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Kyrgyzstan 2005 – 2010: history repeats itself

* [The press conferences]

 Bakiyev is in Kazakhstan, Belarus President says

19.04.2010 11:12

MINSK, 19 April (BelTA) - Kurmanbek Bakiyev is in Kazakhstan at present, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told media on 18 April.

“I am really surprised by the fact that those who know where Kurmanbek Bakiyev is remain silent about it. Today I heard it once again from the Russian mass media that Bakiyev’s current whereabouts is unknown. They know everything,” the head of state said.

“Kurmanbek Bakiyev is in the south of Kazakhstan together with his family: his wife, five-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed. In his words, the statements about his unknown location “are funny, weird and even blasphemous”.

“They know everything: where he is, and what he is doing,” the President noted. “This game is led by the Kyrgyz interim government as well as by Russia and Kazakhstan. I believe the United States have their hands in this also,” the Belarusian leader said. Alexander Lukashenko added: “I hope I will have a chance to discuss all these issues with the President of Kyrgyzstan personally and see whether I am right or not”.

The President noted that “my colleagues in Kazakhstan and Russia would not want the ousted President of Kyrgyzstan to stay on their territory as a criminal case has been opened against him”.

“You know, the most shameful thing is that the current interim government of Kyrgyzstan seems to be waiting for Bakiyev to leave Kazakhstan to put him on the international wanted list,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/president?id=518750

 Lukashenko: Bakiyev is still the legitimate president of Kyrgyzstan

19.04.2010 12:49

MINSK, 19 April (BelTA) – President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko still believes that Kurmanbek Bakiyev is the legitimate president of Kyrgyzstan. The Belarusian head of state made the relevant statement on 18 April.

“For me it is Kurmanbek Bakiyev who is the president of the country,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarus President added that the signatures under the resignation that mass media are demonstrating these days should not be trusted. “Even if he declared he would quit, you should understand the circumstances it happened. When he has small kids, the family to take care of, when he is blocked in the mountains and a civil war may break out. It is in this situation, in complete solitude that man happened to be. What decisions could he have made in these circumstances?” wondered the President.

The Belarusian head of state reiterated: “For me he is the president of a friendly country. I am sure that after 2-3 years Kyrgyzstan would have gotten back on its feet. The thing is it is a strategic territory which is now being torn apart by those who claim they have ‘vital interests’ there. The question is: what about interests of the Kyrgyz nation? It is all tied together and it is the core reason why the nation is poor. Kyrgyzstan is a poor country. They are poor people who are ready to work for food. Instead of fighting nearby, in Afghanistan, spending billions of dollars and killing people, the Americans might have helped the Kyrgyz nation, might have restored the country”.

“There are a lot of obvious glaring issues but everyone pretends they don’t see them. Then information attacks begin. It is total nonsense,” stated the Belarus President.

Commenting on the statements made by a vice premier of Kyrgyzstan’s interim government that the country willing to host Kurmanbek Bakiyev will have problems with Bishkek, Alexander Lukashenko said: “I would like to ask three rhetorical questions. First, what serious problems we can run into? Second, would Belarus not be able to survive these problems? Would we fold up tomorrow if we ran into problems with Kyrgyzstan? Third, if Kurmanbek Bakiyev was in Belarus today, the Kyrgyz interim government would benefit from it. Because they would be free to act the way they want if there was no president in Kyrgyzstan”.

The Belarus President remarked that what he said before is now true. “The entire south of Kyrgyzstan is ablaze. People take over administrative buildings in Jalal-Abad, Osh. People protect the brother of the overturned president and other relatives of his,” stated Alexander Lukashenko. “I would like to address the Kyrgyz nation: don’t let your president be betrayed. It would be a most severe mistake”.

The Belarusian head of state underlined: “Only his nation can hold a president accountable. No gangs, no groups, no opposition can, but the nation”.

“A real way out of the present situation, if you are as democratic as you say, would be declaring pre-term presidential elections and, for that matter, parliamentary elections. And letting everyone willing to participate in the elections, including Kurmanbek Bakiyev,” Alexander Lukashenko is convinced.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/president?id=518836

 Ousted Kyrgyz President Bakiyev leaves Kazakhstan

15:02 19/04/2010

Ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has left Kazakhstan, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry said on Monday, however, did not disclose his destination point.

"According to my information, Bakiyev has left Kazakhstan. I do not know anything about his current whereabouts," Askar Abdrakhmanov, a ministry spokesman, said.

The deposed president took refuge in Kazakhstan in the wake of violent riots in Kyrgyzstan two weeks ago. The new Kyrgyz authorities have said they will initiate an international investigation into the alleged crimes committed by him.

