Kyrgyzistan Uprising

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Evidently, the Kyrgyz president has resigned amidst mass protests. You can read about it here.

The thing I find the most enlightening is not the story itself, but rather by the apparant ethnicity of the protesters. I always assumed that the people of Kyrgyzistan would be mid-eastern looking. They actually look more similar to people of Tibet or Mongonlia - kind of quasi-far-eastern decent. Does anyone happen to know where this racial/ethnic divide takes place?

 

Well, actually, that's because Kyrgyzistan borders with Tibet

The muslim conquest stopped near Lake Aral beyond it's still largely Mongolian.
But because the Muslim religion was more advanced than the shamanism of the Central tribes, the Islam continued without force, and that's why (I think, I don't study these things) that Kyrgyzistan is a muslim nation and still kept it's Mongolian ethnicity(is that a word?).

 

The Kyrgiz revolution, the 'tulip revolution', or was it the 'pink revolution'? I just can't remember atm.

Anyway, the revolution in backward Kyrgiztan was because of 'rigged' elections.

Ironically, the newly-installed "President," Kurmanbek Bakiyev, now recognized the Parliament elected under allegedly fraudulent conditions.

If outrage over election fraud was the motive, why not new elections under international and neutral observation, I wonder. But probably that's beside the point anyway

This is not a democracy. This is just a crowd. - good article.

 

I am starting to wonder if we are going to see every loser in an election in less stable countries cry foul and march to the streets in case of a loss?

 

Joa,
till now we had the PR-savvy 'orange', 'cedar', 'tulip' and 'rose' revolutions.

I really fear the problem is that they will run out of names eventually. Horrors. Just imagine what will happen when the third 'rose revolution' has taken place, this time in Tschardomyrlikutschistan ... or the second 'lilac revolution' of Bashardinski-Nebolusk.

How about a 'red revolution' in Russia (with ribbons, lot's of them, not to be confused with a AIDS charity event) ... not to mention a 'green revolution' in Teheran, oops, iirc they both had them already when they kicked out the czar and shah ...

I wonder: Are revolutions copyrighted? Will Russia try to fine America for stealing a 'red revolution' for use in some backwater country that happens to be of strategic interest? Or how about that:

"Pink revolution is a copyrighted trademark of Hill & Knowlton"

The point on the plus side is that people won't notice (sorry, no pun, but the: Ooh, that people in central Asia look ... Asian ... well, is sooo illustrating) and claq for democracy anyway, no matter if an old thug is just replaced by a better dressed one.
In fact, it might well be that the short general attention span comes to the rescue and allows to recycle revolution names in the near future.

 

Well Akajev was not exactly a very democratic ruler and he had near dictatoric power in Kyrgyzistan which he abused quite often. Additionally he held fast to the soviet habits of corruption. Seeing him gone is a good thing in my opinion even if he was elected in a "fairly" democratic election. Kyrgyzistan now has the chance to be an example for the neighbouring countries of Uzbekistan, Turkemistan and Tadjekistan(sp?) which all are under clear dictatorships. I just hope they won't throw that chance away.

 

From that article I linked

As I see it, it is just about the egos of the politicos and some money, and I think the show will go on as usual. Not exactly a 'bright future'.

No pun intended, but I find the 'beacon of democracy' and 'shiny example' stuff as unconvincing from your mouth, as when it comes from Bush, Cheney, Rice or Wolfowitz.

Politics aren't about altruism. They have never been, and probably never will be.

 

It is a bright future compared to Kyrgyzistan's neighbours. Besides democracy is not about the politicians it's about the people. If the people feel cheated there is nothing that will stop this from happening again. Bakiyev is certainly not an altruist but the public pressure he now faces from the people might actually bring forth some democratic reforms. I do not think Kyrgyzistan will turn into an open democracy in a day but I am optimistic about the reforms happening even if they happen slowly.

 

Interesting article from todays New York Times: Kyrgyzstan's Shining Hour Ticks Away and Turns Out to Be a Plain, Old Coup