| Topic: |
Science > Prophecies-Of-Nostradamus |
| User: |
"Foaming at the Mouth Psychotic" |
| Date: |
26 Jan 2006 11:02:56 AM |
| Object: |
Kyrgyzstan: Southern Governor's Challenge Reaches Bishkek |
Psalm 105
41 He split the rock and water gushed forth; it flowed through the
desert like a river.
Kyrgyzstan: Southern Governor's Challenge Reaches Bishkek
By Bruce Pannier
(RFE/RL)
The embattled governor of a southern Kyrgyz province emerged declaring
victory after a meeting last night with the country's president. But
Jalal-Abad Governor Jusupbek Jeenbekov does not appear to out of the
political woods yet, despite a public show of force in his home
province in the south of the country. Hundreds of Jeenbekov supporters
protested yesterday over his announced recall by the central
government, and extra police were out to discourage trouble. The scene
highlights fears of the repurcussions when residents of Kyrgyzstan's
restive southern region challenge decisions in the capital Bishkek.
Prague, 24 January 2006 (RFE/RL) -- President Kurmanbek Bakiev felt
sufficiently confident after his meeting with Jeyenbekov to leave for a
scheduled visit to St. Petersburg.
But the brinksmanship of Jalal-Abad governor looks to have paid off --
at least for now.
Jeenbekov claimed to have won his standoff after his return from
meetings in Bishkek. He said President Bakiev has "ordered" him to
remain in his post as governor, and the AKIpress news agency quoted
Jeenbekov as saying he remains "acting" governor.
The details of their conversation have not been confirmed. And a
presidential spokesman, Dosali Esenaliev, said that Jeenbekov has
agreed to take another position, although he declined to say what that
position would be.
AKIpress also reported that the man chosen by the president to replace
Jeenbekov -- Talas Governor Iskenderbek Aidaraliev -- remains in his
post. That news is perhaps welcome in Talas Province, where some
residents reacted to news of Aidaraliev's departure with protests. Some
organized an informal assembly at which they declared him "the people's
governor."
The Battle So Far
The trouble began with the announcement on 20 January that Jalal-Abad
Governor Jeenbekov would become governor of the northwestern Talas
Province. Jeenbekov and his supporters quickly pointed out that the
governor -- who took office after last year's revolution -- was elected
by the province's residents.
That Jeenbekov was dissatisfied with the decision to transfer him from
his native Jalal-Abad was immediately evident on 20 January, when the
news broke and he made these comments to RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service: "For
me it was a morale blow that they didn't inform me [of the decision],
didn't tell me, and suddenly announced I was out. It was a blow to me,
but I'll maintain my composure, keep calm, and worry about the future
of Kyrgyzstan."
Jeenbekov told reporters he refused to leave his post in Jalal-Abad or
to calm his disgruntled supporters. Demonstrations lasted through 23
January but appeared today to have abated.
Jeenbekov's indignation was echoed in comments of supporters who came
out to demonstrate on his behalf. One woman even made it a point to
attach her name to her plea, so that President Bakiev would have no
doubt who was speaking: "President Kurmanbek Bakiev, we ask you to
leave [Governor] Jeenbekov in his post. If not, we will raise the
people. That's it! Sultanova, Kulponai."
Revolution, Followed By Unrest
The southern regions of Kyrgyzstan has known few days of peace and calm
since they served as a powder keg for the unrest that ousted the former
regime in March of last year. A key businessman and member of
parliament was killed in the summer, and Uzbek refugees fleeing
violence in neighboring Uzbekistan crossed into southern Kyrgyzstan --
drawing accusations from the Uzbek government that southern Kyrgyzstan
was providing a haven for Islamic militants. The bazaar at the border
town of Kara-Suu has been the scene of rioting and disorder on several
occasions.
President Bakiev is likely to tread lightly in southern Kyrgyzstan.
Unlike the northern part of the country, which was mainly developed and
populated after the tsarist conquests of the late 19th century, the
south represents a broad mix of peoples and ancient cities. It is also
a stronghold of Islam and, since 1990, has seen some of the worst
violence to afflict Central Asia.
Increasingly, it is also home to President Bakiev's strongest critics,
Governor Jeenbekov among them.
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