Posted on 03/24/2005 5:28:04 AM PST by nuconvert
Protesters Seize Kyrgyzstan Government HQ
March 24, 2005
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Protesters stormed the presidential compound in Kyrgyzstan (search) on Thursday, seizing control of the symbol of power after clashing with riot police who had surrounded it during a large opposition rally. The defense minister was led out of the building by demonstrators.
About 1,000 protesters managed to clear riot police from their positions outside the fence protecting the building, and about half that number entered the compound and went into the building through the front entrance. Others smashed windows with stones, while hundreds of police watched from outside the fence.
Protesters led the defense minister out of the building, holding him by the elbows and trying to protect him, but others threw stones at the military chief and one protester kicked him. Interior Ministry troops led other officials out, and three injured people left in bandages, accompanied by a doctor.
Protesters, who appeared to control the building, threw papers and portraits of President Askar Akayev (search) out of windows. It was unclear where he was; he had been scheduled on Thursday to meet with an envoy from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (search), which had made overtures to help mediate the crisis.
Two protesters waved a flag from a top-floor window in the building, and others looked out of other windows as cheers erupted from demonstrators. Some furniture was cast out of windows of the seven-story structure.
"I am very happy because for 15 years we've been seeing the same ugly face that has been shamelessly smiling at us. We could no longer tolerate this. We want changes," said Abdikasim Kamalov, 35, proudly holding a red Kyrgyz flag.
The storming of the compound was the culmination of the first major rally in the Kyrgyz capital since
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Bush's fault. ;^)
I am under-informed on this one. Is this a great day for Freedom or a great day for Allah?
Me too. Is this good?
I can't keep up with all those countries with such hard names to say.
That's one of the nice thing about FR. Eventually some Freeper who can speak Kyrgyz and knows the nation's entire history and understands its political ins-and-outs will come along and inform the rest of us who are still trying to make out how to pronounce K-Y-R-and-G together.
The news stories never give enough background, and I suspect that's because they don't know any better than I do.
This may be another Ukraine or Georgia. It's hard to say, however, whether or not the opposition can unite the people toward freedom. The country is generally split (like so many of these in the area) - north/south in this case. North being more industrial and Soviet style - south being rural. Clans play a big role in this country. I am, however, optimistic. It certainly looks like another domino.....
Until someone who knows the background comes along with better info, I always go to the CIA factbook for a thumbnail sketch.
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/kg.html
Leni
I heard in TV that Akaev resigned and before he made this decision rejected Moscow’s offer to help to resolve crisis (whatever it means). Putin lost again!
Related article from yesterday........
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/03/24/2003247563
He Resigned?!?
Wikipedia is also a good source for a quick glance (and in this case seems to be better than the factbook)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrgyzstan
PonG
I don't need to read much further than 75% muslim, 22 years median age for males, poor, small opium production. Sounds like a smaller afghanistan, with a turkic powder keg.
I heard in TV that he resigned, Interfax reported but it is still unconfirmed.
Keep us updated, please
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