No. Looks like it is not really Almazbek Atambayev's (our PM) blog. But I was pleaseantly surprised to follow this link almazbek-atambayev-nts.blogspot.com, for somewhere deepdown, there was a hope that our politicians are interested in new means of interaction. However, was disappointed that somebody just uses this title to cover political stories from Kyrgyzstan.
However, the title did catch your attention did not it?
Monday, October 29, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tightening the Grip
AKIpress reported that Central Election Committee (CEC) gave three day period for parties to register. According to their press release, it starts on the day when elections were announced.
However, President has set the election date for December 16, 2007 yesterday (October 23). Maybe I am missing out some legal nuances here, but as far as I understand parties have only 2 days left, considering the fact that today is over.
As I was saying before, many were critical of the short term for the Referendum- one month. However, despite of all the criticism, it has passed with inflated turnout numbers and ballot stuffing, which was followed by immediate dissolution of the current Parliament. CEC has not even announced the referendum results, when our parliamentarians filled the rows of unemployed.
Seems like President decided to crackdown on the opposition completely, cutting off possible ways to consolidate, since it was in a rather disbursed state after escalated clashes with government for the past year.
There was a lot of reshuffling among parties since new electoral system was introduced so abruptly, on an extremely short notice. Thus a lot of parties, who are by default weak in Kyrgyzstan, are gathering people for their lists with one hand, while the other hand is writing the charter and programs.
Ata Meken- one of the main opposition parties announced that they are going to unite with Ak Shumkar- another leading parties in opposition bloc. Seems like they won't have much time to discuss the terms of unification, if only 2 days is enough for them.
President is rather quickly and very surely tightening the grip.
However, President has set the election date for December 16, 2007 yesterday (October 23). Maybe I am missing out some legal nuances here, but as far as I understand parties have only 2 days left, considering the fact that today is over.
As I was saying before, many were critical of the short term for the Referendum- one month. However, despite of all the criticism, it has passed with inflated turnout numbers and ballot stuffing, which was followed by immediate dissolution of the current Parliament. CEC has not even announced the referendum results, when our parliamentarians filled the rows of unemployed.
Seems like President decided to crackdown on the opposition completely, cutting off possible ways to consolidate, since it was in a rather disbursed state after escalated clashes with government for the past year.
There was a lot of reshuffling among parties since new electoral system was introduced so abruptly, on an extremely short notice. Thus a lot of parties, who are by default weak in Kyrgyzstan, are gathering people for their lists with one hand, while the other hand is writing the charter and programs.
Ata Meken- one of the main opposition parties announced that they are going to unite with Ak Shumkar- another leading parties in opposition bloc. Seems like they won't have much time to discuss the terms of unification, if only 2 days is enough for them.
President is rather quickly and very surely tightening the grip.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Referendum: part II
Congratulations! We, as a people of Kyrgyzstan, live under a new Constitution (5th or 6th). Let us start with the fact that the turnout was ~85% (!) (preliminary). I doubt that even developed and democratic states of the West enjoy such numbers. But we do! How? Well, governments have a magic wand called "administrative resource", magical stroke of which makes students, doctors, teachers etc. go and vote for whatever they want. Some become so enchanted that they go and vote 5 or 6 times.
Well, our government likes to use this wand a lot, or rather always. This time government was so nice and helpful that voters did not even have to go to polling stations: they voted for you, so you can stay at home and enjoy the weekend. Thus I am confident, that my beloved government made sure my conscious "YES" ballot is somewhere in the Central election committe (CEC) vaults, although I did not even think about the referendum that day.
Now, guess how many voted "YES" (like me) ~75% of the total votes. A question that struck me first- "could our President at least TRY to give more realistic numbers?!". OK, no further comments.
Today, I read in the news that the President is dissolving the Parliament on the grounds that the latter tried to overrule Constitutional Court. Certainly, President had to chip in because he is the "guarantor" of the main law. Another question popped up: why so fast?! CEC has not even announced the referendum results, while decree that dissmissed Jogorku Kenesh was already signed. Preliminary date for elections- December 16, 2007.
