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Bakiyev ‘cohorts’ again striving for power
They plan to run in Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary elections
By Alisher Karimov
2010-07-15
BISHKEK – Kurmanbek Bakiyev is gone, but his legacy might continue through the coming elections.
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![Kurmanbek Bakiyev's supporters rioted May 14 in Dzhalal-Abad to demand the ex-president’s return. Now pro-Bakiyev politicians are planning to run for parliament. [STR/AFP/Getty Images]](/shared/images/2010/07/15/Bakiyevs-218_172.jpg)
Kurmanbek Bakiyev's supporters rioted May 14 in Dzhalal-Abad to demand the ex-president’s return. Now pro-Bakiyev politicians are planning to run for parliament. [STR/AFP/Getty Images]
![Kurmanbek Bakiyev's supporters rioted May 14 in Dzhalal-Abad to demand the ex-president’s return. Now pro-Bakiyev politicians are planning to run for parliament. [STR/AFP/Getty Images]](/shared/images/2010/07/15/Bakiyevs.jpg)
“Bakiyev’s return is impossible, but the spirit of Bakiyev’s regime and the fact that the new authorities are filled with Bakiyev’s principles is quite real”, former interim government Chief of Staff Edil Baisalov said. “You can appreciate this by the fact that the same people who served under both of the former presidents are again striving for power”.
Bakiyev’s Ak-Jol party members are running for parliament and have formed new political associations, Ata-Meken party leader Omurbek Tekebayev said.
Former Secretary of State Adaham Madumarov, who created the party Butun Kyrgyzstan; businessman Omurbek Babanov, who leads the Respublika party; and former minister of emergency situations Kamchibek Tashiyev’s party Ata-Jurt are all instances of Bakiyev’s continuing legacy, Tekebayev said.
The old regime could return if Bakiyev’s supporters form a coalition, Kazakhstani Institute of Political Solutions consultant Aleksandr Knyazev said.
“It is unlikely that all these pro-Bakiyev parties and movements will be able to form a single coalition before the elections or, if elected, in parliament, but it is possible that two or three of them could unite", Knyazev said. "And that would already be a force to reckon with”.
Election campaigns and the registration of parliamentary candidates have not begun, but hopefuls have started canvassing and inviting popular public and political figures to join them.
Ata-Jurt called Myktybek Abdyldayev into its ranks to become a council member and the party’s co-chairman. For nearly two years, he headed Bakiyev’s presidential administration.
Financed contenders have begun travelling and giving campaign speeches, according to reports from residents across Kyrgyzstan.
Ata-Meken, however, faces financial problems. Tekebayev’s supporters will show up at the polls, he said, but he did not exclude possibly allying with politicians who opposed Bakiyev in the past.
“There is still time to figure it out", said Tekebayev. "I have supporters in other parties. We need to sit down at the negotiation table”.
Bakiyev backers have a financial advantage, said Baisalov, who created his own party to run in the elections. “They have the financial capacity – they stole it”, he said.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) has encouraged participation in the elections by limiting registration requirements to a minimal fee, CEC Chairman Akylbek Sariyev said. The CEC does not impose requirements on the registrant’s financial capacity to run a campaign.
“Parties must deposit 500,000 KGS (US $10,870) to run for the parliamentary elections. The maximum (expenditure) for campaigning is 50m KGS (US $1.09m)”, said Sariyev.
Anyone who wants to register may, he said.
Bakiyev supporters will not openly declare their allegiance to the former president, said Adilet legal clinic head Cholpon Jakupova.
“None of the politicians from ‘Bakiyev’s cohort’ who are now trying to get into parliament and have created new parties will publicly say that they support the former president”, she said. “No one would say they want to return Bakiyev to Kyrgyzstan, even just as an ordinary citizen. This is a losing option”.
Knyazev agreed.
“All these people – that is, those generally called ‘pro-Bakiyev’ – are closely attached to the old regime by the financial ties that lie at the base of political relationships", he said. "They have lost a lot, and now they are ready for revenge. They, of course, would not say they are Bakiyev supporters ... but all of them will try to gain power and restore the former political and economic relationships".
