Kyrgyzstan LiveBlog: Latest from the Uprising

Kyrgyzstan is six hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time:

Kyrgyzstan Analysis: What Brought On the Colourless Revolution? (Madlena)

2045 GMT

Kyrgyzstan's Acting Prosecutor-General, Baltimir Ibraev, says criminal cases against President Kurmanbek Bakiev's two sons, Marat and Maksim, and his brother, Janysh, have been launched by the interim government. Arrest warrants for the three on charges of premeditated murder and attempted murder have been issued.

An investigation has also been launched against former Bishkek Mayor Nariman Tyuleev. Ibraev said that witnesses have testified that looting and disorder in the capital were organized by Tyuleev's supporters.

The whereabouts of Marat, Maksim, and Janysh Bakiev are unknown.



1800 GMT

Interim President Roza Otunbayeva has demanded that ousted President Bakiyev formally step down: "Yesterday he issued a statement saying adamantly that he would not resign. My interim government guarantees him his personal security. We call for his resignation."

1745 GMT

Ousted President Bakiyev has withdrawn his allegation of foreign involvement in the Kyrgyz uprising, now saying, "I do not believe that Russia or the United States of America had a hand in these issues."

Yesterday Bakiyev told Russian radio that it would be "virtually impossible to conduct such a coordinated operation" without outside forces.

1430 GMT

Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the provisional government, has said that it has control over the armed forces but she also warned of continuing resistance from the followers of ousted President President Kurmanbek Bakiyev:

(Bakiyev's) forces are not preparing to surrender. You can see how many incidents of violence there are around the city orchestrated by their side, by Bakiyev's supporters. We have information that there were several bombs planted in three public places in Bishkek.

0800 GMT

CNN reporter in Bishkek says many offices and buildings still closed, but public transport is getting back to normal. The provisional government has dissolved Parliament and declared two days of mourning for those killed in the uprising.

A "high-ranking delegation" has gone to Moscow to discuss economic and humanitarian aid with the Russian Government.

0710 GMT

Speaking from Osh in southern Kyrgyzstan, President Bakiyev has told news outlets, including the BBC and Al Jazeera: "I'm still the president. They are trying to take over the government but they can't do this. Nine months ago, 80 per cent of the people voted for me and things can't change so quickly."

0555 GMT

We have published our first analysis of the events in Kyrgyzstan: Chavala Madlena assesses, "What Brought On the Colourless Revolution?"

0545 GMT

Groups organized by the provisional Otunbayeva Government spent the night fighting looters to return calm to Bishkek. Sporadic gunfire was heard but a provisional government spokesman said nobody was killed.

"It's quiet again in the capital. No one died overnight," said Interior Ministry spokesman Abdykalyk Ismailov. "There are still some groups of looters but the city is largely under control."

0213 GMT

Georgia blames Russia for the uprising in Kyrgyzstan according to Civil.ge. The website published the official stance of the government of President Mikhail Saakashvili today:

Georgia is watching development in Kyrgyzstan with "deep concern", President Saakashvili's spokesperson, Manana Manjgaladze, said on April 8.

"The Georgian President thinks, that it is only up to the Kyrgyzstan's people to decide who should be in the government of Kyrgyzstan," she said. "Despite [Moscow's] denials, according to the information available for us, it is absolutely obvious that Russia is roughly interfering with Kyrgyzstan's internal affairs and is trying to play geopolitical games at the expense of the Kyrgyz people."

"We call on all the forces, including those who are in control of the capital [Bishkek] not to allow outside forces to use you against the fundamental interests of the country," Saakashvili's spokesperson said.

0050 GMT

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has finally commented on the situation in Kygyzstan, albeit cautiously:

1. On April 7, clashes broke out in Bishkek, the capital city of the Kyrgyz Republic, between the security forces and anti-government protesters including members of the opposition parties, and as the result of open fire by the government side, over forty individuals were killed and hundreds injured. The Government of Japan is carefully observing the development with concern.


2. The Government of Japan expects that all involved parties concerned make efforts towards resolving this matter peacefully through dialogues, and that democracy and constitutional order are restored as soon as possible.

2319 GMT

Reuters reports that a senior figure in the opposition movement has accepted Moscow's role in the ousting of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Omurbek Tekebayev, a former Kyrgyz opposition leader who took charge of constitutional matters in the new government, said that "Russia played its role in ousting Bakiyev."

"You've seen the level of Russia's joy when they saw Bakiyev gone," he told Reuters. "So now there is a high probability that the duration of the U.S. air base's presence in Kyrgyzstan will be shortened."

The Russian government has officially denied any responsibility in Bakiyev's ouster. Interim-president spoke to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and is soon to send a delegation to Moscow. Meanwhile, President Bakiyev claimed that he did not believe Russia was responsible for his ouster.

So far, the capital and most of the country is in the opposition's hands. They have, however, conceded that the president controlled the second and third largest city of the country, Osh and Jalalabad.

So far, the opposition has indicated that it does not intend to force the US to evacuate Manas Airport.

2225 GMT

President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has released a statement on his son's LiveJournal account. Although the account is confirmed to be authentic by many sources, it cannot be ascertained without a doubt that it is indeed his. The statement is in Russian, but one of our contributers kindly translated it for us. We are posting excerpts only:

2212 GMT

It seems that Maksim Bakiyev, the son of Presdient Bakiyev has made it to the US. Radio Free Europe quoted US State Department Spokesperson Philip Crowley as saying in regards to Maksim:

"We believe he is in Washington.”

Kadyrbek Sarbaev and Maksim Bakiyev were due in Washington D.C. yesterday on a state visit. However, only Sarbaev has so far officially arrived in the US. There are no immediate sources except for the State Department confirming or denying whether he is in the US or not. The trip which was supposed to be for 'consultation' has since been canceled.

2150 GMT

Another source quoting ferghana.ru confirms that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has indeed moved to the village of Markai, close to Jalalabad in the west of the country. He is reportedly accompanied by his brother and they are being protected by armed groups.