ASTANA, April 19 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100419/158651064.html

 Violence returns to Kyrgyzstan as ex-president leaves Kazakhstan (WRAPUP)

23:10 19/04/2010

A new wave of unrest hit Kyrgyzstan on Monday, with violent protests in the suburbs of the capital and the south of the country, while ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev left Kazakhstan for an unknown destination.

A new wave of unrest engulfed Bishkek’s northern suburbs on Monday morning, when some 2,000 people armed with sticks set several cars on fire and threw rocks at houses in nearby villages.

They tried to seize some 700 hectares of land outside the capital, saying it was theirs to build houses on, but landowners drove them away. The rioters then moved toward the capital, but were stopped by police. After negotiations with the head of the municipal administration they agreed not to enter the city.

The village of Mayovka, to the north of Bishkek, bore the brunt of the violence, with rioters burning buildings, throwing rocks at villagers’ houses and pillaging private estates.

Local 24.kg news agency reported that at least two people were killed and 13 injured in Mayovka.

Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the interim government, said on Monday evening that the situation in the village was under control, and police forces had detained about 40 initiators of the riots.

Southern violence

Ousted President Bakiyev fled the capital on April 7 amid violent protests that saw the opposition seize power, taking refuge in his home village near the southern city of Jalalabad, where violence also flared on Monday.

Supporters of the former president stormed the Jalalabad police department, the Kyrgyz 24.kg news agency reported, adding that "they were throwing Molotov cocktails at the building and the police fired warning shots."

First Deputy Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev said that the interim government was working to stabilize the situation in the country and to avoid causalities among the civilian population.

"We will not use weapons against civilian population," he said. "But I am ready to use even napalm against bandits."

Atambayev blamed the unrest in Jalalabad on Bakiyev’s allies.

"A slightly unstable situation in Jalalabad can be explained by the fact that [weapons] were imported there by criminals, by Bakiyev’s lot," Atambayev said. "These criminals, who could not fly with Bakiyev, stayed in Jalalabad."

Bakiyev leaves Kazakhstan

Bakiyev flew to neighboring Kazakhstan last week and the Kazakh government said on Monday he had left the country for an unknown destination.

"According to my information, Bakiyev has left Kazakhstan. I do not know anything about his current whereabouts," Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesman Askar Abdrakhmanov said.

He said that "perhaps" Bakiyev had left Kazakhstan with his family, but did not disclose the time of his departure.

Meanwhile, Bakiyev’s younger brother Kanybek said Kurmanbek was unlikely to return to Kyrgyzstan in the next couple of days.

"Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev will not arrive in the country today, or tomorrow. I cannot comment on when it will happen," Kanybek said.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Sunday his country was ready to provide refuge to Bakiyev and his family and provide whatever help they need.

The interim government in Kyrgyzstan says it wants to set up an international investigation into alleged crimes committed by Bakiyev. Charges have already been filed against some of his relatives.

Bishkek police return to their duties

Although the situation outside Bishkek remained very tense during the day, the police forces in the country’s capital were busy picketing the building of the country’s interim government demanding the resignation of the interior minister.

Bishkek police went on strike on Monday but later returned to their duties as acting Interior Minister Bolot Sherniyazov was replaced.

"The interim government has agreed to meet our demands and to appoint a new interior minister," Aibek Abdrazakov, a police negotiator, said adding that Bolot Alymbekov, a former deputy minister, had been appointed to head the ministry.

He said the Bishkek police were "satisfied" and would immediately return to their duties.

BISHKEK/MOSCOW, April 19 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100419/158657769.html

 Deposed Kyrgyz president in Minsk under Belarusian protection - Lukashenko

16:58 20/04/2010

Ousted Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his family are currently in Minsk under the protection of the authorities, the Belarusian president said on Tuesday.

"Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his family are in Minsk under the protection of our state and under my personal [protection]," Alexander Lukashenko said.

He added that Bakiyev had arrived in Minsk on Monday night.

MINSK, April 20 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/world/20100420/158669956.html

 Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s briefing in Minsk [Entire video of the press conference held in Mink]

20 April - Kurmanbek Bakiyev does not recognize his resignation as the Kyrgyzstan president. He calls upon the international community to not condone the coup in Kyrgyzstan.

http://www.belarus.by/en/press-center/video/kurmanbek-bakiyevs-briefing-in-minsk_i_159.html

 Kurmanbek Bakiyev has not quit

21.04.2010 13:16

MINSK, 21 April (BelTA) – Kurmanbek Bakiyev does not recognize his resignation as the Kyrgyzstan president. Kurmanbek Bakiyev made the relevant statement for the press in Minsk on 21 April, BelTA has learned.