Dzhalal-Abad vendor Sadyrbek Osmonov plans to vote.
“I will listen to what the candidates tell me”, he said. “If they are new, I will not vote for them. Maybe the ones who worked under Bakiyev did not make a good show of themselves, but there was no shooting or arson under them”.
Bishkek businessman Saigyn Aliyev disagreed but showed little enthusiasm about the choices.
“I cannot say that I like the new or relatively new politicians or, rather, their statements and programmes, but the old ones, the Bakiyev supporters, were no better”, he said. “I am going to vote against them. But this is choosing the lesser of two evils”.
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Reader Comments
The Kyrgyz and Kyrgyzstani, do not give up! Of course, the new government does not say anything to us, but every person must make his/her contribution to our happy future! Of course, I believe that our day will come, too!
Well, there is a simple way out. It is necessary to raise Stalin from the dead, and he will put Kyrgyzstan in order and establish Soviet authority within 48 hours.
How come chauvinist and nationalist Knyazev has become an expert? There are real unbiased observers not influenced by nationalism.
You are saying some nonsense here while the people need unity. You should not judge other people by yourself: "The north residents have never been one nation with the Osh people, only in the last decade. They hate us and they deceive us, this is in their blood, in their mentality." As they say, you are traitors.
I'm very sorry, it's true. For a long time, I thought this country was my home, loved it, did everything I could to make it prosper. Now this is not our homeland and our land. We will all go away soon, we have where to go to. You will stay, after all this is your land and I am sorry for you. Good bye my former fellow country men! While you are arguing those who should rule, they rule you.
Bring back your intellectuals from abroad. So many people left your country after the revolutions. You've lost so many bright and successful scientists who have been working in neighboring countries, including Kazakhstan. I believe they should be given a chance to govern Kyrgyzstan. Help them come back home. They are in charge of various companies and banks now, even in Europe. I am sure they miss their Motherland. Most importantly, allow Kazakhs to travel freely to Issyk-Kul. We'd better pay money to you than to the Turks. We miss the warm lake. Another request, please, let your road police officers take summer leaves. We are fed up with them begging for bribes.
Northern residents have never been one country with Osh residents, only in the last ten years. They hate us and cheat on us, this is in their nature. As for the fact that Ata-Zhurt and those who claimed that they would restore power to Bakiyev won parliamentary seats, it demonstrates the essence of politics.
People are liars and scoundrels! The people are suffering because of you. All of them were Akayev's and Baliyev's bootlickers. The fact is that everyone advertises himself/herself today and disappears tomorrow.
Gosh!
When will you have stability? Can't you understand they are using you and your territory!
Now everyone is striving for power to rake in money!! There are 29 parties in Kyrgyzstan and just three parties in Russia! It is necessary to follow them.
Under Bakiyev, the country was stable and prosperous compared to the current period and Akayev's rule. Akayev created so many problems during the 15 years of his rule that they still manifest themselves today. The country made no progress. Under Bakiyev, the country began to prosper and make progress for several generations. There were many catastrophes, misfortunes, deaths and illegal arrests under the current government. It all happened within six months. They still cling to power. You should judge for yourself who is better. It is always possible to accuse and manipulate unsuspecting people through the media.
ya its good enough
Why does our government pocket everything instead of putting in state coffers? Corruption is rampant. The election for Zhogorku Kenesh has been held, and what? Nariman Tyuleyev with his Ata-Zhurt party made it to parliament. They bought up all votes. He stole a lot under Akayev but he thinks that was not enough. He should not have been allowed to run, what do you think, people?
It is necessary to employ all means to stop Ata-Zhurt. If they come to power, Bakiyev will come back too and become president. SDPK should gain a majority of voices. The parties that are leading now showed off themselves during Bakiyev's era. Let's hope for the best.
