Global Voices » Elena Skochilo

Kyrgyzstan: The Die is Cast

Elena Skochilo — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 05:08:27 +0000

The Central Elections Commission confirmed that Kyrgyzstan's presidential election were valid in the late evening on October 30. Over 51% of Kyrgystanis have voted across the country (a little over 3 million voters). The elections were observed by 792 international observers from 56 countries.

Election day has revealed two main problems: visible thumb marking and voters’ lists. The experiments of Kyrgyzstanis quickly proved that the marking on the voters’ thumbnails can be easily washed off. The voters’ lists were incorrect and many voters couldn’t find themselves in the lists despite having registered.

Marking issues

Both online and offline Kyrgyzstan were full of complaints about various violations, poor marking and inconsistent voters’ lists. After first hours of voting and checking visible green marking virtual Kyrgyzstanis immediately set up an experiment how to remove marking and posted their results.

The marking on voters’ thumbnails is almost invisible on polished nails.

Twitter user Esen Jumanov said [ru]:

It seems that marking is just a green marker. Let me try to wash it off!

The Kazakh journalist and election observer Gulim Amirkhanova experimented with marking and said [ru]:

The marking was half washed off with wet paper from the nail but it is still visible on the skin

Diesel Forum user npokuror312 posted [ru]:

Overall, there is no sign of marking in 30 seconds after applying the sandpaper.

Another forum user Neman replied [ru]:

You don’t need sandpaper. The marking can be easily washed off with alcohol-contained liquid.

The author also experimented with the marking. It revealed that the marking is almost invisible on the polished nails (see the photo above).

Twitter user @saida_sydykova complained [ru]:

What a bad marking I got! It was kind of green marker… the marking blackened and ruined my manicure.

Voting lists

The situation with voting itself and voters’ list wasn’t that amusing. Many voting stations were overcrowded and people had to stay in line to vote. Plenty of voters couldn’t find themselves in the voters’ list and left.

An observer at the Kyrgyz National University Nate Schenkkan tweeted [en]

At KG Nat'l Univ'y, too many voters, unable to enter hall, crowd pressed against entrance

Twitter user and the independent observer Aizhan Hodzhaeva said [ru]

Half of the votes hasn’t voted before afternoon time because of absence of their names in the voters’ list

Urmat Nasykulov complained [ru]:

There is a big claim to work of the local city hall's authorities. Many voters were not listed in the voters’ list.

Gulim Amirkhanova reported from Talas city [ru]

The voters have received voting notification but there are no their names in the voters’ list and they can’t vote

Twitter user Dilik666 criticized [ru]:

There is a mess at the voting stations. They should have prepared better. Long lines, slow registration.

An observer and Twitter user Mekajona claimed [ru]:

The fights and scandals between voters which haven't found themselves in the voters' lists were observed. Bad work, the Central Elections Commission!

One of the presidential candidates Kubatbek Baibolov asked [ru]:

Do you still think this is a chance after hundreds of complaints about the voters’ lists and poor marking?

This politician was one of the most active politicians in his Twitter account during a day and provided a few photo evidences of the law violation.

By the end of day many users added up their impressions about elections. Michael Andersen posted on his Facebook:

Kyrgyzstan now has a new political SYSTEM – but the main CANDIDATES are the same old same old dodgy ones. And they want the ’good old’ system back. Of course – they and the people around them made fortunes from it, working with Akaev and Bakiev. The Kyrgyzstanzi deserves better, and hopefully they will get there - but it wil only happen if they – the young, the NGOs - manage to HOLD ON to the changes, the new democratic parliamentary system. Moving from ’elections’ to elections….. RESPECT!

Zafar Sulaymanov said:

Today is one of the most important dates in Kyrgyzstan's modern history! I hope,I pray that everything goes well…..we need fair elections, and we need good leader! I'm going to make my own choice in couple hours! so nervous….is it gonna make a difference…???? hope soo

Journalist Denis Berdakov explained [ru] his position:

I haven't voted today. It is my solid citizenship. I can't be responsible for the future of my country if I can't trust these people. There are no worthy candidates. There is no sense to vote against of all because I don't believe that elections are fair. I love my Kyrgyzstan, but I haven't gone to vote for nothing, I value my own voice!

An observer Andy Heil tweeted:

Has #Kyrgyzstan just pulled off the most democratic presidential vote in modern Central Asian history?

According to the latest reports from the CEC's website (10 pm by the local time on October 30) the leading candidates were Almazbek Atambaev (65, 6%), Kamchybek Tashiev (14,75%), and Adakhan Madumarov (13,7%).

The updated reports on the results of the election will follow shortly.

Kyrgyzstan: There Is No Silence Day in Internet

Elena Skochilo — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:57:56 +0000

Yesterday, October 29, was the so-called “Silence Day” in Kyrgyzstan, the last day before the presidential elections. At this day any political agitation is prohibited in the traditional media. But the law has no hold on Internet. The main representative of the Russian newspaper “Rossiyskaya Gazeta” Igor Shestakov said [ru]:

There is no silence day at Facebook today! There is political heat around candidates. Most of my Facebook friends heavily criticize the main candidates. I think that the candidate “No one” will win today!

In August the presidential race in Kyrgyzstan had an impressive start: 83 candidates were registered to participate in the presidential elections. Tomorrow Kyrgyzstanis will vote for one of 16 candidates only.