2100 GMT

The US State Department's daily briefing from Washington D.C. yesterday outlines the current US stance regarding the situation in Kyrgyzstan. At the same time, it might also infuriate the Kyrgyz opposition.

Protests in Kyrgyz Republic/U.S. Deeply Concerned About Reports of Civil Disturbances and Possible Loss of Life/Closely Monitoring the Situation/U.S. Deplores the Violence/Urge All Parties to Show Respect for Rule of Law/Manas Airbase is Functioning/U.S. Embassy in Bishkek is Presently Functioning Normally/Maxim Bakiyev and Foreign Minister Sarbayev Will Be Arriving in the U.S. Today for Previously Scheduled Consultations

While President Bakiyev's son Maksim Bakiyev's trip was scheduled in advance, some might take it as a sign that the US is supporting President Kurmanbek Bakiyev even though it has no link to the current uprising. It is worth noting that his house was burnt during the uprising yesterday and he remains a deeply unpopular figure within the country.

It is unclear whether Maksim Bakiyev made the trip indeed along with the Foreign Minister. Unconfirmed sources have reported that he has. There is speculation among opposition activists that he might not return to the country if he has indeed made it to the US.


2022 GMT

Earlier, it was reported that President Kurmanbek Bakiyev might be in his hometown of Osh. New reports now indicate that the president might have fled close to Jalalabad - Kyrgyzstan's third largest city. According to some sources, he is currently in the village of Markai and is preparing to defend his presidency.

This comes as other sources are making claims of the blockage of the highway between Bishkek and Osh, making movement between the two parts of the country very difficult. This could not be immediately confirmed, though.

1800 GMT

While it seems the situation in Bishkek might have finally calmed down after a night of sporadic gunfire, the world is still disunited in the face of Kyrgyzstan's uprising. The US and Russia are showing markedly different approaches to the Kyrgyz uprising. While the US seems to be more cautious, Russia looks to be slowly warming up to the opposition which is now in charge of Kyrgyzstan. Reuters reports:

A U.S. official said Obama and Medvedev considered issuing a joint statement on the crisis, since both had an interest in stability, but no such initiative was forthcoming.

Instead, a senior Russian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters afterwards: "In Kyrgyzstan, there should be only one base -- Russian." The U.S. official responded that the two leaders had not discussed the notion of closing the U.S. air base.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin effectively recognized the interim Kyrgyz government formed by opposition leader Roza Otunbayeva on Thursday, speaking to her by telephone, his spokesman said. But the U.S. official said it was unclear who was running Kyrgyzstan, although he said Washington did not see the upheaval as a Russian-sponsored or anti-American coup.

1735 GMT

Even as interim-leader Roza Otunbayeva continues to claim Bishkek is under control, reports of gunfire continue to arrive from capital. Twitterati in Kyrgyzstan or with first hand knowledge through relatives and friends continue raise concern. Here are some of the tweets from David Gullette a few minutes ago:

Deputy Nazarov said at 22:30 that in two hours the city would be quiet. It's now 23:15 and there is gunfire in the area.

We are hearing shots in central Bishkek.

Others are sounding hopeful. Mirsulzhan Namazaliev, who is co-founder of the Central Asian Free Market Institute, tweets:

Everything is being normalized, guys! Multiple police sounders in the city center of Bishkek.

Great! Everything will be fine very soon! Kyrgyz Police say: Wee repress acts of looters near the Osh Bazaar

But there is alarming news which is as yet unconfirmed that the army has been given orders to shoot anyone who is out looting.

1705 GMT

As with all news stories, there are reports that cite sources who completely miss the point. 'Managing to Miss the Point of the Day' goes to International Crisis Group's analyst Paul Quinn-Judge who is based in Tajikistan. Speaking to Foreign Policy, Quinn-Judge, a former Time Magazine reporter had this to say about the Kyrgyz people:

Quinn-Judge says the discontent with Bakiyev's government that led to today's events has been building for weeks, and was driven less by political repression than by bread and butter issues.

"A few weeks ago, the government sudden raised the prices on gas, water and electricity," he said. "This turned out to be quite literally the final straw for a population that is generally very apolitical and willing to take whatever is thrown at them by the regime."

Wait? 'A population that is generally very apolitical' and 'willing to take whatever is thrown at them by the regime'? Our readers might remember Kyrgyzstan's 2005 'Tulip Revolution'. But few are talking about protests in Kyrgyzstan in 2006 and 2007 - caused by discontent with the government. The swiftness with which the government was removed from power shows anything but apathy.

It's quite simple. The Kyrgyz people have done this before. They have been voicing their concerns before with Bakiyev. He didn't listen. They acted. Alas, if only every bad president/leader/king/Imam was at the helms of 'apolitical' citizens like the ones in Kyrgyzstan...

1635 GMT

Sounds of gunfire are rocking the Kyrgyz capital again. The Associated Press reports:

Associated Press reporters in Kyrgyzstan are hearing sustained automatic weapons fire breaking out as night falls in the capital of Kyrgyzstan...

Meanwhile on Twitter, Kyrgyz twitterati also reported hearing gunshots. Many reported seeing looters on the streets. Others reported that the Kyrgyz police was taking action. Scattered reports of looting in Osh were also reported. Meanwhile, interim-leader Roza Otunbayeva used Twitter to thank the volunteer militia for helping to maintain peace in the Kyrgyz capital. She later tried to calm tensions by tweeting:

The situation in Bishkek is under control. Police and armed forces will keep the peace tonight

1330 GMT

President Bakiyev has said that he will not resign but has conceded that ministries and security forces are now under the control of the provisional government of Roza Otunbayeva.

1310 GMT

NewEurasia offers the summary that President Bakiyev has not officially resigned, although it appears that the prime minister and much of the Bakiyev Government have quit.

The site also features this incisive commentary:

Seriously, what are we going to call what just happened? The “Second Tulip Revolution” sometimes sounds very poetic, one of the few times when a Hollywood sequel was better than the original. But “uprising” just has a far more fitting connotation, doesn’t it?