I have an impression that Maxim Bakiyev has good campaign strategists who have studied well our mentality. He finances about four parties, including Ata-Zhurt. They focused their get-out-the-vote efforts on the south of the country and have a chance to win a majority of the vote because the south accounts for 45 percent of the registered voters. The other pro-Bakiyev parties - Respublika, Butun Kyrgyzstan and Sodruzhestvo campaigned mainly in northern Kyrgyzstan. Maxim's strategists want Ata-Zhurt to win a majority in southern Kyrgyzstan, while other parties are to divert votes in northern Kyrgyzstan from major rivals such as the SDPK and Ata-Meken, after which they will form a coalition in Zhogorku Kenesh. By controlling a majority in parliament, the Bakiyevs will be able to win the power back.
In my opinion, the most terrible thing is that the people are selling their future and the future of their children, grandchildren and the country for 300-500 soms. The pro-Bakiyev parties Ata-Zhurt, Respublika, Butun Kyrgyzstan and possibly Sodruzhestvo are using it. With financial support for the Bakiyevs, they will bribe voters. We should keep in mind that pro-Bakiyev politicians will be making all possible and impossible promises only to go back on their promises tomorrow. After tomorrow, they will sell a million excuses as to why they failed to deliver. They are notorious for that all over the world.
hope for the peacefull elections and hope that this new year will bring happiness in kyrgyzstan by the grace of almighty ALLAH.
Politician is a politician to make promises. A mature survivor of several regimes will never leave the political arena. This is his vocation in a sense. The trouble is that we, the people, allow them to use us. We should be demanding and strictly control them, so that they will think that being an MP is not only about privileges, and so that the authorities will not ask for money and vice versa. People vote for someone who is strong, and there is no alternative. But we have strong criminal leaders and other filth who dominate others. We must vote not for the "correct and clean ones,” but for those who can resist the Bakiyev regime. Time has not come yet for specialists in politics, we must reach a certain level of safety in the country. I wonder why the parties are announcing such promising platforms. We have an excess of freedom and disunity. Their thoughts fly to a bright future to space. Kulov understands the situation in the country a little, he is an experienced man. SDPK should better merge with Respublika and Aikol El if they are so outspoken in defending national interests. What prevents them from doing so? The same old political ambitions. Each party has people who should not be allowed to be in parliament - Baybolov, Zhaparov, etc. But unfortunately, they will get elected just as Tuleyev, Madumarov, Tashiyev. Unfortunately.
Tekebayev O.C. is the only politician who has not changed his position on the state system. Moreover, he proved to all that the most important thing for him is not to seize power, but to establish the best form of government for us. He is an honest, persistent and patriotic politician. He is the only pro-Kyrgyz politician. Even Kulov and Atambayev at one time worked in government agencies creating suspicious "tandems" for the only one purpose to cling to power.
The one who wrote this article has told the truth. It is necessary to inform people about it with the help of radio and TV stations. So much blood was shed under Akayev and Bakiyev. I cannot imagine now what will happen tomorrow. Let's us make a sober assessment of the situation together.
Finally, people have begun to understand that it is a waste of time to change the government. You learn everything by comparison. They wanted better but it turned out as usual. They had a hard time in Belarus too, but local people did not attack their president blaming him for their misfortunes. This is what European culture means. It is not incidental that Bakiyev is hiding there. He studies the country, its people. They sent him there hoping he will come back. The presidents are also people, while people do not take that into consideration. They are under colossal stress and they need to be left in peace. What if they installed their relatives to key posts? Would they eat too much bread? If they did, it would be possible to investigate the matter. He also wanted to work with loyal people, so what, you could have tolerated him until the end of his term and then see. He had a lot of money of his own, he was fed up. So, he was thinking of enriching the country with your help. It would have come with patience. Not a single president can make your life better instantly. Even with natural resources, it is impossible as time has proved, and this is clear.
Rome existed for 1,500 years under emperors and only 50 years after the parliament was established. Make your conclusions!
The Kyrgyz! Now we are voting not for a party with its platform, but for a person be it Atambayev, Teke, sary, tashy etc. They all have basically the same programs that were implemented under Akayev and Bakiyev. They've always cheated us. We always knew it but kept silent. And they will likely continue to deceive us. So, let's choose something new, for example "Zamandash" or something like that.
I am against Bakiyev's supporters.
