Cautions on Kyrgyzstan
Chrenkoff writes in his blog to be cautiously optimistic about the changes in Kyrgystan, "Overthrowing a government is easy - it merely requires a relatively short burst of manic energy. The much harder part is building on the victory and ensuring that all that effort by the "people power" doesn't go to waste - it's a tough and gruelling and unenviable job." Read the rest of his analysis, he has some great insights and reminds us the European Union will be worthless in providing support to the Tulip Revolution's leaders and calls for a new Marshall Plan a la Wolfowitz for emerging democracies.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Kyrgyzstan and the Tulip Revolution
The people power that is sweeping through the former Soviet Union owes its start to Ronald Reagan who challenged Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" and the words of George W. Bush challenging us to help spread liberty throughout the world! And people laughed! See today's story in the Daily Telegraph, note how the old apparatchiks are in opposition to the people marching for freedom!
"Thousands of protesters first seized control of the streets of the capital, Bishkek, and then stormed government buildings to force the country's leader for 14 years, Askar Akayev, to step down.
"'It's the victory of the people," said one senior opposition figure. "But now we don't know how to stop these young guys.'"
And I hope you never do
The people power that is sweeping through the former Soviet Union owes its start to Ronald Reagan who challenged Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" and the words of George W. Bush challenging us to help spread liberty throughout the world! And people laughed! See today's story in the Daily Telegraph, note how the old apparatchiks are in opposition to the people marching for freedom!
"Thousands of protesters first seized control of the streets of the capital, Bishkek, and then stormed government buildings to force the country's leader for 14 years, Askar Akayev, to step down.
"'It's the victory of the people," said one senior opposition figure. "But now we don't know how to stop these young guys.'"
And I hope you never do
Freedom is Spreading!!
A great article on the freedom movement in Kyrgyzstan, which borders China no less! From Intercessors Network, if you would like to receive their regular updates you can e-mail Lars Widerberg at Intercessors.Network@Comhem.se
Protesters oust Kyrgyz government
The opposition in Kyrgyzstan says it has taken control of the capital, Bishkek, after overrunning the president’s palace. Protesters confronted supporters of President Askar Akayev before flooding into government offices. A prominent Kyrgyz opposition leader, Felix Kulov, made a televised appeal for calm after being freed from jail. An unconfirmed report by Interfax news agency said Mr Akayev and his family have left Bishkek by helicopter.
Demonstrations were stepped up after recent parliamentary elections, which the opposition said were rigged. Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court has annulled February’s controversial elections and recognised the former parliament as the legitimate legislature, Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency quoted court chairman, Kurmanbek Osmonov, as saying.
Palace stormed At the palace - also the seat of government - police melted away as hundreds of protesters flooded into the compound. Some appeared in windows, waving flags and throwing out documents. Officials were seen fleeing by the back door.
Mr Akayev had been due to hold talks on the crisis in Bishkek with a special envoy from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), but the meeting did not take place. Mr Kulov, a former vice-president who was jailed for embezzlement in 2000, appealed to Mr Akayev to “meet with opposition leaders in order to peacefully and constitutionally transfer power”. Observers say Mr Kulov is emerging as the leader of what is a fractious opposition.
Clashes Central Asia correspondent Monica Whitlock says events have moved at lightning speed, from a quiet demonstration in the morning to a full-scale insurrection. The demonstration in Bishkek grew rapidly from a few hundred people to as many as 10,000. Protesters chanting “Down with the Akayev clans” marched through the capital to the presidential palace, known as the White House.
Security forces surrounding the building repelled an initial attempt to storm the compound, but offered little resistance when the demonstrators fought back. Clashes erupted between protesters and government supporters in nearby Ala Too Square and there were reports of some injuries. The opposition has appeared united so far in calling for the president to resign and for new elections to be held. But our correspondent says the fact that some of the demonstrators are carrying pink banners while others carry yellow shows how difficult it may be for them to find common ground on more complicated political issues.
Opposition activists have also seized control of several regional government buildings in key towns in the south of the country. Russia, which considers Kyrgyzstan as part of its natural sphere of influence, urged the country to “return onto a lawful path”, AFP news agency quoted the Russian foreign ministry as saying.
A great article on the freedom movement in Kyrgyzstan, which borders China no less! From Intercessors Network, if you would like to receive their regular updates you can e-mail Lars Widerberg at Intercessors.Network@Comhem.se
Protesters oust Kyrgyz government
The opposition in Kyrgyzstan says it has taken control of the capital, Bishkek, after overrunning the president’s palace. Protesters confronted supporters of President Askar Akayev before flooding into government offices. A prominent Kyrgyz opposition leader, Felix Kulov, made a televised appeal for calm after being freed from jail. An unconfirmed report by Interfax news agency said Mr Akayev and his family have left Bishkek by helicopter.