For one, because a revolution has to be something a lot more deep than just shuffling a president. Maybe that’s what will happen. I’m curious about how such a disparate group of neo-liberals, ex-leftists, semi-Islamists, and sort-of-Akayevniks like the Kyrgyz opposition will actually govern the country. Perhaps by committee, hopefully with more transparency, but whatever they choose, I doubt it will be revolutionary in any real meaning of the word.

For another, because uprising really captures the spirit of what’s happened in Kyrgyzstan. There will be endless speculations about whether the Russians or the Americans somehow instigated this. But I tell you: the frustrations of the Kyrgyz people are real. Even if there was a foreign agent provateur, he didn’t have to provoke very much.

0830 GMT

A spokesman for Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says that the leader of the proclaimed Kyrgyz Government, Roza Otunbayeva, has told Putin by telephone that she is in full control of the country.

0700 GMT

In addition to echoing the points below, made again at Otunbayeva's press conference, CNN's reporter in Bishkek says capital is now calm, with improvised rallies and speakers  in the streets.

Otubayeva told the CNN reporter at the press conference that the fate of the US airbase is "one of the less important things" on the agenda of her proclaimed government.

0655 GMT

Opposition leader Roza Otunbayeva has told the Russian-language Mir TV channel, "The security service and the interior ministry, all of them are already under the management of new people." Other opposition leaders said Otunbayeva would head the interim government for the next six months.

"The interim government will remain in place for half a year, during which we will draft the constitution and create conditions for free and fair elections," Otunbayeva said.

0630 GMT

The "interim Defence Minister" says armed forces and border guards are under control of the Otubayeva movement.

0614 GMT

Opposition leader Roza Otunbayeva warns at her press conference in Bishkek that President Bakiyev is trying to rally supporters and defend his position.

0550 GMT

The New York Times makes its priority clear in the opening paragraph of its report, "The bloody protests against the repressive rule of the president of Kyrgyzstan which forced him to flee the capital of Bishkek could pose a threat to a pivotal American military supply line into nearby Afghanistan."

The story makes no reference to statements of the opposition that it intends to take no action regarding the US airbase at Manas.

0445 GMT

This is perhaps the decisive moment for Kyrgyzstan's government. If the president is forced to flee the city, the country's south will also fall into the opposition's hands and then Bakiyev won't have any more chips to expend.

0413 GMT

Reports are slowly emerging that protesters have started to gather in Kyrgyzstan's second largest city Osh. EurasiaNet reporter David Trilling tweets:

Osh witness reports crowds gathering there.

Akipress reports white house [Kyrgyz Presidential Palace] on fire, 1000 gathered in front, people have free access.

Vesti.kz: [President] Bakiyev flew from Kazakhstan to Osh.

Osh mayor says Bakiyev is in his "southern residence" (not far from UN office in Osh). http://bit.ly/bSb8ON

diplomatic sources say bakiyev flew to osh and may have moved to hometown of Jalalabad

0405 GMT

Two new stories have emerged. Opposition leader Roza Otunbayeva, now in charge in Bishkek is going to be holding a press conference in an hour (1100 AM Kyrgyz Time). As all eyes are turned towards her, new reports have emerged of what the protesters demanded. Several sources on Twitter who are in Kyrgyzstan right now are claiming that the protesters did not demand that the US pull its troops out of Manas Airport.

This story was repeatedly reported by several Western media outlets. According to these outlets, the protesters demanded an end to corruption, lowering of utilities' prices and the evacuation of US Forces from Manas. TIME even published a story claiming Russia might have instigated the uprising to force the US out of Kyrgyzstan. This story is, however, now being hotly contested by Kyrgyz opposition twitterers. It is worth noting that Otubayeva earlier hinted that the US can keep its base in Manas for the time being and no violence was directed at US forces there.

0326 GMT

International reaction to the Kyrgyz uprising has been one of concern over violence and there have been calls for calm.

Russia's president was the first to speak. Most important task at the moment is to prevent new losses of human lives in Kyrgyzstan, which is swept by disturbances, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday. His Press Secretary Natalia Timakova echoed his sentiment:

This situation is Kyrgyzstan’s internal affair but the form in which the protests erupted testifies to the utmost degree of discontent that the actions of the authorities produced among the rank-and-file people....Kyrgyzstan has always been and will remain a strategic partner for Russia and that’s why we’ll continue watching the course of developments there closely.

US National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer urged calm:

We are concerned about reports of violence and looting and call on all parties to refrain from violence and exercise restraint... So far the situation there has not affected any of the US personnel assigned either at the embassy or at Manas.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle expressed his concern on Wednesday toward the violence in Kyrgyzstan.

I am very concerned about the clashes between protesters and government in Kyrgyzstan... I call upon both sides to exercise restraint. Instead of violent actions, peaceful dialogues, are the only correct way to calm down the situation on the ground.

0310 GMT

News has emerged from Kyrgyzstan that the official death toll from the violent protests yesterday in Bishkek is 65. The number was confirmed by the Health Ministry, which had earlier claimed the toll to be 40. Opposition groups, however, claim that the number is as high as 100.

Yesterday's protests were extremely violent as both the government and the opposition used firearms. Scenes of protesters using AK-47s to push back security forces and government snipers shooting at people were shown across several TV stations.

The new report emerges as several outlets such as TIME are hinting that Russia might have had a hand in the new Kyrgyz uprising. This seems to entirely miss  the point that the Kyrgyz president had already faced similar protests in 2006 and 2007 and that the election that brought him to power was marred by fraud. The reports also miss the fact that the current protests were sparked by a hike in utility bills.

0245 GMT

Reports have now emerged that Kyrgyz opposition leader Roza Otunbayeva intends to stay in power and lead an interim government for six months which will write up a new constitution for the county. This could not be confirmed immediately by all sources. In the morning after protesters ousted the government in Bishkek and took over government buildings, the city is still reeling from the looting done the day before. Bishkek Municipality workers are out cleaning the streets. (See pictures below)

However, no reports of new violence from the capital have emerged. Some Kyrgyz netizens reported that the situation was relatively calm and that some people had even gone to work. The opposition earlier declared that they have appointed new ministers of interior and defense and were working to restore calm in the capital.

