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POLITICAL SITUATION IN KYRGYZSTAN
NOOKATBEK IDRISOV,
Political analyst, Bishkek
Despite of the fact that after the Tulip Revolution (March 24, 2005) the new people came into power in Kyrgyzstan, the corrupt policy which had been pursued by the overthrown government was followed. The officials’ relatives were promoted to the state posts, the corruption was flourishing in the country.
Take, for example, the customs. Because of the high taxes all goods were imported and exported through giving bribes. Instead of changing the system President Kurmanbek Bakiyev instructed that the customs duties should be increased. As a result, the customs earnings have increased, but the system based on corruption and bribes still exists. Such is the picture in all the spheres of Kyrgyzstan’s economy.
In general, the people continue to be discontent, but the revolutionary situation, like in March 2005, is not observed now. The major reason is that the people are afraid of marauding and a civil war. So, the majority of the population wishes the peaceful outcome.
As regards the rally at the Ala-Too Square, the people distrust its organizers, former Premier Felix Kulov and his supporters, and do not regard them as leaders who would be able to create a prospering state because they do not differ from Presidents Akaiyev and Bakiyev. The current oppositionists bring people to the streets using money. But there are no new leaders in Kyrgyzstan who would be decent, well-educated and fair.
Meanwhile, Kurmanbek Bakiyev has already made concessions. He introduced the bill on amendments to the Constitution that would curtail his powers. However, on the whole, this would not solve Kyrgyzstan’s problem since it is not a people’s Constitution, but a compromise between two corrupted factions.
I believe that the rallies will not develop into a revolution, and Bakiyev will not take extreme measures. He is likely to make concessions as he did in November 2006 and sign the opposition’s Constitution that would establish a parliamentary republic in Kyrgyzstan.
It is another question if the new Constitution will solve the problems of the Kyrgyz people. I do not think so. It is possible that the parliamentary majority will be formed, and this majority will appoint the executive. The Cabinet will depend on the Parliament, but all the same the authorities will remain corrupted. Unfortunately, we are not building our state according to the principle of the rule of law.
April 12, 2007
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