which we are discussing at our GoogleGroup is about pro-european vector of the Kyrgyz International Policy. This discussion began after the speech of FRG embassador in Bishkek Klaus Grevlih. He said, “why not to initiate the idea of beeing the 28th member-country of the European Union”.

Actually, I am not sure and this idea seems as impossible for us to join this union. The reason is not only based at our socio-economic condition, there is another key, that is we are not Europe.

I have had some talk to the represantative of EU in Central Asia, who also said, that this seems very unrealistic, as if we can join EU then even the name they had to change: Eurasian Union?.

But the main case of our discussion is based just at “aiming” to become more close to EU countries. We have another alternatives, as Russia, Islamic World, but, both do not warrant me any “happy life”, as if we take Russia then we can move towards of Authoritarianism, if the Islamic World then our society will be far from democratic ideas, as in my view of point, Islam does not respect ideas of Liberty and Choice. There is another big alternative, which one I would support, is United States of America. But this idea is unrealistic as Kyrgyz Society does not support this country so much, and they have more antipathy to them. So, Europe is closer to our ideas… 

Asel, my colleague at Neweurasia, wrote an interesting post called as “Prostitution: Legalize or fight it?“:

Some make an argument for legalizing the prostitution, even though it goes against Islamic rules and eastern mentality. With legalization, they believe, the rights of sex-workers will be protected; they will go through regular medical check and receive any essential treatment in case if they get ill. It would also protect them from physical violence and mistreatment both from those who use their service and militia as well. It is said that militia workers use the services for free any time they want.

Other believe that legalizing is not right, what we need to do is to fight against prostitution. However, fighting means different to militia, it means making money on the growth and spread of such dirty places. So, how do we really fight it? Or do we indeed have to fight it? What could and should the government’s role be in it? It would be interesting to hear what you think about this issue.

My comment: Hey Asel, you took a key issue where traditional and modern view of points in Kyrgyzstan fight with each other. Regretfully, Sex-workers (or, so called “Workers of commercial sex”) have a difficult life, and as you mentioned in your post, their service is used by policemen for free, and they suffer from criminal groups too, as they work illegally.

What I think about this issue is legalizing the prostitution. It is really indeed, and you were writing about here “With legalization, they believe, the rights of sex-workers will be protected; they will go through regular medical check and receive any essential treatment in case if they get ill. It would also protect them from physical violence and mistreatment both from those who use their service and militia as well”.

But another problemathic case is will anyone support this idea from MPs, or, politicians? I fear lest that - not, as our traditional society will understand it differently. And noone want to lose their political dividents.

So, regretfully, I think, we will go for legalizing the prostitution not so soon.

Three days ago I’ve received a letter from Tina, http://imtina.wordpress.com blogger. She has adopted a baby from Tokmok city, near to Bishkek. She was interested in learning traditions, particularly, why mothers give up their babies. She wrote to me:

I am trying to understand the Kyrgyz culture and perhaps understand why my baby’s mother gave her up. Culturally speaking, is it unacceptable to be an unwed mother? Are young women who get pregnant out of wedlock pressured to give up their babies? I’d love your insights, whatever they may be. Part of what we were told was that my baby’s mother in Kyrgyzstan left a false address. Does that mean she most likely never wants to be found?

She updates her blog regularly, as I’ve seen, and already added to her blogroll other weblogs. I thought it would be interesting and useful for her if you could leave a comment about her letter at her blog.

I have already answered her e-mail, and wrote something like this. Are you agreed with my opinion?

Actually it is the thing which i really hate. I hate the tradition, which is against the individual liberty of each people. A girl who is pregnant and still not married can have her baby. But, actually, if she is from village or small town, it is something like a shame for her parents. And especially, if parents do know who is father, then they talk to him, and let their girl get merried. If not, sometimes they can say “get an abortion”, or “Give up your baby”.

The another thing which is also necessery to know is - social-economic status of that girl. If she is not poor, and her parents are agreed to have grandson, then she can have her baby. If not, they have to give up their babies as they cannot take care of them…

What do you think about?

This is a translation of the post by Mirsulzhan, that originally appeared on the Russian version of neweurasia.