0216 GMT

Russia Today reports that the Parliament has been occupied by protesters as well. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's house and his relatives' houses have been burnt down. The station also confirms that the president has reportedly fled the country. They also confirm that opposition leader Roza Otunbayeva is in charge and has dissolved the parliament and taken over the presidential palace. Russia Today also confirms that protests are ongoing in at least four cities.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSfnax1yWMQ[/youtube]

0211 GMT

Morning after the uprising, and Kyrgyz capital Bishkek shows signs of wide-spread looting:







Check the live journal for more pictures.

0144 GMT

The leader of the Kyrgyz uprising has a Twitter account and has been tweeting for the past 24 hours. Her first tweet in English is from 17 hours ago:

We want #freekg #kyrgyzstan ! Bakiev and his cowards are no match against the will of the #kyrgyz people!

Bakiyev, stop shooting at your own people! You will never be forgiven!

She then reverts to tweeting in Russian. A simple translation of her tweets from five hours ago are as follows:

We call on the workers of  KТР, Channel 5 and НТС and other mass-media to show the REAL situation in Kyrgyzstan!

Authority is in the hands of the national government. People have been appointed to key positions. We are working to restore calm.

In the city [Bishkek] national combatants, veterans and others are patroling. Civilians are organized.

The Ministry of Interior Affairs is working to restore calm.

0125 GMT

The BBC reports that Kyrgyzstan's new government's stance on the US base in Manas Airport in the country is unchanged. The report also quotes the opposition's main leader and self-proclaimed interim-leader Roza Otunbayeva claiming that they have appointed a new Interior and a new Defense Minister and they would be dealing with the unrest from now on.

The former Interior Minister was killed yesterday by angry protesters.

0108 GMT

New reports have emerged that Kyrgyz Prime Minister Daniar Usenov has tendered the government's resignation and that Baikyev's government's no longer legitimate. This comes amid mixed reports that the President may have fled the country entirely or is in the southwestern city of Osh, his power base. Amid news of wide-spread looting in the city, some observers claim that if Bakiyev manages to keep control of Osh and southern Kyrgyzstan and the opposition remains in the north only, it could mean instability for the country.

EurasiaNet reports:

Although political support for Bakiyev has evaporated in northern Kyrgyzstan, leaders of the provisional government now worry that Bakiyev might try to rally support in the South, his home region. While it seems doubtful that the military and Interior Ministry forces will now follow his orders, as long as Bakiyev remains on Kyrgyz territory he could make trouble for the provisional government. His presence in Osh could exacerbate long-standing North-South tension in Kyrgyzstan, something that could lead to a prolonged period of political confrontation in the country.

0054 GMT

New reports emerging from the country illustrate the extent of people's anger. Protesters have reportedly stormed government institutions all over the capital and have even freed political prisoners in some cases. Opposition leaders claim they are in complete control of the capital and protesters are reportedly mobilizing to take control of other cities in Kyrgyzstan as the day starts.

Reports have also emerged that President Bakiyev has left the city of Osh and is not in Kyrgyzstan anymore. Opposition leaders have reportedly set up a new government in the capital, headed by former Foreign Minister Roza Otunbayeva and are in the process of appointing new ministers.

2353 GMT

New reports by CNN and New York Times suggest that the opposition is in complete control of the capital and were in the process of forming a new government under former Foreign Minister Roza Otunbayeva. Various news sources reported that Otunbayeva claims to be the interim leader of Kyrgyzstan. So far, the wherabouts of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev are unknown. Sources claim he may have left the capital for the southwestern city of Osh, others claim he may have left the country entirely.

The New York Times reports:

The United States Embassy in Bishkek issued a statement saying that it was “deeply concerned about reports of civil disturbances.” By late evening in Bishkek, it appeared that the opposition had succeeded in taking over the national television channels. In a speech to the nation, an opposition leader, Omurbek Tekebaev, a former speaker of Parliament, demanded that Mr. Bakiyev and the rest of his government resign.

Mr. Tekebaev was arrested earlier in the day along with some other opposition leaders, but was later released.

CNN adds:

Bishkek resident Munarbek Kuldanbaev told CNN that opposition leaders went on the state television network and called for calm, but clashes between opposition supporters and police continued into Wednesday night. Another Bishkek resident, who asked to remain anonymous because of security concerns, said there was machine-gun fire around the city and blood stained the streets in front of the presidential palace.

In Washington, a senior Pentagon official told CNN that the turmoil has interrupted flights into and out of Kyrgyzstan's Manas Air Base, an important link in the supply line for U.S. and NATO forces in nearby Afghanistan. It was unclear when those flights would resume, the official said, but the U.S. military has contingency plans to deal with the situation.

Roza Otunbayeva is one of they key leaders of the Tulip Revolution, which ousted then-president Askar Akayev in 2005, as well as a member of the Kyrgyz parliament. She is a former Kyrgyz Ambassador to Malaysia and later the United Kingdom and also the first ambassador the to United States and Canada and served as the deputy head of the United Nations special mission to Georgia from 2002 to 2004.

Russian officials have called for calm in the republic and asked the government and the opposition to settle their differences peacefully. As a new day begins in Kyrgyzstan, it looks unlikely that the violence will stop.

Background:

This is the second time Kyrgyzstan will see an uprising sweep away the government. In 2005, protesters stormed the capital and other large cities, forcing President-turned-dictator Askar Akayev from power in what observer dubbed 'the Tulip Revolution'. After elections were held in July of 2005, Kurmanbek Bakiyev was elected to lead the country amid allegations of wide-spread fraud.