The social networks were heavily used for the agitation by the candidates during the agitation period from September 25 till October 28. Most candidates have registered their Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and posted their elections agendas for the discussions at the largest Kyrgyz internet forum Diesel. Moreover, the First National Channel of Kyrgyzstan in collaboration with the Internews Network organization used the forum to collect the questions for the presidential debates on air [ru]. They created [ru] a topic at the forum where every user can post his or her question for the candidates.

Even during the “Silence Day”, the Kyrgyz Internet didn’t pay attention to the restriction of the law: it was full of discussions, arguments and predictions.

The censorship law was in action and all foreign TV-channels are aired in the record to avoid an influence of the foreign countries on the presidential race in Kyrgyzstan. So, a few people are just happy to watch their favorites TV channels soon. Azamat Tynaev, the editor of Chalkan.kg agency posted [ru] at his Facebook:

Hooray! A day after tomorrow I will watch again Euronews, K +, RBC, CNN, “Week” with Marianna Maksimovskaya, and other TV-programs. Idiotic censorship law will finally stop running.

Many users were still unsure whether they should vote. Facebook user Urmat Nasykulov posted [ru]:

I have two inner candidates. One is voting for nobody, another is going to vote for one of the candidates. The have equal positions now. What about you?

The human rights activist Ilya Lukash tweeted [ru]:

Probably, I won't vote. I apologize for my indifference. It will be my first elections which I will abstain consciously.

The head of the Central Asian Free Market Institute Mirsuljan Namazaliev tweeted [ru]:

Say no to the administrative source whosoever uses it! The elections should be fair!

Nowadays the Kyrgyz Internet is full of human rights activists, citizen journalists and whistle-blowers, and the virtual Kyrgyzstanis are well-aware of the law violations. Many online agencies will provide twits about the elections day upon the hash tags #freekg, #kg2011, #shailoo and #shailoo2011. Some users will use the crowd-sourced map on elections violations [en]. There is even a site [ru] to follow the elections agendas of all candidates and check later if their promises become true.

The election day is taking place today. Updated reports on it will follow shortly.

Kyrgyzstan: 83 Candidates Register for Presidential Elections

Elena Skochilo — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:30:15 +0000

The small Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan, famous for its political unrest, will hold a presidential election in October, 2011. Now Kyrgyzstan has another chance to be famous: 83 Kyrgyz citizens are registered to participate in the race for the vacant presidential post.

The list of candidates is impressive: there are lawyers, farmers, businessmen, teachers, Ph.Ds., politicians and even a few unemployed people. Sixteen candidates are representative of the political parties, sixty-seven nominated themselves, and there are six women and seventy-seven men. All of them must collect 30,000 supporting signatures, provide an election deposit (around $2,200) and pass the Kyrgyz language exam.

The president of Kyrgyzstan is elected for six years. The same person cannot be elected twice. Only a citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic without any foreign citizenship, not younger than 35 years and not older than 70 years, resident of Kyrgyzstan not less than 15 years can be elected as a president.

Kyrgyz parliament. Image by Flickr user benpaarmann (CC BY 2.0).

83 presidential candidates

Of course, virtual Kyrgyzstan has widely discussed such a great variety of presidential candidates [all tweets translated from Russian]:

@AizatM: Eighty-three candidates!!! It is just funny!!! Anyway, I want to hope for better…

@Chingiz_KG: Eighty-three presidential candidates is a shocking number

@IlyaLukash: So what, country? My congratulations for eighty-three candidates!

The users of Diesel forum expressed more practical thoughts. They were curious how ballots would look like [ru]:

$kyMeR: Will the ballots look like a roll? ))

llena: The bulletins should be made as a toilet paper roll. It makes sense

Ilyich: Germany is famous for its cars, Japan is famous for its engineering, China is well-known for goods, and Kyrgyzstan is famous for the production of Presidents!

The 83 candidates made Kyrgyzstani netizens think about quality of the candidates, too. A number of the Kyrgyz politicians have already registered their accounts on social networks; a few of them have their own blogs.

Netizens' reactions

Virtual Kyrgyzstan knows that almost all of the Kyrgyz politicians become active on social networks only before a large political events (rallies, elections and etc.). At other time their activity is near zero; this led to the creation of an event on Facebook “Down “dead” politicians!” [ru].

The event was created by Azamat Imanaliev, an editor of one of the biggest news agencies AKIpress, and an active user of social networks. The event calls all users of social networks in Kyrgyzstan to unfriend and to unfollow the Kyrgyz politicians from the friend list on September 25, 2011, a day when the agitation campaign starts:

@Azzzik: I wonder if we can make a flash mob to remove the accounts of the politicians from our friend list. They remember us only during election time. RT!

@Azzzik: Let’s remove them together in defined day. Imagine their bewilderment - they will lose such a large audience in one day. They will lose courage ))

The action got the ambiguous responses. While many users welcomed this idea, the others asked if it made sense at all.

Aliya Akmatova wrote [ru] on the wall of the Facebook event:

People, why are you so furious? This is nonsense. The campaigns activate in social networks before holidays, for example – it gives them traffic and sales. People are active when they need it, or have a profit, or when they want to capture attention. It is absolutely normal. This is worldwide experience

Peri Adanova said [ru]:

Why should we remove them if we had added them? They don’t bother anybody. I think that not only politicians use social networks for PR.