This is "extreme democracy" which transforms into anarchy... a power vacuum. In this country, "every servant can govern the state", as Lenin used to say, which means a power vacuum. Anyone cannot govern the state. Why? Because none of the current politicians deserves it for the lack of intellect and mental capacity! Amateurs and thieves seek immunity from prosecution to protect themselves in a Kyrgyz way. Strip deputies and judges of immunity and they will immediately give up their posts. Regretfully, this is the level of our politicians. They were stealing for too long, that is why they run for parliament.
It is necessary to change mentality and have candidates undergo a polygraph examination. They all come from this corrupt system. It is necessary to make constitutional provision for the use of a polygraph to examine officials and the authorities. There are no patriots in this country to advocate the measure. They just talk at all levels and beg for loans and grants. The country will be geopolitically dependent or disintegrated. It will be an extremism hotbed, a drug transshipment base and a genetic test ground. Your children will have no future, but only chains that you are making now yourselves.
What can I say? The people should think who to vote for. It is clear that Butun, Ata-Zhurt and Ar-Namys are all pro-Bakiyev people. They should not be admitted to parliament!
Is Tekebayev, Atambayev or Otunbayeva any better than Bakiyev's people? They all worked for Akayev and Bakiyev at one time. Atambayev even received a certificate of acknowledgement from Bakiyev! They are all pro-Akayev and pro-Bakiyev, one can say! I think it would be correct to categorize them based on who worked honestly and who stole money from the government!
Wake up, Kyrgyz! Who are you giving your lives and your voices to? After all, all these Akayev, Bakiyev and Otunbayev supporters are all members of Soviet nomenclature, the party in power. They called themselves Communists, then in 1991 they became Democrats, and now they are trying to grab up pieces of power to get the pie – Kyrgyzstan – that has not yet been completely divided up.
Dear readers- This cannot keep up. After all, we all know full well that our officials – beginning with R. otunbayeva, Tekebayev, Babanob. Baibolov, Atambayev. Beknazarov and so on – have already ruled for 20 years and this is the result. And if it keeps up like this, then all of they need to go to prison as enemies of the people and we need to confiscate their property.
Akayev and Bakiyev, government and opposition… Come to your senses, people. There are no old and no new leadersl there are avaricious members of the ruling party, who, prior to 1991, called themselves Communists, then became Democrats. And, to this day they are struggling for the power they got used to under the Soviet government. Dig into anyone’s past, and you will find that at in their own day they were city committee and regional committee secretaries or leaders of soviet institutions and trade unions. And, it will continue this way until young and ambitious politicians who are also concerned for the country and of the people. But, when will that be? As for Kazakhstan’s and Uzbekistan’s stability, we will see about that when Nazarbayev and Karimov leave power.
They are all enterprising people, not Bakiyev’s or Akayev’s people. They are on their own terms. But being the wonderful changlings they are, they can handle any regime – be it Bakiyev’s, Akayev’s or Otunbayeva’s. They are indeed even adapting to this. Therefore, they are striving for power not to reinstall anyone, but to copy and create a comfortable environment for themselves. That is the whole truth! And they use noble slogans and projects to cover up their true intentions. Only his poor relatives and fellow villagers want Bakiyev to return now in the hopes of Bakiyev rewarding them for their public support. Nothing humans can do would surprise us.
First, think about the people! Only then think about politics!!! The people are suffering while the authorities are snatching up everything.
Dear compatriots!- Take stock of the thoughts in your heart and make the right decisions in the upcoming election. It seems to me that we need to hire qualified experts and not let those people who compromised themselves get near politics or the state authority. Those who were once colluders and thieves are going to lie and steal their whole lives. We need to live in a new way, otherwise we aren’t worth more than a kopek and we will not live up to the heroic deeds of our late warriors.
Every nation deserves it ruler, so let us prove that we deserve a better one like we proved on April 7.