However, Bakiyev ousted other leaders of the revolution quickly, starting with Prime Minister Felix Kulov, solidified his hold on power and based on accounts by the opposition and independent observers started to enrich himself and his family. He has faced protests twice before in 2006 and 2007 when opposition demanded that he follow through with promises of reform, restricting the power of the president and clamp down on corruption and crime.

He was elected to a second term in 2009 amidst more allegations of fraud. Among his key decisions was to declare that Kyrgyzstan would evict the US and international forces from Manas Airport, which they use to supply NATO and ISAF troops in Afghanistan.

Bakiyev also restricted media freedoms..

2330 GMT

Latest update: Protesters seem to be in control of Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.

Raw video footage from Bishkek showing protesters clashing with security forces. Images could be disturbing to some viewers:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igghSmJZrm0[/youtube]

Footage from protests in the rally in the city of Naryn:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNuoFpFf72E[/youtube]

2313 GMT

Scope: Currently protesters have shown up in the capital Bishkek where they seem to be mostly in control. Protests in Talas, west of the capital seem to be steady as well and have now spread to the city of Naryn.

Protesters' Demands: End to corruption, lowering the cost of utilities and removal of US forces from Manas Airport. Different sources have quoted different demands, but everyone seems to agree on these three.

State of Affairs: Government forces attempting to control Bishkek and stop violence from spreading to countries two largest cities besides the capital, Osh and Dzhalalabad.

Government: President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is reportedly in Osh in southwestern Kyrgyzstan. The capital so far neither in control of the government nor the protesters.

Casualties: The Health Ministry claims 40 people have been killed by security forces, while opposition leaders claim the number to be over 100. Interior Minister Moldomusa Kongatiyev has been beaten to death by the protesters, according to the AP.

2150 GMT

Protesters furious over Kyrgyz government's ineptitude have seized several key government institutions and the headquarters of one of the country's state TV stations. Opposition leaders claim that at least 100 protesters have been killed in the clashes with security forces, while the Health Ministry of Kyrgyzstan claims the number to be less than half that. Protesters were demanding an end to corruption, media reforms and an end to US presence in Manas Airport, which as well as being the country's main airport is also the site of the Transit Center at Manas, a US Air Force base supporting US and international troops in Afghanistan.

Protests started in the northern city of Talas, west of the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, on Tuesday over a 200% hike in electricity bills and quickly spread to the capital where protesters first took over the  State-run TV, then the office of the country's main intelligence agency. They later put the Attorney General's Office on fire and attempted to seize the government headquarters.

The violence in the Kyrgyz capital continued late into the night and early morning hours. Fore now, it seems the government of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is fighting hard to keep control of the capital. Tanks were seen guarding the presidential palace. More updates with background information in a few minutes.

Comments

[Adam]

Perhaps Khamenei realizes that this is exactly what would happen to him if he had Mousavi and/or Karroubi arrested.

[Robinhood]

this is what happens and will inevitably happen when the people have been pushed too far-Thailand is another example-hummm good things go in 3 s whos next ??? !

[Myles]

I'm in Kyrgyzstan. No one at the protest was talking about the American base. It was all the boiler plate - rising corruption and rising prices. To the extent that anyone cared about the base, it was because of the assumption that the Bakiev's were pocketing the hundreds of millions in rent paid for the place.

[Catherine Fitzpatrick]

You know, if you folks would keep your anti-Americanism down to a dull roar, you might be able to analyze this story more accurately. The shrill invective about the U.S. base is masking a more complex story about the base being kicked out in fact under Russian pressure not long ago and the U.S. only having just gotten back in, barely.

You don't provide the link to Time magazine, apprently so you can get the hysterical Twittering masses to re-tweet your false claim without having to bother to read it, making it seem like a veritable CIA plot of disinformation. But the actual story is a reasoned and justified questioning, listing the available information about Russia's involvement:

Here's the link:
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1978590,00.html

The headline *asks the question* -- like you would if you were good journalists instead of anti-American bloggers with an agenda -- of Russia's role in this affair -- which is not trivial, and is being questioned avidly by those in the region.

And rightly so, given that it was Russia's quadrupling of the gas prices that was the immediate cause of the riot, not anything this U.S. base was doing at that juncture.

One can keep a steady criticism of this U.S. base, and a weather eye to American inaction or meddling without being stupid about it, and claiming that all questions about Russia are somehow disallowed or a "distraction" from "evil Amerikan imperialism."

What Kyrgyz protesters are saying is that this isn't about the base. Read their comments. So many are claiming that out of ignorance -- they see a base, they make a knee-jerk assumption.

Time says this: "But whether or not the Kremlin urged the Kyrgyz opposition to call its supporters into the streets, Moscow has a lot to gain and Washington a lot to lose from the bloody upheaval that has ensued."

As the story explains, if you bother to read it, Russia was willing to put down $2 billion to get rid of the U.S., and the U.S. got an eviction notice.

Putin denies involvement, but says Bakiev is stepping on rakes. Indeed he does, among them having his son involved in the fuel concession for this self-same American base.

We may never know exactly what Russia did or didn't do in this uprising. The reality is they have immense capacity and intelligence for meddling and do meddle -- they are angling to get in their own base into the south of Kyrgyzstan from the security organization CSTO which they have mounted as a challenge to NATO in some respects.

The way to understand this country is to look at all the forces bearing down on it, which include first Russia, then Uzbekistan, then China -- then America. Don't just add it as another pelt in your anti-American belt of bases and knee-jerk theories of "enduring America".

[Catherine Fitzpatrick]

I see you didn't have the link to Time in the top stories there but have it later down the page, but of course, that discourages people from reading it.

You write about the "hand of Moscow:

"This seems to entirely miss the point that the Kyrgyz president had already faced similar protests in 2006 and 2007 and that the election that brought him to power was marred by fraud. The reports also miss the fact that the current protests were sparked by a hike in utility bills."

Um, you *do* realize that those utility bills "hiked" because Russia raised the price of gas four times on purpose very suddenly, causing confusing and panic and anger from customs agents about the tarrifs?