Diesel forum user DRIVE2.KG posted [ru]:

I don’t see any sense in the removal of the politicians. Why did I add them then? They don’t bother me. I know what is going on in their life when they write some, even if they don’t write themselves. Some of them are writing themselves, you can see it. Action doesn’t have any sense.

The number of the candidates is however, decreasing significantly. Many of them cannot pay the election deposit; a few failed the Kyrgyz-language exam and didn’t collect enough supporting signatures.

Registration of candidates will finish on September 25, 2011, and the election campaign will last from September 25 until October 29. Presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan will be on October 30, 2011.

We will see the reaction of the Kyrgyz politicians (if any) on September 25. But many users remain skeptical. As the main representative of the Russian newspaper, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Igor Shestakov said [ru]:

This is a prototype of our future e-government. You can even send a question or express an opinion, but the officials will never answer you.

The following is a list of accounts of those Kyrgyz politicians on social networks (thanks to Diesel forum user Afina):

Kamchibek Tashiev (FB)

Roza Otunbayeva (FB)

Omurbek Babanov (FB)

Tursunbai Bakir uluu (FB)

Temir Sariev (FB)

Iskhak Pirmatov

Shirin Aitmatova (FB)

Dastan Bekeshev (FB)

Felix Kulov (FB)

Emil Umetaliev (FB)

Joomart Saparbaev (FB)

Ulan Cholponbaev (FB)

Aida Salyanova

Omurbek Tekebaev (FB)

Nariman Tuleev (FB, Forum)

Edil Baisalov (FB)

Akylbek Japarov (FB)

Asiya Sasykbaeva (FB)

Adakhan Madumarov (FB)

Ravshan Jeenbekov (FB)

Alikbek Jekshenkulov (FB)

Ismail Isakov (FB)

Kyrgyzstan Sets Up the Anti-terrorist Centre

Elena Skochilo — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 06:38:30 +0000

15, July, the President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiev gave interview to the American New York Times.
During the interview, he told [ru] that Kyrgyzstan was going to set up the anti-terrorist centre at the south region of Kyrgyzstan.

The representatives of the Kyrgyz and the Russian Ministries of Defence are exploring the question of the opening of the anti-terrorist centre at one of the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan to reinforce the anti-terrorist activity. We could hold joint anti-terrorist trainings of the Kyrgyz and Russian military, Kurmanbek Bakiev said.

In the beginning of July the delegation of the Russian government with the Russian vice-premier Igor Sechin visited Kyrgyzstan. As it was found out later, the Russian delegation discussed the possibility of the extension of the Russian military forces in Kyrgyzstan and the possible opening of the second Russian military base at the south region of Kyrgyzstan during the private talks.

The President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev neither confirmed nor denied the information that Russia supposedly had the negotiations to Kyrgyzstan to set up the second military base for the CSTO forces.

Such agreement can't be announced in advance. We can't neither confirm nor deny, Medvedev told.

The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Erhzan Ashikbaev announced the position of Kazakhstan. He told, that Kazakhstan considered the possibility of the opening of the Russian military base the business matter between two countries and greeted any steps to improve the stability and safety of the region.

William Burns, the U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs told that such decision was obviously the sovereign right of the government of Kyrgyzstan.

Our view is that any step that strengthens the sovereignty, independence and security of Kyrgyzstan is a sensible one, Burns said [en] to AP.

But Uzbekistan expressed [ru] the negative opinion about the possible new military bases in the border countries.

Tashkent expresses strong disagreement about the setting up the new foreign military bases in the border countries, the high-ranking Uzbek official told anonymously.

Internet-society of Kyrgyzstan started criticizing of Uzbekistan.

Okey, should we ask for the written permission of Uzbekistan to set up a new base? But what about the closure of the Uzbek borders recently? They did it without any permission. Now we can make them nervous also. We need to open one more military base in Osh city and set up the American transit center in Batken instead of Bishkek, Diesel Forum user Dizelist said [ru].

Why is Tashkent so nervous? If the problem is in the terrorism it is advisably for Tashkent to defend the Ferghana Valley better. Americans always stressed that the American military base has the special mission and it won't get involved to the regional conflicts. But the CSTO base should do this. So, why is Tashkent so nervous?, Diesel Forum user Baker Street asked [ru].

I think this possible base at the southern region of Kyrgyzstan is to manipulate Uzbekistan. The Russians with Tajikistan will control the half of the Ferghana Valley, Diesel Forum user Zeeke suggested [ru].

Does Global Financial Crisis Affect Kyrgyzstan?

Elena Skochilo — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 09:38:54 +0000

Slon.ru writes [ru] that global financial crisis started in the February, 2007. That month Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) stopped the buying-out the subprime mortgages. A lot of American and European banks take up the lead of Freddie Mac in Summer, 2007. It leaded to the bankruptcy in the financial sector and the global financial crisis started.

Two years passed. Has the global financial crisis affected Kyrgyzstan?

Deputy minister of industry, energetics and fuel life Gulbarchyn Asanova told that there was a significant recession in the production of the building materials had a According to her words, the reason is Kazakhstan's rejection to buy the Kyrgyz production. Global financial crisis also affected food, cloth and chemical industry of Kyrgyzstan.

The overall production decreased 20% first six months of the present year, Gulbarchyn Asanova told [ru].