On the first day of the protests - participants slept in tents. They didn’t very much participated in the protest action. Today, it was possible to observe some idle participants being active. The quantity of protesters was almost same as it was yesterday and the day before yesterday. However, protesters seemed to understand fairly good requirements of opposition more than they did before. They often shouted “Bakiev ketsin” (Bakiev go away), and actively took part on a today’s marching.

In the afternoon, before the beginning of meeting, there were about 1000 people on the square. Though, to the beginning of the third day of protests, number of protesters increased to approximately 3000.

The opposition has finally come to its senses. The leader of the United Front, For Reforms and many others, gave speeches on a stage, however, today’s “minute of glory” was not so boring as it was yesterday, when anyone, who felt like showing their faces to people, appeared on stage.

Kulov at last has come to the square. However he didn’t give any speeches. Tekebaev, a main “socialist” of Kyrgyzstan, informed people saying that “there were rumors that Kulov and I had been at odds because of positions. Of course, we had discussed this question, but it was in 2000.”

By the way, today opposition accused law enforcement bodies that the latter have arrested more than hundred people from the square, who, probably, now are kept in custody.

Movement towards the Ministry of Internal Affairs, SNB (National Security Service) and the White House made people actively participate in the marching. People marched shouting “Bakiev ketsin, SNB ketsin.”

Thus, “ketsinization” process has taken root into consciousness of protesters, who are ready to shout “Ketsin!” at each word.

This is a translation of the post by Mirsulzhan, that originally appeared on the Russian version of neweurasia.

My teacher on political forecasting believes that “meetings will be finished, as people have not supported Kulov’s team”. You (my teacher) are not forecaster. It seems to me, that meetings will continue and from now on the quantity of people who are protesting in the square will be increased, despite the very hot weather and the fact that opposition failed in the organizational plan of meetings.

In my opinion, the first day of protests, April 11, was a shock as for Kulov, who relied greatly on his authority, and for all members of the United Front and For Reforms. On the square, there is a rumor that Omurbek Tekebaev and Felix Kulov are at odds, as they had accused each other in corruptness. Everyone, including Sariev, Eshimkanov, Baybolov, was nervous, and worked hard in planning how to go further. If meetings will be finished in such way – it will be a great “punch on the stomack” on authority and image of opposition. Moreover, it also can give more confidence to Bakiev in carrying out all his illegitimate actions, a confidence that h lacks at the moment very much. However, hardly any leader of opposition is concerned about this question.

Now, I assume, that the whole team of the United Front work very intensely. That’s why, they did show up in the square. They are actively involving new people in demonstrations and pays fees for participation in meeting. People from regions should today or tomorrow join and increase number of protesters who are already at the square. They have spent millions “green money” ($) only for the organization of this demonstration and they can spend more money to keep the number of people high and invite more participants.

That’s why, it is too early to be happy and make optimistic plans. “That participants will stand a little bit and go away” is unfortunately nonsense. Moreover, opposition has started building of additional new yurtas (Kyrgyz national house) on the square.

This is a translation of Mirsulzhan’s post.

There were only about two or three thousand people on a meeting. The majority came from other cities and did not understand the oppositions’ demands.

One adult man came from the Bakai-atinski district of Talas region. He was dressed in a warm coat, covered with the flags of Ata-Meken party. He explained that “he heard there will be shooting, and wore old clothes so that the new ones do not get dirty”.

The leaders of the opposition are sayong that there were more than 50 thousand people on the square, in fact, there were only two-three thousand.

The opposition has demonstrated its inability to organise big protests. The participants were sleeping in the military tents, complaining that they were not being fed. Though those from Kemin were being fed in the nearby cafe, the rest were given several “lepeshkas” and mineral water. Even this was difficult to get - the protesters got in a fight.

Temir Sariev, the leader of the opposition came to help, the protesters blamed him for not feeding them. It is not known what was Sariev’s answer, but people were dissatisfied. “Only bread and water?”, exclaimed some, “what did they promise?”.

Another problem in the organisation of the protests - the night lodging. There are about 30 tents on the square, and the same amount of the yurts. However, there are few mattresses, and there was another fight for getting them. It is not clear how will the people sleep.

All the participants look tired, sleepy, listen to the speeces without any interest. It confirms that the didn’t pursue an “idea” when they came here.