“My nation is living through a dreadful tragedy. A gang of frauds have declared themselves the government and are committing mayhem, killing peaceful people and destroying homes. The country has been thrown decades backwards. As the president of Kyrgyzstan, as the guarantor of the constitution I do not decline my responsibility for the catastrophe and is ready to be held accountable in line with the law,” said Kurmanbek Bakiyev. He stressed it does not mean he is ready to leave the Kyrgyz nation at mercy of the bandits.

“I condole with the relatives and families of the dead,” said Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=520396

 Bakiyev calls upon international community to not condone Kyrgyzstan coup

21.04.2010 13:38

MINSK, 21 April (BelTA) – Kurmanbek Bakiyev calls upon the international community to not condone the coup in Kyrgyzstan. He made the relevant statement for the press in Minsk on 21 April, BelTA has learned.

The Kyrgyzstan president also called for an independent international investigation in the country and for punishing those behind the turmoil.

“I, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, am the duly elected president of Kyrgyzstan, recognized by the international community. There is no force able to make me forgo my oath, only death can stop me,” he said.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev stressed that the bandits that are trying to grab power do someone else’s bidding and have zero legitimacy. “Kyrgyzstan will not be anyone’s colony. My nation wants to live free and will live free. It will continue building a modern independent democratic state,” said the president.

He also added that on 7 April 2010 on the basis of the Kyrgyzstan Constitution the state of emergency was introduced in several parts of the country. “I would like every Kyrgyzstan citizen to understand that by executing orders of the bandits they are outlawed and become accomplices to their crimes, with all the ensuing consequences. Punishment for the crimes is inevitable,” said Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

He called upon leaders of the international community “to not set a precedent by recognizing the bandits as the legitimate authority”. Kurmanbek Bakiyev insisted on an independent international investigation and punishment for those guilty of killing people, pillage and fomentation of ethnic discord.

The Kyrgyzstan president also addressed the political leaders of the CIS states. “Our freedom and independence are less than two decades old. Don’t back down before the brute force, you are responsible for your people,” said Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Addressing the citizens of Kyrgyzstan, the president remarked: “Don’t believe that we are alone. We have a lot of reliable friends. We can rely on them when the time is dire and save the country from the major disaster.” Kurmanbek Bakiyev promised to do his outmost to return the life in Kyrgyzstan into the constitutional field and will not allow bandits to determine the destiny of the Kyrgyz nation under any circumstances. He is convinced that the Kyrgyz nation has the will to overcome the turmoil.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=520424

 Belarus to provide humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan

21.04.2010 15:59

MINSK, 21 April (BelTA) – Belarus will provide humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kyrgyzstan in Minsk.

“We have taken a decision to provide humanitarian assistance to the Kyrgyz people,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian head of state asked Kurmanbek Bakiyev to recommend what kind of things are most needed now in Kyrgyzstan. “While you are here we want to organize the humanitarian shipment to Kyrgyzstan. We would like you and the embassy to think over what kinds of things and what kind of help are most needed in Kyrgyzstan today,” the President said.

“We will do everything to help. But you need to recommend and help us organize this aid,” the Belarusian President said. http://www.belta.by/en/news/president?id=520550
 Deposed Kyrgyz President Bakiyev refutes resignation (WRAPUP)

16:40 21/04/2010

Ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has denied claims made by the Central Asian Republic’s interim government that he has resigned from his post as president and said was ready to answer to the law. "There is no power which will make me resign from the presidential post," he said.

Uprisings broke out in Kyrgyzstan on April 6, spreading across the country and lasting several days. Bakiyev was deposed and an interim government was formed under Roza Otumbayeva. Bakiyev fled to neighboring Kazakhstan on April 15.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced on Tuesday that Bakiyev had arrived in Minsk on Belarus’s invitation and pledged to provide "personal" protection to the ousted president.

Bakiyev called on Wednesday for world leaders not to recognize the Kyrgyz interim government and expressed his condolences to the families of those who died in the uprisings.

"Kyrgyzstan will not be anyone’s colony. It will continue to build a democratic state," he said.

Kyrgyz interim Deputy Prime Minister Temir Sariyev said Bakiyev should call for his entourage to stop their attempts to organize riots.

Sariyev in an interview to the Kyrgyz 24.kg news agency also expressed his hope that the new government would dismantle the authoritarian regime, establish a balanced governmental system based on elections and free will, and would follow an open, transparent economic policy. Earlier on Wednesday, Kyrgyz interim Prime Minister Roza Otunbayeva ordered police to shoot and kill looters in the ex-Soviet Central Asian republic.