This past referendum marked the start of the "hot" winter, since upcoming elections will be different- party lists, according to our new Electoral Code that was also voted "YES" along with C. We will get to observe one of the largest political experiments in Central Asia- a parliament based on party lists only. Particularly I am curious to see how parties and individuals will behave, because paties are extremely weak and based on leaders rather than ideas.
Of course, we already have a party-nominee for Parliament majority- Ak Jol People's Party (recently created Presidential party). And certainly, the "magic wand" will play its part, however many predict that it will be more difficult to obtain such overwhelming numbers for the elections. Who knows? Maybe the stroke will be harder this time.
PS my preliminary general opinion about the elections: "Ak Jol was not created to participate in the elections, elections were called so that Ak Jol can pass- and so shall it be"
Well, our government likes to use this wand a lot, or rather always. This time government was so nice and helpful that voters did not even have to go to polling stations: they voted for you, so you can stay at home and enjoy the weekend. Thus I am confident, that my beloved government made sure my conscious "YES" ballot is somewhere in the Central election committe (CEC) vaults, although I did not even think about the referendum that day.
Now, guess how many voted "YES" (like me) ~75% of the total votes. A question that struck me first- "could our President at least TRY to give more realistic numbers?!". OK, no further comments.
Today, I read in the news that the President is dissolving the Parliament on the grounds that the latter tried to overrule Constitutional Court. Certainly, President had to chip in because he is the "guarantor" of the main law. Another question popped up: why so fast?! CEC has not even announced the referendum results, while decree that dissmissed Jogorku Kenesh was already signed. Preliminary date for elections- December 16, 2007.
This past referendum marked the start of the "hot" winter, since upcoming elections will be different- party lists, according to our new Electoral Code that was also voted "YES" along with C. We will get to observe one of the largest political experiments in Central Asia- a parliament based on party lists only. Particularly I am curious to see how parties and individuals will behave, because paties are extremely weak and based on leaders rather than ideas.
Of course, we already have a party-nominee for Parliament majority- Ak Jol People's Party (recently created Presidential party). And certainly, the "magic wand" will play its part, however many predict that it will be more difficult to obtain such overwhelming numbers for the elections. Who knows? Maybe the stroke will be harder this time.
PS my preliminary general opinion about the elections: "Ak Jol was not created to participate in the elections, elections were called so that Ak Jol can pass- and so shall it be"
Friday, October 19, 2007
Referendum
We are two days apart from the referendum that will bring Kyrgyzstan the next Constitution (or whatever it may bring). There has been a lot of hoopla around this issue, mainly due to the very short term provided before voting day (only a month). Besides, many NGOs, parties and individual politicians were critical of the draft for providing vast field of powers to the President.
Well, I am critical of the referendum becuase it is a completely useless business. Almost 60 million soms is spent on this project, not considering the time and effort directed at this huge political game that will give us, ordinary people, nothing more than a paper, outlining how we should live and act. I come from the view that Kyrgyzstan cannot afford this kind of spediture having huge economic and social problems.
Instead of working, we have been discussing HOW to work for 15 years, constantly changing the rules and Kyrgyzstan has turned into an unreliable partner, unsafe tourist zone, core of corruption, poor country with almost half of population living under poverty line (in 2006 more than 2 million).
It is rather sad that Kyrgyzstan's rating rises only due to revolutions and rallies that has turned into a means of expression on every issue be it shortage of food for cattle or removal of US Airbase. Let us hope that referendum will pass peacefully with no heavy consequences for the economy and society, because I am ready to live under such Constitution (any Constitution for that matter), as long as it provides some development and stability.
As you can see I don't believe in this referendum and Constitution change. Thus, I will have my ordinary Sunday on the 21st of October despite the fact that I have not used my right to vote yet and this is a chance. Although, the result is already known to many, it is still interesting to see the turnout. Many predict that the numbers will be strectched, since many may not even go to polling stations (like me).