Head of the committee of directors of the Kyrgyz stock exchange Nurbek Elebaev said [ru], that the stock market of Kyrgyzstan had already suffered from the global financial crisis.

The Kyrgyzs stock exchange doesn't integrate to the global stock exchanges.That's why we hadn't suffered much in 2008. But I can consider that the local stock exchange had begun to experience the influlence of the global financial crisis after 5 months of this year. A lot of companies which have been working actively at the stock market recently, decreased their activity now, Nurbek Elebaev told.

At the same time, the prime-minister of Kyrgyzstan Igor Chudinov told [ru], that the economical situation in Kyrgyzstan is staying stable in spite of some objective difficulties.

We were successful to keep all state financial obligations. I can speak with assurance that we were able to provide the realization of the economical and social reforms in the difficult conditions due to the cooperative efforts, Igor Chudinov told.

Internet-society doesn't have one opinion about the possible influence of the global financial crisis on Kyrgyzstan. Someone is complaining about the business recession, others claim that they have a lot of job.

We have a lot of work. There was small slack period in the beginning of the year, but now we have a stable situation. We didn't decrease the prices, but didn't increase also. I have an impression that people more in panic, than suffer from the real crisis, Diesel Forum user Igrok said [ru].

I am working in the construction business. I've had a lot of work in the previous year, but there is no demand now. The prices decreased greatly, but still no business. I have one fellow, he sells clothing in bulk at the Dordoi market. He earned 5000 USD per day, but now he earns 300 USD hardly, Diesel Forum user Mogul complained [ru].

The global financial crisis affected people who took credits and lived from one credit to another. But the Kyrgyzstanies always worked, are working and will be working. Let's go to the café in the evening? You will see that even expensive restaurants are always overcrowded. People don't care about any crisis and have a rest. If you really want to work, you will find a job easily. Financial crisis is a psychological crisis also, Diesel Forum user Futurist told [ru].

Anyway, the influence of the crisis is still exists. Even it is bias.

A few children told [ru] to BPC reporter that they wish our country couldn't have had the financial crisis.

I want all people to be healthy and the financial crisis passes soon, 13 year old Aleksei Grishchenko told.

I would like to become lawyer and the ambassador in Germany. I want the financial crisis to finish soon, 9 year old Iskander Omurov said.

Also posted on neweurasia.

Kyrgyzstan: Government Acts to Prevent Swine Flu

Elena Skochilo — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:26:35 +0000

The import of all types of meat products from the United States and Mexico is banned in Kyrgyzstan now. Deputy Director of the Department of Veterinary Kubanychbek Musakeev explained [ru], that the government imposed this restriction because of the worldwide spread of the swine flu. According to Musakeev's words the import of meat to Kyrgyzstan will be allowed again after the stabilization of the situation with swine flu.

Kyrgyz government has already set up a commission to monitor and to take urgent measures in case of swine flu among the population. The health control will be strengthened at the meat markets.

Despite the fact that we have a favorable situation with this disease, it is necessary to keep this issue under special control, prime-minister Igor Chudinov said.

Head of the Health Ministry, Marat Mambetov said [ru], that there is still no registered case of the swine flu in Kyrgyzstan. He assured that his department holds all necessary measures to prevent the possible occurrence of this type of flu among the population.

According to words of the Chief Medical Officer of Kyrgyzstan Sabirzhan Abdikarimov, his department has the adequate supply of disinfectants and personal protection from swine flu.

More than weird decision of officials to ban the import of meat was commented by Diesel forum users.

Swine flu now spreads droplet from person to person. There is no reason to ban any kind of meat. The stupid bureaucrats are working in the department of veterinary. Really, was it difficult to ask epidemiologists and infectiologists about the sources and transmission of swine flu?, user Cosmopolit surprised [ru].

User Oldman was [ru] categorical:

They have no brains. The transmission of swine flu is not going through the pork meat.

According to the World Health Organization on April, 27, the number of cases was 1600, of which 103 cases ended in deaths (from 22 confirmed dead pig flu, the rest have symptoms similar to the disease).

World Health Organization published [en] FAQ about swine flu. One quotation:

Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?
Yes. Swine influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs. The swine influenza virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160°F/70°C, corresponding to the general guidance for the preparation of pork and other meat.

In this case, it is not quite clear why the officials banned import of meat to Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan: Lame Ad Design Spurred Nationalist Debates

Elena Skochilo — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:28:58 +0000

On April, 22, a deputy Askarbek Shadiev criticized the advertisement billboard of the Swiss Office for Cooperation [en] during the session of the faction “Ak Zhol” party. Deputy was outraged by the placing the white cross image on the flag of Kyrgyzstan by unknown designer.

There is a big poster in the honor of the 15th anniversary of the Swiss Cooperation Office where the flag of Kyrgyzstan is drawn with a huge cross at the intersection of Mira Avenue and Gorky Street. None of you are probably didn't pay attention. I believe that the government should control such things. Is this a humiliation?, he said [ru].

In an interview Kloop.kg [ru] Askarbek Shadiev also commented his speech.

There is a big cross on our Kyrgyz flag. I think it is unethical and a violation of the law about the Flag of the Kyrgyz Republic. We need to take the matter to court and we will win, Shadiev said.

They could place both flags together, but they shouldn't have drawn the cross on our flag. Our people don't understand, and I think that is offensive, Shadiev added.