On Monday morning, some 2,000 people armed with sticks set several cars on fire and threw rocks at houses in the northern suburbs of Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, claiming their right for land in local villages. Five people were killed, including a Kazakh and Azerbaijani residents, and at least 30 injured in clashes with villagers.

According to Kyrgyz law, citizens are allowed to protect their property using weapons.

On Wednesday morning, the militia in the Kyrgyz capital was mobilized to restrain squatters in suburbs near Bishkek.

Otunbayeva has called for people in the country to remain calm, prevent provocations, and fight arsonists and others trying to destroy public peace and interethnic harmony.

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will present a report on the situation in Kyrgyzstan at the next meeting of the Collective Security Council, which date has so far not been determined, the press secretary of the organization, Vital Strugovets, said adding that the decision of using the collective rapid reaction forces to stabilize the situation in Kyrgyzstan will be made on the Collective Security Council level.

MINSK, April 21 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100421/158685090.html

 Kyrgyzstan can get back to normal only with international aid

21.04.2010 18:55

MINSK, 21 April (BelTA) – The situation in Kyrgyzstan can get back to its peaceful state only with assistance of international bodies. The opinion was voiced by Sergei Kizima, Doctor of Politics, Head of the International Relations Chair of the Management Academy under the aegis of the Belarus President.

Commenting on the armed power takeover in Kyrgyzstan, Sergei Kizima said that “a very interesting geopolitical game with multiple-turn strategic solutions is unfolding”. Belarus acts on the side of the international law, constitutional rights and freedoms, which are guaranteed to the Kyrgyz nation.

According to the expert, the decision to welcome Kurmanbek Bakiyev in Belarus was justified from the point of view of morality and the international law, especially in view of the present situation in Kyrgyzstan when the country is sunk in anarchy, robberies and pillage. “Everything is complicated by the fact that in Kyrgyzstan and neighboring Afghanistan a large amount of illegal drugs is concentrated. The complication requires a powerful centralized government, which is elected according to the constitutional procedure. To allow and legitimize an illegal takeover of the authority in this area is to set a very sorrowful precedent,” said Sergei Kizima.

“If the authority produced by violent actions in Kyrgyzstan is recognized, there is no guarantee that in three months or half a year another takeover that will have to be approved of will not happen. There is no guarantee that a solid legitimate political system can be built with non-constitutional actions. The approach is prone to disorders, spread of drugs and the rise of various drug-related structures to power,” believes the source. In his words, in a country like Kyrgyzstan “the government should be strong and its legality should be protected at the international level”.

Sergei Kizima approved of the CSTO’s decision to consider possible ways to settle the situation in Kyrgyzstan at the next session of the Collective Security Council. He remarked that it “should have been done right after the first revolutionary steps and not after the Belarus president made sound remarks about this international structure”. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization can interfere, too, for the sake of resolving the conflict faster. “China’s response to Kyrgyzstan events is the most interesting thing we can expect in the next few days. Russia and the USA have already voiced their views: virtually legitimization of the regime that rose to power by means of submachine guns but still does not control the country”.

Asked about how the situation in Kyrgyzstan can be stabilized, Sergei Kizima said that it would be ideal if the legitimate president was re-instated in his office. If it fails, he believes it would be necessary to hold new presidential elections soon. The elections should involve various candidates, including Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=520736

 Andrei Kalenchits: Kyrgyz crisis can be solved only with Bakiyev’s involvement

22.04.2010 13:02

MINSK, 22 April (BelTA) – The situation in Kyrgyzstan may be stabilized only with the direct involvement of Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Andrei Kalenchits, deputy director of the international public association for social protection of the rights children and youth told BelTA.

It is obvious that the situation in Kyrgyzstan has spiraled out of control. “It can not be normalized without Kurmanbek Bakiyev,” says Andrei Kalenchits. He believes that the presidential elections would be the only sensible decision in this situation. “The appraisal of President Bakiyev’s ruling should be made within the law, in civilized manner rather than in street clashes with stones and guns. Call the elections; let the people of Kyrgyzstan decide who should be in power. The government should be changed in legitimate way, these are no the Dark Ages after all,” Andrei Kalenchits believes.

Andrei Kalenchits marked as ‘criminal’ the inactivity of international organizations and world powers that refrained from getting the Kyrgyzstan disorders. “Why does Russia keep silent? Once it sent its troops to Abkhazia. Why does it keep aloof from the Kyrgyzstan unrest?” asks Andrei Kalenchits.