The central square is full of garbage: bottles, newspapers, other things.

Some of you know, that I am moderator of largest subscribe in Kyrgyzstan [" Svobodnoe Pokolenie "] - birge@yahoogroups.com. Through the subscribe system there is going an interesting discussion, on a theme of actions of opposition.

Discussion has begun from the letter of Emil Juraev (professors of the American University, but in the letter he did not represent anybody and anything except for himself and his opinion). Here a fragment of his letter:

“On November, 2nd, I was on the sqaure [where was going opposition demonstration - MN], was observing the course of demonstration. There were inconsistent feelings inside of me, during all time of stay there. On the one side, I was given more romantic desires of patriotism, belief that it is necessary for us to change this authority to start to live and build in a new fashion. Listening to the ardent, inspired speeches acting, and shutting eyes to their persons, names, and histories, it was easily possible to imagine more good life which waits, more worthy authority which will come in the result of the successful outcome of this protest meeting. On the other side, I feel all reality, the truth what is closer to me; it was not colourful, and even on the contrary very dangerous “, writes Juraev.

He has given the small comments almost for all leaders of Opposition and he added: Read the rest of this entry »

Dear All,

Just see my article in russian on current political situation in the Kyrgyz Republic at asiainform.ru - http://www.asiainform.ru/rusdoc/10217.htm

And the second, I want just inform, that www.lenta.ru (http://www.lenta.ru/news/2006/11/02/bishkek1/) is mistaking in their article, that I am reporting to www.kyrgyzreport.com from Kyrgyzstan.  There is another guy, whose name is Mederbek writes there, not me.

Here is going an interesting discussion on the theme “will the new generation able to do better, build more democratic and developed Kyrgyzstan?’.

Author of www.kyrgyzreport.com is more optimistic to say, that there are a lot of young people from kyrgyzstan, who have studied and still studying abroad. And they can do something better after 10 years for Kyrgyzstan.

Nevertheless, another commentator, Dan Fick says, that it is hard to say. “Many young people in Bishkek are focused on making money and will enter politics only later - after they’ve got enough money to buy protection and be comfortable”.

Describing the current political situation, Dan adds, “The current generation of political leaders - to include both the government and opposition - is incapable of moving the country forward at all. They are, for the most part, greedy and corrupt, and have no desire to move the country towards real democratic and economic reform”.

I was surprised to know, that there is Fan-club of Putin, President of the Russian Federation. Moreover, as I have read, this Friday, on October 27, at 17.00, about 50 activists of club of fans of Putin came on zero kilometer to desire. Their desire - that Vladimir Putin did not leave the country and has remained as the President of the Russian Federation for the third term. After the speech of their leader Igor Briskly, participants one behind another rose on zero kilometer and, having thought of the desire, threw through a shoulder coins … Read the rest of this entry »

Political situation in Kyrgyzstan is beeing worse and worse from time to time because of incompetence of our authorities (President) and opposition members (”For reforms” movement).

On October 21, 2006 there could be a constructive dialogue between these political forces, but the oppositioners decided not to go for the dialogue, as they found one reason - “President had invited other observers for this dialog”. It was a great mistake of the oppoositioners, as because of it they had losen their political dividends among the active part of the Kyrgyz Society… … Read the rest of this entry »

On September 11th near the Government House in Bishkek will be provided a large protest picket, oriented for defending the freedom of speech in the Kyrgyz Republic. Initiators of this protest - the staff of Opposition Movement “For Reforms!” and other political parties, nongovernmental organizations.“Today due to the direct connivance of Kyrgyz authorities, terror concerning the oldest independent broadcasting company of our country - “Pyramid” has untied. There weren’t found and have not incurred the deserved punishment people, who systematically carry out illegal actions concerning a telechannel and its’ employees”, says the opposition movement “For Reforms!” and TV Channel “Pyramid”. Read the rest of this entry »

On September, 28th 2006 the president of the Kyrgyz Republic has sounded his basic (if his) positions in his message on the theme of further development of Kyrgyzstan till 2020. Various forces on a miscellaneous have apprehended this message. Some people, who have accustomed always support the message of state authorities, not having understood that at all, began supporting that. There were those, who showed the skeptical reaction. And I am one of them. Read the rest of this entry »