I think that right now we lack a real leader in Kyrgyzstan. All the current leaders do not deserve to lead the country. Many people do not trust them, and this includes R Otunbayeva. She is playing with fire. I am very afraid that this will all end up with bad repercussions. I am surprised that the mistakes being made in appointing officials still continue. This happened under Akayev and Bakiyev. You can’t learn anything for history, apparently. Marat Bakiyev was the director of the Judicial Department and now it is his former assistant. Beknazarov appointed him director and now one is saying anything about it. It turns out there’s a manhunt for M Bakiyev, but his former staff is running the department. They probably didn’t find someone good enough. The deputies of the Bishkek City Parliament were all put in by Akjolov. Why they don’t dismiss them is also unclear. In general, I mean to say that the future of Kyrgyzstan is perilous. The results of the parliamentary elections are not a guarantee for the country’s stability. The consequences might be even worse because running in the elections are the party leaders who were members of the interim government – Tekebayev, Sariyev, Beknazarov, Atambayev. As I learned from Tursunbai Bakir uulu from one of his televised broadcasts, he said that the law enforcement agencies had had information about the June events in Osh and that he had even wrote the interim government about it, but the interim government for some reason took no action. The large part of the blame for the Osh events lies foremost with the interim government, since they were apparently busy with other important matters and underestimated the situation in the south. Can we believe the members of the interim government – including R Otunbayeva – after this? I personally think that they no longer have a moral right to run the country. If they get into Parliament, I think that nothing good will come of it. Patriots who care about the future of the country unite!
Nice job. We are going to seize power from one another until there is nothing left.
All up to us, Kyrgyzstan\'s citizens. We should be politically active and, what is very important, politically competent!!!
Everyone is striving for power, spending the money they stole from the people on promoting themselves. Meanwhile, women refugees with their children from the South are filling Bishkek’s streets. Where are these “Heroes of the South”, who – like Kamchibek Tashiyev – bragged that Osh had Cholponbai Tuleberdiyev protecting the people. He showed up at the hot spots and that was all? Of course, he needed commercials so that he can get a seat in parliament and keep on stealing from the people.
Brother Kyrgyz- I am saddened by my former country. I am often ashamed to see how the situation in Kyrgyzstan is covered on Kazakh media. Can it be true that there are no worthy, honest leaders left among our people who can lead the people? At this time, it seems to me that there is no point in putting sticks in the spokes of Roza Otunbayeva’s current government. Time will show who is who. –Respectfully your, Aman, a former compatriot
“Unfortunately, Kyrgyzstan’s politicians chose the most dangerous way of uniting the Kyrgyz: nationalism against the Uzbeks. After all, this is not constructive! We need a national concept like in Kazakhstan.” What are you talking about? Besides the political high-ups, Kazakhs in Kazakhs are the most degraded and humiliated of all. There are tons of examples!!! It seems to me that Bakiyev supporters are here as well as well-paid web brigades from Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, who are working again progressive change in Kyrgyzstan. But, my Kyrgyz brothers will all overcome this and be victorious! We Kazakhs believe in this!!!
I think it is wrong to absolutely say that the Bakiyev supporters are over with. It will take us a long time to break down the system they built, and that includes removing the people who served under them from the government. It is impossible to radically change everything. Changing out 100% of the leadership from ‘A’ to ‘Z’ would be stupid. The possibility exists to extract something positive and new from the old.
It would have been better to take some history lessons than to go through it all in practice. Regarding Bakiyev, all the comments are right. He will not stop at anything and he does not care who dies – Uzbeks, Kyrgyz or anyone else. The most important thing to him is diverting all the dirty money into his own pockets even if it goes through his stooges. Bakiyev has no homeland, no conscience and no honour. All that he has left is all that he ever had: being insolent, bloodthirsty and unprincipled; stealing money; and so on.
Tekebayev is a crafty politician, Beknazarov is stupid, and Atambayev is so-so.
Why did they do an overthrow? Was it so electricity would get cheaper and flower and other groceries would get more expensive? And, the traffic police are again working like they did under Akayev, shamelessly taking bribes.
The new government is no better than the old government – quite the opposite. Under the old one, there was at least peace and accord and the people did not fear for their lives like now. If the government cannot guarantee all citizens’ their security, then why do we need it?
What can the “newbies”, who were formerly pro-Akayev and pro-Bakiyev, offer the people and the interim government. They emerged as politician-businessmen and embezzlers of public funds and robbers of private under these presidents, making up a “united” parliament. For the interim government, “know how” means uniting all the Kyrgyz against the enemy in the South. So, what is scenario for this “unitary” parliament? Blood has been flowing from April 7 on up to today.