In response to the attack of Shadiev Swiss Cooperation Office explained [ru], that the organization received an official permission to use such banner from the National Commission of National Language under the President.

Logo printed on billboards and other promotional materials, expresses the 15th anniversary of the Kyrgyz-Swiss cooperation/ Logo shows combined flags of two friendly countries - the Kyrgyz Republic and Switzerland, Swiss bureau explained.

Internet users immediately criticized an unknown designer and posted a photo of the deputy with the flags of both countries as a sign of friendship Kyrgyzstan, Switzerland and Shadiev. However, the opinion of the users was common:

We can see again that the MPs have nothing to do. It would be better to think about our poor retirees and veterans …, expressed [ru ] the general idea Diesel forum user SpaceWalker.

Kyrgyzstan: No Rest For the Internet

Elena Skochilo — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 13:57:00 +0000

The head of the State Patent Department [en] Ulan Melisbek told [ru] that this department will try to take control of the service registration of domain names in the .kg zone.

Ulan Melisbek is sure that the .kg zone represents the national interests, and its administration should be under state control, rather than a private company. Currently, the right of registration of domain names in .kg zone belongs to the private company “AsiaInfo” [ru].

AsiaInfo appeared at the right time in the right place, when our government didn't understand well the role of the Internet, and had no relevant experts. AsiaInfo managed to get the right to administer .kg zone. Kg and turned it into a business. National .kg zone shouldn't belong to the private company. It should be under the supervision of the state, Ulan Melisbek said.

What are the Internet users saying?

As usual, forum users were the first who reacted to this news. The topic has quickly grown to 13 pages [ru], there were involved about 60 users in a discussion.

The creation of the integrated register of domains, and the attraction to the domain service the various organizations - this is good! And if Ulan Melisbek begins to maintain badly, our task will be to explain to him how to do it properly, user praktikant suggested [ru].

Some users consider the initiative of the Patent Department will bring the corruption into the domain name registration service.

And what about the increase of the level of Kyrgyzstan and a struggle with corruption? If the state has the right to register and control the domain names, it will only develop the corruption, user Crazyman told [ru].

A number of the forum users would agree with Ulan Melisbek. They consider that the company-domain-registrar shouldn’t be a monopolist. If the company didn’t have the exclusive right to register the domain names, it would help to develop competition and decreasing of the prices.

I think, Ulan Melisbek is right. AsiaInfo has the great incomes from the registration and support of the domain names. Because of the high prices, our local Internet content doesn’t develop quickly. Firstly, I would deprive the exclusive right in this area. Only the honest competition can bring the prices decrease for the registration and support of the domain names. The state should have only the regulative functions, but not the prohibitive. IMHO, regulation of the registration and support of the domain names in .kg zone will help to organize the .kg zone. I consider that Ulan Melisbek won’t control the Internet-content. I think he is sure that it is impossible. Only some dumb politics still want to try to control the internet content with the help of the state, user Tarantino considered [ru].

Opinions of the professionals

Aleksey Bebinov, the coordinator of the IT-projects of the “Civil Initiative on Internet Policy” supposes that the change of the company-registrar won’t give any positive results. Moreover, such initiative can affect to the quantity of the domain names in .kg zone. Aleksey Bebinov also doubts that the state structure as the registrar of the domain names will be the objective and unbiased in the domain name politics.

There will always be a risk of the state pressure, even if the head of the Patent Department will be equitable towards the clients. I doubt that the Patent Department has enough specialists to support and serve the root servers of .kg zone. Besides, I am sure they won’t decrease the prices significantly. The present price is an equal price. It consists of the set of the costs for the service and support of all infrastructure and the staff to keep up the usual work of the servers and other business, Bebinov explained special for Neweurasia.

The head of the non-government organization “Civil Initiative on Internet Policy” [en] Tattu Mambetalieva expressed her anxiety in the official letter to the Patent Department. She stressed in the letter that the functions of the administering of .kg zone were transferred to the AsiaInfo company by the ICANN [en] organization. ICANN coordinates role of the Internet’s naming system. To change the registrar the special procedure is required. This procedure is set up by the American organization IANA [en], which is responsible for the global coordination of the DNS Root, IP addressing, and other Internet protocol resources. Moreover, the consent of the AsiaInfo and the opinion of the Internet society are required to start the transfer the right of the domain name registration to the other company. As a rule, the change of the company-registrar will start if the company doesn’t follow the special rules of domain name system structure and delegation (RFC 1591) [en]. The evidence of the rule violations is also required.

The control of the Internet sites from the state structures violates the main rights and freedoms of the people and contradicts the Kyrgyz Constitution and the international commitments of Kyrgyzstan. Such control can lead to the legalized censorship in the Internet, said in the letter.

The author of the podcast for the programmers [ru] Oleg Puzanov noted that the decreasing of the price of the domain names would be the important factor for the business.

In one hand, that initiative can increase and give a stimulus for the SME in the Kyrgyz Internet . But in other hand our state because of the lack of the experience in the Internet-business can create very difficult procedure for the registration. In that case even the drop of the prices won’t help to the local businessmen to buy a domain in .kg. zone, Oleg Puzanov told special for Neweurasia.

Kyrgyzstan: Photo-roundup with not a word about politics

Elena Skochilo — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:32:38 +0000

A winter time is ending, and Kyrgyzstan is waiting for the hot spring: the rallies, protest actions and so on. But let's talk about beauty, not about the endless politic. What was the photowinter in Kyrgyzstan?

