Moscow Seeks Influence in the Kyrgyz Elections

Russian media meddles in Kyrgyz politics

As the Kyrgyz parliamentary elections near, Moscow’s attempts to influence the elections’ outcome is becoming more obvious. By using both its hard and soft power, the Russian leadership has been supporting favorable candidates, while marginalizing others before the vote on October 10. At least two political leaders contesting the elections have traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian top officials. Simultaneously, Russian TV channel, NTV, featured a program smearing Ata-Meken Party leader, Omurbek Tekebayev.

Киргизия в огне

Известия-ТВ: Глеб Павловский: Киргизия в огне

Kyrgyzstan: Ethnic Genocide and Politics of Revenge - Mainstream Weekly

Kyrgyzstan: Ethnic Genocide and Politics of Revenge - Mainstream Weekly

Mainstream, Vol XLVIII, No 26, June 19, 2010

Kyrgyzstan: Ethnic Genocide and Politics of Revenge

Anuradha M. Chenoy

There has been large scale ethnic killing of minority Uzbeks in Kyrgyzstan’s Osh region, which is on the border of Uzbekistan and home to several minorities. Over a hundred people, mostly belonging to the Uzbek minority, have been killed; thousands, including women, children, foreign students, injured; thousands have had to flee their homes in the face of threats, revealing the barbarity of the attackers. This is a clear attempt at ethnic cleansing. This is not the first time that inter-ethnic clashes have occurred in this poor southern region of Kyrgyzstan, but the serious-ness of the nature and impact of these clashes has only increased.

'Russia Rises While Kyrgyzstan Burns' - Kirchick In 'The Wall Street Journal' - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty © 2010

'Russia Rises While Kyrgyzstan Burns' - Kirchick In 'The Wall Street Journal' - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty © 201

'Russia Rises While Kyrgyzstan Burns'

June 16, 2010

RFE/RL writer-at-large James Kirchick writes about increasing Russian influence in Central Asia in the context of the recent ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan.

"Russia Rises While Kyrgyzstan Burns"

by James Kirchick | The Wall Street Journal

June 16, 2010

Russia came close to getting its way with Manas early last year when the former president of Kyrgyzstan, Kurmanbek Bakiev, announced that he would evict the Americans shortly after he pocketed a $2 billion loan guarantee from Moscow. But Mr. Bakiev quickly reneged on that threat after the U.S. agreed to triple its rent to the Kyrgyz government for use of the facility. And so it came as little surprise when Russian media—hugely influential in Kyrgyzstan, where most of the population speaks Russian—began attacking Mr. Bakiev, reporting on the corruption and nepotism that had long plagued his administration but that the Kremlin had until then been content to ignore. On April 1, Russia dramatically increased tariffs on gas exports to Kyrgyzstan, which led to the deadly riots just days later that eventually forced Mr. Bakiev to flee the capital, Bishkek.

"Третья сила" не спешит в Киргизию - Радио Свобода © 2010 RFE/RL, Inc.

"Третья сила" не спешит в Киргизию - Радио Свобода © 2010 RFE/RL, Inc.

"Третья сила" не спешит на помощь

Беженцы на границе Киргизии и Узбекистана, 13 июня 2010 года

14.06.2010 10:51

На юге Киргизии продолжаются межэтнические столкновения. Участники беспорядков - киргизы и узбеки – уже трое суток жгут машины, громят магазины, базары, а также жилые дома, на улицах бесчинствуют мародеры. Сегодня пройдут консультации секретарей Совета безопасности стран-членов ОДКБ.

Минувшая ночь в южных районах Киргизии прошла относительно спокойно. Ош патрулировали войска и сотрудники правоохранительных органов, в Джалал-Абаде были слышны выстрелы, сообщается о мелких столкновениях и поджогах домов. В одном из РОВД предотвращен захват оружия.

Киргизия поворачивается к Москве – это «пробный шар» для американо-российских связей

Киргизия поворачивается к Москве – это «пробный шар» для американо-российских связей 
( "Business Week", США ) / Новости Украины и России // RT.KORR

Flashback:  У Путина сложилось впечатление, что его «предали»

Россия и США, имеющие авиабазы в этом средне-азиатском государстве, установили связь с Отунбаевой несмотря на то, что смещенный президент Курманбек Бакиев продолжает удерживать свои позиции на юге страны. Российский премьер-министр Владимир Путин стал первым лидером иностранного государства, позвонившим Отунбаевой, тогда как государственный секретарь США Хиллари Клинтон сделала это только два дня спустя.

Kyrgyzstan asks Russia to help quell ethnic clashes - Asia, World - The Independent

Kyrgyzstan asks Russia to help quell ethnic clashes - Asia, World - The Independent

Kyrgyzstan asks Russia to help quell ethnic clashes

By Hulkar Isamova, Reuters
Saturday, 12 June 2010

Kyrgyz soldiers on an armoured vehicle drive past a group of people in Osh yesterday

Kyrgyzstan appealed for Russian help today to stop ethnic conflict that has killed at least 50 and left parts of its second-largest city in flames, the worst violence since the president was toppled in April.The interim government in Kyrgyzstan, which hosts US and Russian military bases, said it was powerless to stop armed gangs from burning down the homes and businesses of ethnic Uzbeks in parts of Osh. Gun battles raged throughout the night.

"We need the entry of outside armed forces to calm the situation down," interim government leader Roza Otunbayeva told reporters. "We have appealed to Russia for help and I have already signed such a letter for President Dmitry Medvedev.