He believes than Kyrgyzstan badly needs international assistance to carry out fair presidential elections with the obligatory participation of Kurmanbek Bakiyev as the incumbent president and restore peace.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=521030

 Bakiyev says pressured into writing resignation letter

12:38 23/04/2010

Kyrgyzstan’s deposed president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, said on Friday he was pressured into writing his resignation letter.

"When I was writing a resignation letter, there was a threat from those who seized power in the military takeover," he said at a news conference in Minsk.

After Bakiyev left Kyrgyzstan last week, the interim government announced he had written a resignation letter, which was published in the media.

On Wednesday, however, Bakiyev said he had not resigned and called on the international community not to recognize Kyrgyzstan’s interim government.

MINSK, April 23 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100423/158712514.html

 Bakiyev says he received assault threats

23.04.2010 13:11

MINSK, 23 April (BelTA) – During the anti-constitutional coup in Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his close associates received assault threats, Kurmanbek Bakiyev told a press conference in Minsk.

According to him, the law-enforcement bodies and the national security service in Kyrgyzstan “are completely demoralized”. “What protection and security you can talk about when they appoint a new Interior Minister every day,” Kurmanbek Bakiyev said,

During the coup in Kyrgyzstan he was left with almost no security at all. “My body guards got threat calls. A house of one of them was set on fire. There were only two or three men who decided to not leave me under any circumstances,” Kurmanbek Bakiyev said. He also spoke about organized provocations of a group of aggressive young people who in fact disrupted a rally in Osha. “We held a rally in Jalal-Abad which gathered around 30,000 people. All people were saying that they knew that the coup was in progress. There were plans to hold a similar rally in Osha. But they had the microphones switched off because of the provocateurs,” Kurmanbek Bakiyev said.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=521736

 Bakiyev announces resignation following Putin’s recommendation

23.04.2010 13:55

MINSK, 23 April (BelTA) – At a press conference in Minsk Kurmanbek Bakiyev said that he took a decision to step down following the recommendation of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, BelTA has learnt.

“My statement was made in the circumstances when I could not act otherwise,” the Kyrgyz leader said.

"During my stay in southern Kyrgyzstan I spoke by telephone with President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan and Russian Premier Putin. We reached a common point of view then, which was emphasized by Vladimir Putin. Nobody will be blaming you for what happened in Bishkek, he said, but if a civil war breaks out suddenly, then you will be made fully responsible," said Kurmanbek Bakiyev. He stressed the point that he had consented to resignation exclusively in order to prevent further escalation of violence in Kyrgyzstan.

“I said then I was ready to step down only if all the promises would be kept: no more persecutions of my fellow people and relatives. But my people are still severely persecuted. Why aren’t these promises honored?” Kurmanbek Bakiyev asked.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=521776

 Bakiyev accuses CSTO of inaction

23.04.2010 14:05

MINSK, 23 April (BelTA) – President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kyrgyzstan accuses the CSTO member states of doing nothing to resolve the situation in Kyrgyzstan. He made this statement at a press conference in Minsk on 23 April.

According to Kurmanbek Bakiyev, such position of the CSTO members can do any good. “No reaction has come from the CSTO. When I was in the south and when armed bandits followed me everywhere, the CSTO did not have an opportunity to contact me indeed. But I have been in Belarus for the fourth day. I wish at least one colleague tried to contact me after what has happened,” Kurmanbek Bakiyev said.

The President of Kyrgyzstan thanked Belarusian head of state Alexander Lukashenko for the help and support. He believes that the Belarusian leader “demonstrated not only his great human decency, but also acted as a brave statesman. Alexander Grigoriyevich showed respect not only to me but to the whole people of Kyrgyzstan. This is how I see his actions,” he said.

According to Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the leaders of the other states were probably not courageous enough to state their positions. “I communicated with other state leaders on numerous occasions, we had talks during informal summits. I think they support me but something does not let them say it publicly. Mostly likely they are afraid of getting into a situation like mine or there are some other factors,” the Kyrgyz leader said.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=521786

 Russia ‘framed Bishkek’ with Manas base rent cancellation

23.04.2010 14:28

MINSK, 23 April (BelTA) – Russia framed Bishkek in the matter of Manas base rent, Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev told a press conference in Minsk on 23 April.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev said that many had wondered whether he sees Russia’s trace in the Bishkek events. “Why is nobody talking about America or China? We have no problems in relations with China. It is a country that develops major investment projects with us, in particular, railway ones. We also have complete understanding with the United States after the rent of the Manas base was revised,” he said.