Livejournal user doctormoro posted the unique photos of the famous Kyrgyz actor Suymenkul Chokmorov. The story of these images is unique also. There is a fan of the old film cameras at Diesel Internet forum. Once some woman gave him a bunch of the old films. He scanned them and found out the unique shots from the screen test of the movie “The Scarlett Poppies of the Issyk-Kul” and shots from the filming of that movie. That man kindly provided the shots to doctormoro and he published them in his blog.

See more unique shots in his blog [ru]. Livejournal user Azamat Imanaliev aka azzzik wrote another part of very interesting notes about his trip to the USA in 2007 year with a lot of nice photos. Read the travel notes of azzzik and realize how the usual Kyrygzstany interpret the USA!

Read and see photos in Azzzik's blog [ru]. Do you know that a lot of Kyrgyzstanis like playing hockey? Do you know that recently there has been the hockey championship in Kyrgyzstan? No? So look, receive evidence and delight! Thanks to azzzik who has visited that championship and made a lot of photos.

See more action hockey images here [ru].Livejournal user _jpeg visited the snowboard competition in Kazakhstan. She was disappointed with the results of the Kyrgyz snowboarders, but she also brought nice shots in spite of a heavy fog.
Enjoy the last snow shots at Flickr!As livejournal user nuraika said [ru]:

February gave us a cheery wave and sent the last snow kiss. A bit sad that we won't see the snow soon…

Goodbye, blogowinter! The colored and action blogospring is coming to the restless Kyrgyzstan!

Kyrgyzstan: Back Count for the U.S. Airbase

Elena Skochilo — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:57:19 +0000

On February, 19th, 2009 nearly all Krrgyz MPs approved a motion denouncing the agreement between Kyrgyzstan and the USA about the American airbase at Manas. Of 89 total MPs, 78 voted for, one against, and two abstained:

The government, in the name of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, after signing by the President of the given law, should notify embassy of the United States of America in Kyrgyzstan and inform them about the decision of the Parliament. Then the air base should be deduced within 180 days…

Livejournal user and communist Sergey Kozhemjakin, aka kojemyakin, published [ru] an article in which he argued for the necessity of the airbase's withdrawal:

[The] airbase withdrawal is a positive event according to the long-term interests of Kyrgyzstan. That's why our main task is to expose the attempts of the USA to create political force under control to them on the basis of opposition. And, also, to expose the power which the same self-interest and which can quite offer earlier accepted decisions for the sake of own benefit moves.

Blogger Azamat Imanaliev, aka azzzik, devoted two posts to the American airbase two, including fine photos (post one, post two). Meanwhile, the topic about the withdrawal of the American air base [ru] is currently the most popular forum of Kyrgyzstan Diesel, but has just been closed by moderators. Nevertheless, some users managed to sneak in a post or two. For example user Borg considered [ru] remarked that it is early to say goodbye to base:

Probably, the format of the agreement will change from the bilateral to the trilateral. Such a situation would be the most profitable for Kyrgyzstan [since] our country could receive the maximum payments. However, Russia would be like a warranter of all payments and observance all conditions, because it's very hard for Kyrgyzystan to supervise the Americans itself.

The next day, on February, 20th, 2009, Kyrgyzstani President Kurmanbek Bakiev signed the law, obliging the USA military to leave the territory of Kyrgyzstan within 180 days.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said [en] the United States would consider paying higher rent to keep the airbase open. But he added that the base is not irreplaceable and there were talks with other nations about ways to get supplies into Afghanistan. He says while he's considering paying more, the U.S. won't waste taxpayer dollars on a sky-high rent just to keep the base.

Speaking to reporters en route to Poland for a meeting of NATO defense ministers, Gates also said [en] Russia is “working against” U.S. efforts to retain a crucial resupply base for the war in Afghanistan:

And the question is on one hand you're making positive noises about working with us in Afghanistan, and on the other hand you're working against us in terms of that air field, which is clearly important to us.

Time magazine also wrote [en] that Russia, which hates the presence of the American military in their backyard, offered $2 billion in aid to their former fellow Soviet republic:

Washington believes Moscow — despite its firm denials — is behind the order evicting the U.S. from its last airbase in Central Asia.

Opinions of reputable foreign magazines are similar to the opinion of the typical visitor of portal Kloop.kg. For example, one left [ru] this comment on the article about an air base withdrawal:

Generally, the question about the airbase will be solved not by our country. That is a question on the agenda within the relations between Russia and the USA.

I would agree. The auction is not ended yet, stake, misters!

Also posted on neweurasia.

Kyrgyzstan: The U.S. Air Base Shutdown

Elena Skochilo — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:58:21 +0000

The president of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiev declared that American airbase will be called off Kyrgyzstan. Political intrigues around the airbase began when Bakiev became the president of Kyrgyzstan. The question about the base withdrawal was raised [en] before every trip of the Kyrgyz president to Moscow. However, this February trip became decisive.

A Little History

The American air base “Manas” began the work in December, 2001, according to the intergovernmental agreement. Originally named in the honor of the head of the New York fire service Peter Gansi. According to the American legislation, military bases outside of the USA can't be named in the honor of the American citizens, that's why the airbase was renamed to “Manas” (the epic famous Kyrgyz hero). The main task of the base are the transmission of soldiers and cargoes to Afghanistan and back, and fuel service in the sky over Afghanistan.