Why would an election marred by fraud -- definitely the case -- someone constitute proof that Russia wasn't involved?!

In 2005, the Russian-led CIS monitors praised the election of Akayev as "free and fair" although OSCE said it was "flawed".

[Revolution in Kyrgyzstan? [upd]

[...] New York Times is being criticized by some analysts for its coverage of the crisis in Kyrgyzstan on the grounds that it is focusing [...]

[Arshama]

Josh,

Thank you very much for this live-blogging! EA was in fact one of the first sites, showing a map of the country (last night even Spiegel had none), and now we get updated reports.
I disagree with Catherine Fitzpatrick about the anti-American tone of your reports -- as the news are pouring in, very different and contradicting but foreseeable concerns are raised at the beginning, before a sober analysis can be delivered (who knew, where Kyrgyzstan is situated at all ;-)

After our experiences with the rigged elections in Iran, imho any "sedition theory" (Russia, USA or China) should be skipped in favour of a sober assessment of facts, especially as both Russia and the USA have military bases in this country, which they don't want to loose. Very unlikely that they start a coup aimed at each other, while they are going to sign the START treaty in Prague today. On the other hand China cannot be interested in an upheaval with regards to its own discontented Muslim minorities.

The Bishkek events appear to me as a continuous disintegration of the Soviet Empire, which always abused of its Central Asian republics as easily accessible providers of resources and raw materials. By pursueing this disastrous politics, Russia will only loose more and more influence on its former territories.

As to Westerwelle's comment, Germany is the only EU state to have an embassy in Kyrgyzstan: http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,687786,00.html

Arshama

[Catherine Fitzpatrick]

Of course you're going to disagree, you're soaking in it! And of course you're long practiced in the rhetoric of justifying the name "Enduring America" and yet claiming you aren't anti-American. And mind you, I speak as a person with a double-entendre blog named "Minding Russia" so -- been there. And I wonder if you even think you have a double-entendre in your name, come to think of it.

It's understood that "reports are pouring in" but you threw a decided knuckle ball there with that reference to Time, and unleashed a legion of RTs shrieking about #Timefail and all the rest and that's irresponsible. You set up the reference to make it look like any effort to ask about Russian meddling is a distraction from the evil American base. But in this story, the base is really beside the point, except as a source of income for the corrupt Bakiyev government, his son, etc.
and when you have the guy thrown out of power blaming Russia, you have to tell that side of the story.

Where did Time get its story about Russian interference? *From the statements of Bakiyev, who blames Russia*. Perceptions are part of the story as much as the reality of the story, which is Putin saying "we didn't do it, Bakiyev stepped on a rake" but you have to ask.

Question: Live Blogging means blogging from the scene, i.e. in Bishkek. You can use the term to mean blogging in real time about events as you pull them off other sites, but it does usually mean blogging from the events themselves on the scene. Is Josh Shahryar in Bishkek?

Sedition theories are in fact your lurching toward American causation. And given that Russia's price hikes (not some vague "poverty induced by globalization" or whatever your facile notions might be) were directly what caused the riots, you HAVE to keep asking about Russia. Russia is the language the intelligentsia and the government out of power and coming into power speaks, and they were educated in Moscow/Russia in a number of cases and have ties there. It's what you ask about.

Russia has a base but doesn't pay landing fees. Russia wants to put in another CSTO base in the south.

It isn't "sedition" for Iran to ask the role of people's perceptions of how others meddle, their calculation of how they pitch their cause, and actual presence of foreign interolopers. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Unlikely they will start any coup at each other due to START? That seems pretty naive. Of course they can. Remember the revolutions in Ukraine and Georgia, when pretty much they were on opposite sides? I'm not a believer in the "outside agitation" theory of the colour revolutions at all, as in fact many on the left are now, because I see they have genuine dynamics inside the country, but in fact both sides do get help from outside and it does matter.

The Russian-American relationship is complex. Supposedly Russia supports NATO action in Afghanistan. Yet it doesn't really, and constantly says "I told you so". Russia supposedly has been coming around on the need to pressure Iran, but we've seen them renege and backslide on this many times for their own objective pragmatic reasons. Russian-American relations do not take place in one dimension about one thing, they were more uniform in the Soviet era than they are now.

[Barry]

@Catherine Fitzpatrick

Welcome here. Your thoughts and writings are interesting and thought provoking.

I am totally out of my depth - in regards to what is happening in this central Asian Republic. I wouldn't even try to guess what is happening or why.

Personally, I do see that Russia (or more pointedly the USSR) had a place in the world once. Now, it is struggling to restore itself to the table that it formerly dined at. Once you are outside the room - it is difficult enough to get back into the room, much less to dine at the table.

As for anti-Americanism -- it is certainly here, as it can easily be found almost everywhere. The biggest conundrum regarding that for me - is that it appears to me that the most anti-US are usually American citizens themselves. ??? Some kind of self-hatred?? We humans are strange creatures.

Barry

[Barry]

Of course - we don't really know just who contributes here. I believe there are a number of Iranian expats living in different countries - a number of Americans, some Europeans, some Iranian Regime supporters ( Iranian opposition supporters can't get much out of Iran) , and of course - a number of Arabs from different countries.

Barry

[Scott Lucas]

Catherine,

Thank you for opening up a discussion on the issues. Personally, I have to become a student on this case, so I'll refrain from any analysis and learn from the exchanges.

I did want to say that, yes, I was fully aware of the double entendre when we decided on "Enduring America". The double entendre is one of the reasons why we chose it.

s.

[Josh Shahryar]

Catherine,

I did not respond to your statements here and on Twitter as I was busy. But here are a few answers to some of your questions.

1. Liveblogging is not blogging an event while you are there. It is the practice of blogging a live event i.e. you blog about a baseball game while the two teams are still playin' ball. The definition is pretty uniform around the net. You can look. Here's one from PCMag:

http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=live+blogging&i=59974,00.asp

2. I did provide link to time. If you notice, "hinting" is bold and if you hover your mouse over it, you'll see that it links to the Time story.