“Then questions emerge. First and foremost, Russia imposed customs duties on the fuel and lubricants Kyrgyzstan buys. It is a shock for the Kyrgyz economy. Moreover, Kyrgyzstan is a WTO member. I have also repeatedly stated that Kyrgyzstan is ready to enter the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. Our experts have already worked in this area. I was indignant, I asked Russia’s leadership why they did it since Kyrgyzstan is a EurAsEC member and all sanctions with regard to the members should be agreed beforehand. It was Russia’s blow to our economy”.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev pointed out political considerations: “To tell the truth, Russia’s leadership did not like that Americans were renting our base Manas. Although a military base was rented for Russian fighters in Kant nearby. The Manas base was used by the USA to only deliver cargoes to Afghanistan”.

According to the Kyrgyz leader, he had an extensive talk with Medvedev and Putin and was openly told that the situation does not suit Moscow. It was obvious that it was an irritating factor in Bishkek-Moscow relations. Then the Kyrgyzstan president made a promise to the Russian leadership that he would unilaterally avoid the rent contract with the USA. “But I told them plainly that it would affect our economy. Kyrgyzstan is a poor country. Russia accepted our view and promised a preferential loan of $300 million and a $150 million grant,” reminded Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

“I went for it. But after we broke the contract with the USA, the next day the leadership of Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan all together said they were ready to offer their bases for transporting US cargoes to Afghanistan. It turned out only Kyrgyzstan was against it while all the others were in favor. Essentially it was a spat on the face from the Russian leadership,” said Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

He said that Moscow was extremely unhappy when Kyrgyzstan restored the Manas rent contract with the USA. “It is a major irritating factor. But I didn’t understand why. I had always stressed that the situation in Afghanistan directly affects the security in the entire Central Asia. If things go haywire in Afghanistan, it would directly affect our national security,” said the Kyrgyzstan leader.

Yet Kurmanbek Bakiyev made it clear that he has no proof that the turmoil in Kyrgyzstan was the doing of Russian secret services. “This is why I insist on setting up an independent international commission that would determine what happened in very deed,” he added.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=521810

 Bakiyev: US Department of State condemned Kyrgyz opposition at first

23.04.2010 14:38

MINSK, 23 April (BelTA) – The US Department of State initially condemned the Kyrgyz opposition, Kurmanbek Bakiyev told a press conference in Minsk on 23 April.

“They issued a statement immediately condemning the opposition and stated that the coup plotters should be brought to responsibility,” the Kyrgyz head of state said.

“But then there came complete silence on their part. Why? I think the Russian mass media have apparently played an important role here. The situation in Kyrgyzstan was covered in such a biased way that the only opinion you could get was the one created by the Kyrgyz interim government and Russia. In fact it was an information sabotage campaign,” Kurmanbek Bakiyev believes.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=521816

 Ousted Kyrgyz president denies validity of resignation

14:54 23/04/2010

Deposed Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said on Friday he was pressured into writing a resignation statement and the necessary legal procedures have not been completed to make his exit official.

"The parliament was to consider my resignation, but this has not been done," Bakiyev said on Friday during a news conference in Minsk He accused the interim government of being hasty in announcing he had stepped down and said he was under pressure when he wrote the resignation statement.

"When I was writing the resignation letter, there was a threat from those who seized power in the military takeover," he said. After Bakiyev left Kyrgyzstan last week, the interim government announced he had written a resignation letter, which was published in the media. On Wednesday, however, Bakiyev said he had not resigned and called on the international community not to recognize Kyrgyzstan’s interim government.

Last week, interim Prime Minister Roza Otunbayeva showed journalists a copy of a fax that she claimed was Bakiyev’s resignation letter.

Bakiyev’s brother said the faxed document was a fake.

Despite denying his resignation, Bakiyev said he has no intention of returning to Kyrgyzstan as president.

He also said he would not form a government in exile.

Bakiyev, who fled the former Soviet Central Asian republic amid violent protests and has now taken refuge in Belarus, said he had no intention of seeking political asylum in any country, but did not specify how long he would stay in Belarus, where he arrived on Monday at the invitation of President Alexander Lukashenko.

"Soon I will turn to the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and to the G8 countries to ask them to support the Kyrgyz people," Bakiyev said.

He added that the Collective Security Treaty Organization could engage in more active support of Kyrgyzstan, but accused some CSTO members of ignoring the situation.

"This will not lead to anything good," he said.

Kyrgyzstan’s opposition took power on April 7 amid violent unrest in which more than 80 people died. There has been sporadic violence since, but nothing like the events at the start of April. MINSK, April 23 (RIA Novosti) http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100423/158714831.html

 Bakiyev has no plans for political asylum

23.04.2010 15:01

MINSK, 23 April (BelTA) – Kurmanbek Bakiyev has no plans to seek political asylum anywhere. He made the relevant statement at a press conference in Minsk on 23 April, BelTA has learned.