Officially

On February, 3rd, Bakiev declared about future withdrawal of the American airbase from Kyrgyzstan after the negotiations with the president of Russia Dmitry Medvedev.

“Recently the Kyrgyz government decided to terminate the agreement about the stay terms of the American airbase in Kyrgyzstan.This decision will be announced soon”, – Bakiev told.

The Kyrgyz president noticed that the USA didn't satisfy the financial conditions of Kyrgyzstan to base stay. There was also a negative social resonance about the airbase stay.

Next day, on February, 4th, the government of Kyrgyzstan approved and directed to the parliament the law project has officially declared that they hadn't received the formal notification about the decision to close the base.

“We have been in discussion with Kyrgyz authorities on the future of Manas Air Base. These discussions will continue. At this point we have not received formal notification of a decision by Kyrgyzstan to close the base. We have a broad range of programs and interests we will continue to pursue with the government and people of Kyrgyzstan, - said [en] in the press-release of the American embassy in Kyrgyzstan.

Expert's Opinions

The political scientist Nur Omarov doubts that the American airbase will be called off Kyrgyzstan.

“There are some serious evidences that the American air base won't be made go out. There is the trusted information that the statement sounded last night has the certain forced character. I think, within next few days Bakiev will meet a number of the high-ranking officials of the USA. They will convince him to refuse the present position”, - Omarov told [ru].

The political scientist Marat Kazakpaev considers this decision as wrong, because the USA were for Kyrgyzstan the strategic ally in region.

«The USA is the world power. It has a great potential. We have the big humanitarian and economic help, a lot of grants for the non-governmental organizations. It was a good cooperation. The airbase also concerned military operations in Afghanistan. It is necessary to hold base untill the situation in Afghanistan completely will be stable. Besides everybody knows that Kyrgyzstan joined voluntary to the international anti terrorist operation in 2001, and provided the base”, - Kazakpaev told [ru].

One of leaders of opposition and the director of Institute of freedom and human rights Topchubek Turgunaliev is against the airbase withdrawal.

“Kyrgyzstan is in the depressing situation now. After that decision our relations not only with the USA, but also many west countries will worsen”, - Turgunaliev thought [ru].

What is on the Internet?

Diesel forum user Parazit79 tried to foreseen [ru] the future location of the airbase:

How the president of Tajikistan behaves recently, the base if moves, will move there.

Certain Lugovsa suggested [ru] three possible actions:

The only one question is a question which of three events will appear first.
earlier: Americans will offer more than Russian (Is it really necessary to them? The Uzbeks would drag the American base); the next wave of drug-jihad from Afghanistan (awfully it would not be desirable, but it is very real); or the Chinese will decide to fill the vacuum. The Kyrgyzstanis are afraid of last variant most of all, but it is visible future.

Livejournal user aka_b_m told [ru]:

I think that the base will stay more. Bakiev didn't tell anything new. He told about the withdrawal in 2005, without specifying terms. And now Russia still at all did not start to bargain with new administration of the USA. Russia is just trying to gain more trumps. But the card can lay down in any way.

Kyrgyzstan: What Did the President Mean?

Elena Skochilo — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:01:35 +0000

On January, 27th the President Kurmanbek Bakiev addressed to citizens of Kyrgyzstan. In his speech the President declared that created strategic documents must be realizing more actively. He also identified national interests and told about creation of two new structures (Secretary and Institute of the Strategic Analysis). In addition Bakiev declared about necessity to improve an efficiency of a system of management and power system in the country.

… once again I want to stress that at the present moment the participation of all interested forces, citizens is especially important in the advancement of Kyrgyzstan but not the separate political positions and personal preferences. We all have one home country, one land and any voice with constructive suggestions will be heard. Regardless of party and political preferences”, - Bakiev told [ru].

Both simple citizens and the majority of politicians couldn’t conclude anything unambiguous from the speech of the President.

Livejournal user, communist Sergey Kozhemjakin aka kojemyakin wrote [ru] in his blog:

“All past week, since morning till the night it was repeated to all Kyrgyzstanis: on January, 27th the President will address to the people. All held breath. Such event doesn’t happen too often. About what will Bakiev tell us? About shifts in the government? About changes of foreign policy vector? Here it is! On all TV to channels, including the Russian. And … - nothing! I listened to it, I read the text … Water! True water! Nothing concrete”.

The user of Diesel forum Befs understood nothing [ru].

“I started reading and stopped after 4 phrases … Was there anything written smart? Or all was of the sort? Intricate sentences with beautiful words which were written not for understanding? Can anybody tell me the main point of that message? I am sure; it is possible to place the main point in one simple sentence.”

The deputy of Social-democratic party in parliament Isa Omurkulov supports [ru] Befs:

“I didn’t understand what he wanted to say. Nothing concrete. Now we all know that the Secretary of the president is created. That is all. Nothing more”.

The director of Institute of the Strategic Analysis and Estimation Sergey Masaulov was impressed [ru] by brevity and capacity of a statement of the basic ideas of the message:

“The most important part of president’s message was that Kurmanbek Bakiev offers an idea of balance between traditions and innovations, democracy and some order, future movement and present support. It is good, when the country has development strategy”.