For those who will go: at least you will fulfill your "civic duty"
For those who will not go: you will not lose much
Well, I am critical of the referendum becuase it is a completely useless business. Almost 60 million soms is spent on this project, not considering the time and effort directed at this huge political game that will give us, ordinary people, nothing more than a paper, outlining how we should live and act. I come from the view that Kyrgyzstan cannot afford this kind of spediture having huge economic and social problems.
Instead of working, we have been discussing HOW to work for 15 years, constantly changing the rules and Kyrgyzstan has turned into an unreliable partner, unsafe tourist zone, core of corruption, poor country with almost half of population living under poverty line (in 2006 more than 2 million).
It is rather sad that Kyrgyzstan's rating rises only due to revolutions and rallies that has turned into a means of expression on every issue be it shortage of food for cattle or removal of US Airbase. Let us hope that referendum will pass peacefully with no heavy consequences for the economy and society, because I am ready to live under such Constitution (any Constitution for that matter), as long as it provides some development and stability.
As you can see I don't believe in this referendum and Constitution change. Thus, I will have my ordinary Sunday on the 21st of October despite the fact that I have not used my right to vote yet and this is a chance. Although, the result is already known to many, it is still interesting to see the turnout. Many predict that the numbers will be strectched, since many may not even go to polling stations (like me).
For those who will go: at least you will fulfill your "civic duty"
For those who will not go: you will not lose much
Politkovskaya: Part 2
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported:
FSB OFFICER CHARGED IN POLITKOVSKAYA CASE. The Investigative Committee on October 17 filed charges against Federal Security Service (FSB) Lieutenant Colonel Pavel Ryaguzov in connection with the October 2006 killing of investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya, "Moskovsky komsomolets" reported on October 18 (see "RFE/RL Newsline," September 17, 2007). The same day, the Moscow Municipal Court sanctioned the arrest of Dzhabrail Makhmudov, who is also being held in connection with the killing. An unidentified source said Ryaguzov is being charged with abuse of office. RC
Looks like FSB found some scapegoats...
FSB OFFICER CHARGED IN POLITKOVSKAYA CASE. The Investigative Committee on October 17 filed charges against Federal Security Service (FSB) Lieutenant Colonel Pavel Ryaguzov in connection with the October 2006 killing of investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya, "Moskovsky komsomolets" reported on October 18 (see "RFE/RL Newsline," September 17, 2007). The same day, the Moscow Municipal Court sanctioned the arrest of Dzhabrail Makhmudov, who is also being held in connection with the killing. An unidentified source said Ryaguzov is being charged with abuse of office. RC
Looks like FSB found some scapegoats...
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Travel
I was away for sometime with a delegation of officials from the US, on their visit to Issyk Kul oblast. I had a chance to meet some really interesting people and visit interesting places. One place that is worth noting is "Rukh Ordo" (Spiritual Corner)- a huge complex of buildings and monuments owned by one of the Kyrgyz MPs- Kereksizov (blieved to be rich as hell!). Overall, it is the strangest sights I have ever seen. Although, it is full of expensive things like a Buddha bell from Korea, bronze statues of animals and people, huge portraits of Putin, Nazarbaev and other paintings, it is the most tasteless piece of architechture and design for the kind of money paid for it. It is basically a collection of atributes belonging to the four major religions and to Kyrgyz people. It is big.
Oh by the way, Kereksizov, owner, is preparing another similar project- center of the world this time- which is belived to be way more expensive and bigger project.
As for the people, the delegation was accompanied by some of our "beloved" MPs, who disappointed me very much by their behavior. And honestly, I felt ashamed for officials who represent my country.
But anyways, I took some pictures. Check it out.
This is the Buddha Bell from Korea (I made up "Buddha Bell"). It is belived that this bell makes wishes come true. Well... the person on the photo wished for her luggage to arrive (cuz she lost it during flights) and the next day it was found...
I thought this picture was pretty good.
A lonely umbrella...
The end.
Wish you all happy Orozo Ait Holiday! Be peace upon you! ( I just love this expression).
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