“I am not going to seek political asylum anywhere. It is not the question,” said Kurmanbek Bakiyev. He added that he is not going to set up a government in exile. Speaking about his staying in Minsk, he said that Alexander Lukashenko had welcomed him as the Kyrgyzstan president. Kurmanbek Bakiyev has no idea yet about how long he will stay in Minsk.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev said he is busy preparing an address to the UN, OSCE, G8, the European Union, and the CIS to request aid to Kyrgyzstan. He believes the current wait-and-see attitude of the global community is incorrect.

“Why does OSCE shows a vivid interest in any elections in the CIS space? Why does it keep silent in this situation when the country is overwhelmed by total chaos and disorder?” wondered Kurmanbek Bakiyev. He also added that it is difficult to predict how the situation in Kyrgyzstan will develop.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev blamed himself for failing to acquire information about preparations for the armed coup. “It is my fault. I might have known it and have prevented it. But the special services didn’t warn me that an armed coup was in preparation,” he said.

In his opinion, it is now necessary to cast away emotions and use reason to find a prudent way out of the situation.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=521834

*[CIS and CSTO]

 Post-Soviet security group against intervening in Kyrgyz affairs

17:44 15/04/2010

A Russian-led regional security bloc will not be intervening in the current political standoff in Kyrgyzstan, which sparked violent opposition protests last week, the head of the organization said.

At least 80 people were killed and more than 1,500 injured in the unrest, which saw the opposition take power and forced President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to flee the capital.

"Our stance is that the current situation is purely a domestic affair of Kyrgyzstan," said Nikolai Bordyuzha, the secretary general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

The CSTO comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Russia’s national security strategy describes the CSTO as "a key mechanism for countering regional military challenges and threats."

Bordyuzha said the CSTO has been long following the situation in Kyrgyzstan and predicted escalation of tensions.

"In this regard a group headed by a CSTO deputy secretary general was sent to Kyrgyzstan and has worked there since April 8," he said adding that the main task of the group was to study the situation from inside the country and prepare a report.

Bordyuzha also said he believes that under the current circumstances the most important goal should be to do everything possible to resolve Kyrgyzstan’s acute social problems and restore its economy.

The Russian government has expressed readiness to provide aid to Kyrgyzstan’s interim government. Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said on Wednesday Russia would give Kyrgyzstan a $20 million grant and a $30 million concessional loan to help stabilize the economic situation in the former Soviet Central Asian republic.

VIENNA, April 15 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20100415/158595649.html

 "Serious questions" for CIS countries providing refuge to Kyrgyz Bakiyev

11:19 17/04/2010

The Kyrgyz interim government will have "serious questions" to ask of any CIS country that provides refuge to ousted Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Deputy Prime Minister of the interim government Azimbek Beknazarov said.

"The CIS republics will not give Bakiyev refuge," Beknazarov told journalists.

He denied claims that Bakiyev had traveled from Kazakhstan, where he is known to have spent several days, to Minsk in Belarus.

"[Belarus President] Lukashenko would not go there" because between countries there "exists agreements on the extradition of criminals" He also announced that "in bilateral relations between states, serious questions will arise" if any CIS country gives refuge to Bakiyev.

BISHKEK, April 17 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/world/20100417/158624270.html

 Igor Karpenko: Bakiyev has been betrayed by his CIS, EurAsEC allies

17.04.2010 16:32

Kurmanbek Bakiyev has been in fact betrayed by his allies in the CIS and EurAsEC, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives’ permanent commission for international affairs and relations with the CIS Igor Karpenko told media on 17 April.

Every state has its social, economic and political problems, which should be settled in line with the constitution, Igor Karpenko said. “Kurmanbek Bakiyev has offered the opposition leaders to come to the negotiating table. He received nothing in response. As a result, Bakiyev steps down,” he said.

According to Igor Karpenko, any statements and assessments should comport with the country’s national legislation. Kyrgyzstan had a coup d’etat, and this event should be considered from the point of the international law. “More often we witness double standards in international relations. As for Kyrgyzstan, it is clear that a new policy is emerging in the former Soviet Union. It was not a revolution. It was almost a riot, with property embezzlement and its new redistribution,” the deputy said.

http://www.belta.by/en/pointOfView?id=518376&pointOfView=1

 CSTO’s ability to protect members’ interests doubted

17.04.2010 19:50

MINSK, 17 April (BelTA) – Former Chairman of the International Affairs and National Security Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, political analyst Nikolai Cherginets doubts the ability of the Collective Security Treaty Organization to protect interests of its member-states and to fulfill its obligations to ensure security of each state. Nikolai Cherginets made the relevant statement as he commented on the political situation in Kyrgyzstan.