3. While you speak of the protests yesterday, you completely forget the protests in 2006 and 2007 where the opposition rose up against Bakiyev. And while you blame Russia for hiking the utility prices, you are completely forgetting Bakiyev's cronyism and the corruption in the Kyrgyz institutions. You are also completely forgetting his backrolling one of the main demands of the Tulip Revolution - limiting the president's powers. And while I hinted at the fraud in the elections as a catalyst, I simply meant to assert that the opposition already had enough reasons to rise up against Bakiyev.

You on the other hand along with Time are suggesting Russia simply fooled a naive citizenry to rise up and overthrow a president. The people of Kyrgyzstan already have enough experience in the field of overthrowing presidents. They don't need help or instigation. They knew how to do it and they had a reason to.

Finally, I fully grasp your frustration with this website's name and the fact that you perceive anti-American bias. The website can defend itself when it comes to the name. (Scott has already expressed his views in that regards.

As for my views and what I write - I am totally responsible for any mistakes or perceived bias. Do I hate the United States of America? How could I? I live here. Do I think Time's piece irresponsible? Yes, absolutely. The information coming out of Kyrgyzstan is chaotic enough. Even before we have a good view of what is happening inside the country, TIME quickly churns out a piece suggesting Russia had something to do with this.

I have been a journalist for a while. I have also been a foreign policy analyst for a while. Let me be clear, when you ask people a question like that, you are basically saying, "Hey, this is what I - the writer of this piece - think. Do you agree with me? Here's all the reasons you should.

It's not a philosophy where you cite both sides of the argument to present a complete picture of what has happened or what might happen. It is simply a way to sway everyone to your point of view and in Time's case, the view was pretty clear.

The reality is, neither Russia, nor the United States is a saint. And for that matter, neither is the United Kingdom or any other country on the face of the planet. They are both pragmatic and opportunistic world powers - and there is NOTHING wrong about that.

And I must add one last thing; the Cold War is over. It's been 20 years...

[Lead]

It seems the world is facing recession on one hand and on the other facing is facing the distress among the people. You have provide a good insight of the current distress in Kyrgyzstan.

Interested Article

[Arshama]

Good news: Russia recognizes new government in Bishkek! mobarak ast :-)
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,687825,00.html

[Catherine Fitzpatrick]

1. You don't get to define what Live Blogging is just because you have a blog, dear. And live blogging of conferences, which is how Twitter began (I'm an early adapter) and events like SWSX has generally come to mean *blogging live from the scene where the event is taking place*. Regurgitating others' reports and linking to other news report even if in real time isn't Live Blogging. Don't arrogate yourself to something you are not. The definition is not uniform if you look beyond the PC PC, and see actual usage on Twitter. Glad we've confirmed that you are not on the scene, and therefore are not a first-hand witness and are not special.

2. As I pointed out, you didn't put that link in later references to Time, so no one can see it in this LONG page unless they scrolled way down.

3. I didn't "forget" any protests in 2006 and 2007 as I watched them then too. And why would domestic protests about corruption and economic hardship then somehow obviate the need to ask the question about Russian meddling -- then or now? Why would you get to ask *only* about the American influence because there is a base there, but not get to ask about the Russian influence, when Russia has one base and is trying to put in another?! That's a double standard, but one we are used to from the hard left.

4. And again -- Why would asking about the Russian meddling and their precipitation of this crisis with the very politicized and abrupt gas price hike be somehow excusing Bakiyev's own corruption? That's just plain stupid. It doesn't. You can walk and chew gum at the same time, you know.

5. I don't care if you name your website Cream Cheese. And there's nothing wrong with having an anti-American website, or a tongue-in-cheek snarky website that constantly pretends it isn't what it is. AND other people get to express their sentiments too and push back on you. Or do you think blogging is a one-way street?

6. You can live in the U.S. and "love America" and still be childishly anti-American in your analysis of world events -- and so you are. And it's not about love or hate or criticism; it's about an infantalism on the left that sees every world event through the prism of possibly American evil, and therefore both ascribes to the U.S. more power and guilt than it in fact has, and is only imperialism of another sort imagining that if America is to blame for everything, it can also fix everything. Grow up. There are other countries in the worlds, with far worse governments, and they will have a bigger influence on this region than the U.S.

7. You seem to think you can just preach to the choir, peddle whatever you peddle and only get cheerleaders. You get a pushback from me. You're covering the events in this country not for their own sake, but because it fits into some ideological scheme of yours about evil bases everywhere.

8. You didn't cite both sides of the argument. How dare you be so intellectually dishonest?! You cited *one side* and then concocted a conspiracy theory about Time, that it was deliberately inciting a conspiracy theory and distracting from American involvement. Ridiculous. The story describes *what Bakiyev's claims are* and asks a journalistic and analytical question, which YOU would ask if you were an unbiased journalist.

9. Again, you're distracting from the problem you manifest here. "Neither Russia or the U.S. is a saint" isn't a claim you have to make to me, and somehow prove that I'm not willing to criticize either the U.S. or Russia here -- nonsense. The reality is, this country is in Russia's sphere of influence, heavily dependent and involved with Russia, and Russia has a big influence on it, arguably greater than the U.S. And you're dismissing that because for you, the presence of a U.S. base trumps every other issue evidently.

10. The Cold War isn't over. Do you think Obama's signing the START talks means this? America and Russia and the West remain at odds on many issues. And wait -- you speak as if the Cold War was some sort of terribly thing. It was better than a hot war. And furthermore, it was just the right response to mass crimes against humanity that Stalin was committing. Or did you have a better plan? Cold is what you have to be to some countries that massively kill their citizens in large numbers.

Your claims that anyone who asks about real Russian meddling in Kyrgyzstan manifested over the years is somehow guilty of "Cold War thinking" as some sort of "outdated and biased position" and guilty of "insufficient criticism of the U.S" merely help further expose you as biased.

