Comments on: Line on Bakiev http://www.registan.net/index.php/2006/04/11/line-on-bakiev/ Central Asia News -- All Central Asia, All The Time Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:46:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Democracy in Central Asia :: EDIL BAISALOV ATTACKED :: April :: 2006 http://www.registan.net/index.php/2006/04/11/line-on-bakiev/comment-page-1/#comment-148270 Democracy in Central Asia :: EDIL BAISALOV ATTACKED :: April :: 2006 Fri, 14 Apr 2006 03:42:19 +0000 http://www.registan.net/?p=6356#comment-148270 [...] The widening campaign against organized crime in Kyrgyzstan pits a hardy band of NGOs against some of the most deeply entrenched interests controlling politics - groups that are likely holdovers of apparatchiks that have been allowed to flourish in an environment in which everything (and everyone) has their price. Perhaps Russia, seeing a connection with its anti-narcotrafficking efforts, could increase its assistance? However, there seems not to be much that the U.S. can do - State should release a statement praising Baisalov and calling for greater security measures, but it would be difficult to complement the message with an expression of soft power - extra development assistance (or perhaps penalties for failed domestic security promises) would likely not be enough to turn the tide against the criminal syndicates. In any event, Kyrgyzstan is definitely backsliding, an indication, in my opinion, of the disconnect between people and the government - the latter can afford not to take the former seriously (as has been the case so far with the protests) and individuals do not perceive their stake in the government and try to avoid interacting with it at all costs. However, in order to expel the criminal plutocrats from power, people will need to be more engaged in political affairs so they can respond when politicians try to dupe them. As Edil Baisalov shows, the Kyrgyz people are not pushovers, and through grassroots political organization they can work towards a more transparent and representative government. Comments » [...] [...] The widening campaign against organized crime in Kyrgyzstan pits a hardy band of NGOs against some of the most deeply entrenched interests controlling politics – groups that are likely holdovers of apparatchiks that have been allowed to flourish in an environment in which everything (and everyone) has their price. Perhaps Russia, seeing a connection with its anti-narcotrafficking efforts, could increase its assistance? However, there seems not to be much that the U.S. can do – State should release a statement praising Baisalov and calling for greater security measures, but it would be difficult to complement the message with an expression of soft power – extra development assistance (or perhaps penalties for failed domestic security promises) would likely not be enough to turn the tide against the criminal syndicates. In any event, Kyrgyzstan is definitely backsliding, an indication, in my opinion, of the disconnect between people and the government – the latter can afford not to take the former seriously (as has been the case so far with the protests) and individuals do not perceive their stake in the government and try to avoid interacting with it at all costs. However, in order to expel the criminal plutocrats from power, people will need to be more engaged in political affairs so they can respond when politicians try to dupe them. As Edil Baisalov shows, the Kyrgyz people are not pushovers, and through grassroots political organization they can work towards a more transparent and representative government. Comments » [...]

]]> By: David http://www.registan.net/index.php/2006/04/11/line-on-bakiev/comment-page-1/#comment-147725 David Wed, 12 Apr 2006 21:29:03 +0000 http://www.registan.net/?p=6356#comment-147725 Today there was some kind of an assassination attempt on Edil Baisalov, who has been behind the protests against Ryspek. This raises the temperature a few degrees more... Today there was some kind of an assassination attempt on Edil Baisalov, who has been behind the protests against Ryspek. This raises the temperature a few degrees more…

]]> By: Amira http://www.registan.net/index.php/2006/04/11/line-on-bakiev/comment-page-1/#comment-147487 Amira Wed, 12 Apr 2006 12:38:49 +0000 http://www.registan.net/?p=6356#comment-147487 There is plenty of dissatisfaction with Bakiev, but I'd be very surprised to see a revolution like last March's. I get the definite sense that since the revolution didn't really change anything politically and since the economy is even worse off as a result, that a revoution isn't in almost anyone's interest. I do expect to see more pressure put on Bakiev to make some changes. There are many things he could do that probably wouldn't endager his position. I give him at least a year, if not longer, if he continues on as he has been. There is plenty of dissatisfaction with Bakiev, but I’d be very surprised to see a revolution like last March’s. I get the definite sense that since the revolution didn’t really change anything politically and since the economy is even worse off as a result, that a revoution isn’t in almost anyone’s interest.

I do expect to see more pressure put on Bakiev to make some changes. There are many things he could do that probably wouldn’t endager his position.

I give him at least a year, if not longer, if he continues on as he has been.

]]> By: The Agonist http://www.registan.net/index.php/2006/04/11/line-on-bakiev/comment-page-1/#comment-147196 The Agonist Wed, 12 Apr 2006 02:39:21 +0000 http://www.registan.net/?p=6356#comment-147196 <strong>Miscellania</strong> Nate, Nate, Nate, this is just sooooo wrong. (What was I saying about titillation earlier today? But it's about Britney and her fat ankles! Woot!) How about a Flash Memory Barbie? How stupid can the Washington Post get? Watch the video and decide for... Miscellania

Nate, Nate, Nate, this is just sooooo wrong. (What was I saying about titillation earlier today? But it’s about Britney and her fat ankles! Woot!) How about a Flash Memory Barbie?

How stupid can the Washington Post get? Watch the video and decide for…

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