Sorry, but I do not like the way your present and structure your articles because it is difficult to read just quotes. Write normal texts.
Unfortunately, Kyrgyzstan’s politicians chose the most dangerous way of uniting the Kyrgyz: nationalism against the Uzbeks. After all, this is not constructive! We need a national concept like in Kazakhstan. We need to begin fundamentally education people – especially the youth – in tolerance or, more simply, patience for everyone who is different. Then, the people themselves will understand that they are still a bit savage.
We must understand that, presently, the situation is such that public awareness needs wake up and not allow the Bakiyev-ists to take part in the elections. Society is divided into – sorry for the slang – the ‘blacks’ and the ‘reds’. But, there is a large number of people who have not sided with the ones or the others not because of personal gain, but because they are concerned about the country’s devastation. There are a lot of people like us. Why don’t we pool our efforts and take actions instead of complain about the situation amongst ourselves. Up until now, all I did was think about it, but now I am calling on everyone to not let this mistake be made, to not let the country be looted. My first suggestion is to create a social monitoring agency with randomly selected members, as permanent oversight is antecedent to corruption.
How many fire engines did the Kyrgyz Emergency Ministry want to buy? Ten? 20? Even if they costs $50,000, how could he pocket millions of dollars? Tashiyev’s rivals have masterminded a paid-journalist campaign against him. He is rich because he is owned a chain of gas station even before his election to Jogorku Kenesh and certainly before his appointment as Emergency Minister.
Whatever parliament is elected, it will be incompetent since semi-criminal elements and clanist groups will take power. I think that the Central Asian countries are not yet ready for democratic institutions, as a parliamentary government requires implies a high democratic culture. The only possible option to preserve a stable, competent government is an authoritarian regime that gradually liberates the economy and politics according to the growth in the people’s knowledge.
Dear readers- We need to take into consideration the fact that everyone who now has a position and rules Kyrgyzstan rules and worked under Akayev and Bakiyev. Not a singly one of them is worth a dime. Beknazarov was under Bakiyev and he even served as Prosecutor General and stole cash. He stole enough to live for five years without want. He’s amassed it again and is going to live well for the rest of his life. Roza Otunbayeva served as Foreign Minister for several months under Bakiyev. What you don’t remember? Everyone did! We need to train new politicians. The party registers must have new names of qualified experts on them, but our old-timers won’t give any such a chance. Sorry, but we won’t get far like this!
We have no right to judge them without concrete facts. Each person should be his own judge. Why should the simple people suffered because of them? Let us just live as friends, as a good Kyrgyz people. Let us raise our children pure and decent and not forget our Kyrgyz traditions. Then, we will raise our country’s true patriots! As for these official, maybe they did something right or maybe the opposite, but they will answer for their actions in another life in front of Allah. I wish the true patriots of the future generation a bright future.
Regarding former Emergency Minister K. Tashiyev, he made millions of dollars by providing fire-fighters with low-quality fire engines under state contract. And, instead of being held accountable, he is now seeking power! The people’s money is being stolen in broad daylight! Who could support such a government!?
Naturally, I am sorry for the people who work hard and want to live in dignity. Two presidents have robbed the country – that is a fact. They are living abroad and laughing it up while the people are dying! At the state level, there was scheming: instead of jailing then and bringing criminal charges to power, they are seeking power! Former Emergency Minister Tashiyev lied, stole money from firelighters and supplied them with Chinese scrap metal instead of giving them quality engines. And now their engines are breaking down again. Where are we headed?
The gang seeks power!
Everyone has the right to run for office. Tekebayev, Atambayev, Sariyev and Beknazarov were also in power both under Akayev and under Bakiyev. We are a democratic country.
I sincerely advice the new goveronment in Kyrgyzstan to pass a law requiring each candidate for any official post to declare his personal wealth and present a proof of how it was acquired.
I don't wholly agree. But the point about the Bakiyev family's progress toward power is good. If they unite, new blood will shed and new scuffles will break out.