[jann]

the biggest queston will be after opposition comes to power what will be their policy in US and RUSSIA military bases,but whats happening now is nt because of russian american affairs..its jus people are so sick and tired of the poor life and high prices and that goverment doesnt give a shit about anything except their own pockets..

[James D]

Catherine,

I wonder if you took the time to stop bashing the author for his quite fair report given the title and pace of this blog - you might deliver that which you seem desperate for EA to provide - a balanced and reasoned argument.

Personally I'd quite like to know what the other regional hegemon - China - will do in the aftermath of this mess, given its ties to Turkmenistan and Kazahkstan, whose similarly undemocratic governments might feel weakened by such an uprising. The fate and structure of the SCO in the wake of these events in Kyrgyztstan, would be another concern.

Your thoughts?

[Shaytun-e-mamouli]

A great deal of kerfluffel in the blogosphere!

It would be unrealistic to suppose that any of the outside players (Russia, US, China, Uzbekistan, etc.) are not either shaping events, or endevouring to do so. Each country has - to a greater or lesser degree, long or short-term - an array of interests in Kyrgyzstan These outside players will pursue their interests to the best of their abilities while avoiding "blowback" or unintended consequences. Humanitarian or "feel-good" aspects do not figure in the equation except as these might touch upon potential blowback. The only long-term issue in play here is the geopolitical competition between Russia and China, and which of these two powers will end up with Kyrgyzstan as their client/vassal. All else - including the presence of the US at Manas - is objectively peripheral and certainly temporary.

[James D]

@ Shaytun-e-mamouli

I agree with your point that humanitarian interests don't figure, and that outside players are likely to have some degree of influence in the country's events.

However, I think to label 'periphery' such as the US Manas base as a temporary concern is wrong.. If indeed the long term consequence of a regime shift in Kyrgyzstan is competition between Russia and China, it is precisely the presence of an outside party such as the US that will be needed to prevent such competition escalating to more provocative action. The permission for the US base to continue to operate by the interim and what ever future regime of Kyrgyzstan therefore is vital to regional stability.

[kevina]

"1. You don’t get to define what Live Blogging is just because you have a blog, dear. And live blogging of conferences, which is how Twitter began (I’m an early adapter) and events like SWSX has generally come to mean *blogging live from the scene where the event is taking place*. Regurgitating others’ reports and linking to other news report even if in real time isn’t Live Blogging. Don’t arrogate yourself to something you are not. The definition is not uniform if you look beyond the PC PC, and see actual usage on Twitter. Glad we’ve confirmed that you are not on the scene, and therefore are not a first-hand witness and are not special."

That might be one of the most unintentionally hilarious things I've read. It looks like someone is NOT aware of all internet traditions.

Seriously, who made you Goddess of the Intertubes? Much "live-blogging" is EXACTLY what Josh is doing. What, you think Lucas is LIVE in Tehran blogging on Iran? H=ll, The Guardian in London live-blogs anything, whether or not they're "on-site."

[Shaytun-e-mamouli]

Here's "STRATFOR"'s take on it

[Removed at author's request]

[Josh Shahryar]

Shaytun-e-mamouli,

A couple of notes on the STRATFOR response:

1. "Though there is no concrete evidence of a Russian hand in the removal of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s government..."

2. "STRATFOR sources in Kyrgyzstan in contact with foreign embassies report that the presence of Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) agents has been conspicuous in Kyrgyzstan over the last 24 hours. These reports cannot be confirmed..."

Do you see the problem?

[kevina]

On Stratfor, Josh is right. Bigger picture, the political situation in the country right now is CHAOS. Extrapolating the larger geopolitical consequences right now is foolhardy, IMHO.

[Catherine Fitzpatrick]

Gosh, what a 180 degree turn! Yesterday, you were snarking at the "hint" of conspiracy theory from Simon Shuster of Time merely reporting the *question* about Russian involvement backing the regime, and inciting legions of tweeters to rant #Time fail, and arguing with me here that Russia's involvement wasn't critical, and now today, you suddenly move the Reuters story at the top quoting a senior opposition official now in the government saying Russia may have had a hand?!

Um, so how does that work, guys?

American news outlet Time=bad -- because it interviews Bakiyev and supporters and reflects their concern about hand of Russia -- bad, because it's American? So yesterday it was Time *hints* and a knowing eyeroll and getting your followers so mad they were going to write angry letters to Time about Cold War conspiracies.

German wire service Reuter=good because it interviews opposition leader mentioning the likely hand of Russia, and you simply run it as Reuters *reports* -- even though the comment by the opposition leader is based on nothing and amounts to as much as yesterday's *hint* from Bakiev?

Really.

[Catherine Fitzpatrick]

Kevina, I'm well aware that certain people think they "own" Internet traditions. Usually snotty and cynical young geek males. But, then there's the rest of the users of the Internet, who own it too, because increasingly, social media unseats the geek "webmasters" who used to be in charge, because they aren't needed to access the tools : )

It's great : )

Let me see if I can help pierce the magic circle on this today:

Live Blogging the Financial Hearings
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-eskow/liveblogging-the-financia_b_529926.html
"Here in the Rayburn building"
A real reporter going to the scene but using new media style newspaper online

First return on Google

Second return on Google:

http://www.solidblogger.com/watch-apple-event-iphone-os-4-0-iphone-4g-hd-release-online/
"here are many popular blogs from where you can follow the live coverage of the Apple event, such as Engadget, GDGT, and Boy Genius Report."

A geek affectation that "live" means connected by media in some way watching something.

We live in a world where the ownership of the term "live blogging" is clear from the fact that the term by itself turns up a zillion hits about nerds obsessing about the i-phone or the i-pad.

Even so, these nerds realize a difference between watching a ustream and going to a live press conference:
http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/04/08/iphone-os-40-press-conference-live-blog/

You don't own the Internet or its terms. We're here, we're queer, get used to it.

If one of your comrades is actually in Iran reporting, great! That's live-blogging in my book. The guy spouting about Kyrgyzstan while not being in Bishkek is just plain blogging, so let's make that distinction.