Livejournal user Azamat Imanaliev aka azzzik asked[ru] some questions after speech of the President:

There are questions about the organization of the appeal of the President.
Why did he stand against a ladder? IMHO, the office would look better.
There red color prevailed on the screen during his speech. As for me, it gives some impression of aggression.
Why was the message shown not only on the state and other local tv-channels, but also, for example, on the Russian First channel?
Why was the speech in the Kyrgyz language broad casted at 20:00, and in Russian - on an hour later?
Why were the Russian subtitles with spelling errors during performance?

Kyrgyzstan: Something About Patriotism

Elena Skochilo — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:57:44 +0000

Kyrgyzstani citizens are now legally obliged to listen to their national anthem standing with their right hand over their heart, reports Elena.

Kyrgyztsan: New Head of Administration or Next President?

Elena Skochilo — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 07:42:13 +0000

On 13th January Daniyar Usenov was assigned as the head of the president’s administration.

The previous chief of the president’s administration Medet Sadyrkulov left his post voluntarily. He said that “he has completed the task of the recovery of the state mechanism”. A lot of people called Medet Sadyrkulov a grey cardinal of the Kyrgyz politics.

Daniyar Usenov was the main director of the Fond of the Development of Kyrgyzstan. Earlier he was the vice-premiere and the major of Bishkek. Kyrgyzstanies are still remembering a lot of his absurd ideas which never have been completed.

Of course, users of Diesel forum have been discussing Usenov’s assignment.
User Trent revolted [ru]:

I won’t be surprised if one beautiful day Usenov becomes the follower. Hhis appearance in the president administration after all his awful business… I won’t doubt that he will be the follower…

User Cheber thinks that Daniyar Usenov will help to attract the investments to the Kyrgyz economic [ru]:

There is a large budget deficit. Probably Usenov will attract the investments and will ask to help the major businessmen, investors and donors.

User Professor Preobrazhenski suggests that Usenov will be a usual executor [ru]:

Probably, Daniyar Usenov will be like a tractor and will be realizing the governments decisions.

A head of the opposition group “For the Justify” Alikbek Jekshenkulov called Usenov scandal and offensive person. He also reminded that Daniyar Usenov often conflicted with other authorities.

The leader of oppositional group “For Justice” Alikbek Dzhekshenkulov named Usenov an odious and scandalous figure. He also reminded that Danijar Usenov quite often was in the centre of conflict situations.

Being the first vice-premier, he constantly clashed with prime minister Felix Kulov, parliament and some ministers, being the mayor, he had serious debate with Medet Sadyrkulov and some government officials. Besides, in my opinion, nobody remembers any question which he would finish, Alikbek Jekshenkulov told Akipress agency [ru].

However political scientist Toktogul Kakchekeev welcomed returning of Usenov to the Kyrgyz political arena.

To be honest, Danijar Usenov is that person, who is necessary to inspire a life in a national economy, to make its competitive. Danijar Usenov is the versatile person, and Kyrgyzstan can be proud of such sons, Toktogul Kakchekeev said to 24.kg agency [ru].

Daniyar Usenov didn’t comment his assignment.

Also posted on neweurasia.

Kyrgyzstan: From Sorrow to Happiness

Elena Skochilo — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:40:28 +0000

Early in June a sorrowful groan was heard from the Kyrgyz blogosphere: the great Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov died. Almost all Kyrgyz bloggers wrote about the death of a famous writer in their blogs.

Erne_raj wrote [ru]:

Chingiz Torekulovich is no more… But he left his scent in minds, hearts and history!

Baisalov told [ru]:

Aitmatov was more than just writer for Kyrgyz nation and Kyrgyzstan. He was the pride and the glory of the Kyrgyz people. He was the face of the nation. We haven’t enough words to describe the place which he took in the heart of every Kyrgyz. Aitmatov was a real artist. He didn’t copy off his heroes and didn’t put real life in his work: he was creating his characters. World knew about Kyrgyz nature, destiny and soul by way of Aitmatov. All Kyrgyz’s will be observed and appreciated through the prism of the Aitmatov’s mythology. We are living and we are condemned to live in the universe of Aitmatov, because the images of Aitmatov, heroes, persons, tragedies became our own life.

keenza said [ru]:

He was incredible profound man, one of me favorite writers. I was amazed with his attitude to the death…

sarannee grieved [ru]:

So great man died. What a pity. I was growing with his books and I now I have a feeling like something was taken away.

Blogger azzzik also was at the funeral ceremony for Aitmatov and published some photos.

Human nature can’t grieve for a long time and another event came to the Kyrgyz blogosphere soon: Euro Championship.

It is funny, but soccer united our nation and we all have been fan of Russia during these days.

dancheg was excited [ru]:

The windows were trembling from every goal; there were the happy shouts from every house, from every café. People were driving, signaling, triumphing and scanning. I haven’t seen such happiness and unanimity in Kyrgyzstan…

Khaan told [ru]:

All visitors of café were fans of Russia. All were crying and hugging each other after every goal. Seems all city became a fan of Russia. After the game between Russia and Netherlands there were a lot cars with Russian flags and the main streets were blocked by crowds of fans. Ole!

makaroff noticed [ru]:

All CIS was a fan or Russia. We are real brothers. We have nothing divided. Russia go ahead!

Let's hope that the future will bring Kyrgyzstan another happy events what could really unite our nation…

Also posted on neweurasia.