Demonstrations were stepped up after recent parliamentary elections, which the opposition said were rigged. Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court has annulled February’s controversial elections and recognised the former parliament as the legitimate legislature, Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency quoted court chairman, Kurmanbek Osmonov, as saying.
Palace stormed At the palace - also the seat of government - police melted away as hundreds of protesters flooded into the compound. Some appeared in windows, waving flags and throwing out documents. Officials were seen fleeing by the back door.
Mr Akayev had been due to hold talks on the crisis in Bishkek with a special envoy from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), but the meeting did not take place. Mr Kulov, a former vice-president who was jailed for embezzlement in 2000, appealed to Mr Akayev to “meet with opposition leaders in order to peacefully and constitutionally transfer power”. Observers say Mr Kulov is emerging as the leader of what is a fractious opposition.
Clashes Central Asia correspondent Monica Whitlock says events have moved at lightning speed, from a quiet demonstration in the morning to a full-scale insurrection. The demonstration in Bishkek grew rapidly from a few hundred people to as many as 10,000. Protesters chanting “Down with the Akayev clans” marched through the capital to the presidential palace, known as the White House.
Security forces surrounding the building repelled an initial attempt to storm the compound, but offered little resistance when the demonstrators fought back. Clashes erupted between protesters and government supporters in nearby Ala Too Square and there were reports of some injuries. The opposition has appeared united so far in calling for the president to resign and for new elections to be held. But our correspondent says the fact that some of the demonstrators are carrying pink banners while others carry yellow shows how difficult it may be for them to find common ground on more complicated political issues.
Opposition activists have also seized control of several regional government buildings in key towns in the south of the country. Russia, which considers Kyrgyzstan as part of its natural sphere of influence, urged the country to “return onto a lawful path”, AFP news agency quoted the Russian foreign ministry as saying.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Alan Greenspan, Second Only to God or Austin Powers?
Interesting article on Alan Greenspan in the GQ online style mag, from the awestruck tone of the writer in meeting a man of such international power and mystery you would think he was second only to God! While I'm not a big conspiracy theorist after reading this I am think maybe they are all true and it is actually Greenspan at the center. Read the whole article, he doesn't come off nearly as powerful or politically astute as fans in the media make out to be. Although the best part comes near the end where it looks as though George W. Bush has probably beaten Greenspan at his own game.
Interesting article on Alan Greenspan in the GQ online style mag, from the awestruck tone of the writer in meeting a man of such international power and mystery you would think he was second only to God! While I'm not a big conspiracy theorist after reading this I am think maybe they are all true and it is actually Greenspan at the center. Read the whole article, he doesn't come off nearly as powerful or politically astute as fans in the media make out to be. Although the best part comes near the end where it looks as though George W. Bush has probably beaten Greenspan at his own game.
George F. Kennan, 1904-2005 RIP
How quickly we forget some of the original cold warriors. George Kennan first gained attention as "X" the author of the very long telegram from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow outlining the policy of containment which guided American foreign policy dealings with Soviet Union for decades. Or at least until Ronald Reagan decided it was time to tell the communists to "tear down this wall." How long ago it seems we feared the Soviet Union would unleash a nuclear weapon against us. But back to Kennan, while his policy of containment proved useful in the early days of the Truman Doctrine and fight against the soul-sucking communists, he was unwilling to change or adapt any of his thoughts on the matter. Ultimately Kennan did not believe in democracy nor did he think the U.S. had any business trying to bring liberty to other countries. In other words Kennan turned out to be another narrow-minded liberal elitist who was certain he was superior to the rest of us Americans.
Read the full story in the Washington Post
How quickly we forget some of the original cold warriors. George Kennan first gained attention as "X" the author of the very long telegram from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow outlining the policy of containment which guided American foreign policy dealings with Soviet Union for decades. Or at least until Ronald Reagan decided it was time to tell the communists to "tear down this wall." How long ago it seems we feared the Soviet Union would unleash a nuclear weapon against us. But back to Kennan, while his policy of containment proved useful in the early days of the Truman Doctrine and fight against the soul-sucking communists, he was unwilling to change or adapt any of his thoughts on the matter. Ultimately Kennan did not believe in democracy nor did he think the U.S. had any business trying to bring liberty to other countries. In other words Kennan turned out to be another narrow-minded liberal elitist who was certain he was superior to the rest of us Americans.
Read the full story in the Washington Post
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