“I was in favor of creating the CSTO as an organization for tight cooperation with all countries and an instrument to enhance relations between them. Even the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly was created following my initiative. But now we have a question: what did we create the CSTO for if there are murderous developments and a coup in [Kyrgyzstan]? The CSTO keeps back, including many leaders of the member-states,” he said.

Nikolai Cherginets believes that Kyrgyzstan events directly threaten the collective security. “The CSTO should have said its word if necessary, should have provided assistance in resolving the problem, should have made things clear. Unfortunately it didn’t happen,” he said.

As part of its direct obligations the CSTO might have acted as a mediator between the opposition and Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, might have prevented the dramatic scenario, remarked the source.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=518476

 CSTO can help stabilize situation in Kyrgyzstan, Sergei Maskevich says

19.04.2010 18:56

MINSK, 19 April (BelTA) – The legal framework of the CSTO allows its participants who act as international mediation to provide assistance to Kyrgyzstan, Sergei Maskevich, chairman of the commission for international affairs and links with the CIS of the House of Representatives of the Belarusian National Assembly, said in an interview with BelTA.

“I believe that the CSTO and other international organizations set up by the former Soviet Union republics have the potential to perform stabilizing functions. On the other hand, there are no examples when such interference has proved efficient.” For the mediation to be a success, a high level of trust between the partners is needed, Sergei Maskevich is sure.

Holding early presidential and parliamentary elections would be the best scenario for Kyrgyzstan now. “Unfortunately, this will not improve the economic situation. Yet it will bring certain political stability. And of course the elections should be observed by international organizations,” Sergei Maskevich said.

The events in Kyrgyzstan teach a very important political lesson, Sergei Maskevich thinks. “Any revolution, any non-evolutionary change of power is fraught with unpredicted consequences. And no one even those who come to power with the help of such revolutions are safeguarded against them.” The worst thing is that they undermine the economy and wellbeing of people.

“It is hard to imagine who would win from destabilizing the situation in the country bordering on Afghanistan, who is in a very complicated geopolitical situation. I think this is fraught with serious consequences for many,” the Belarusian MP said.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=519162

 Bakiyev accuses CSTO of inaction

23.04.2010 14:05

MINSK, 23 April (BelTA) – President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kyrgyzstan accuses the CSTO member states of doing nothing to resolve the situation in Kyrgyzstan. He made this statement at a press conference in Minsk on 23 April.

According to Kurmanbek Bakiyev, such position of the CSTO members can do any good. “No reaction has come from the CSTO. When I was in the south and when armed bandits followed me everywhere, the CSTO did not have an opportunity to contact me indeed. But I have been in Belarus for the fourth day. I wish at least one colleague tried to contact me after what has happened,” Kurmanbek Bakiyev said.

The President of Kyrgyzstan thanked Belarusian head of state Alexander Lukashenko for the help and support. He believes that the Belarusian leader “demonstrated not only his great human decency, but also acted as a brave statesman. Alexander Grigoriyevich showed respect not only to me but to the whole people of Kyrgyzstan. This is how I see his actions,” he said.

According to Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the leaders of the other states were probably not courageous enough to state their positions. “I communicated with other state leaders on numerous occasions, we had talks during informal summits. I think they support me but something does not let them say it publicly. Mostly likely they are afraid of getting into a situation like mine or there are some other factors,” the Kyrgyz leader said.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=521786

 CSTO non-viable without timely response

25.04.2010 13:40

MINSK, 25 April (BelTA) – The Collective Security Treaty Organization has no future if it does not influence ongoing events in a timely manner, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko told media on 25 April.

Asked whether the CSTO as it is can influence situations like the one in Kyrgyzstan now and the one in Abkhazia and South Ossetia before, Alexander Lukashenko said: “The present events are your answer. If the CSTO has failed to timely respond and steer the situation, it is the way it works. If the CSTO goes like that in the future, I can assure you it has no prospects”.

The President believes that the CSTO would be a very useful organization if it had developed the way it was devised initially. “The organization is very young. The truth is that we do very little to develop it,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko. He remarked that CSTO member-states have differing points of view on the organization’s development. “Apart from Russia and Belarus. The two of us have completely the same points of view on forming and developing the CSTO. We have common grounds. All the other states have totally different points of view of their own”.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked: “I’ve been trying to give reasons speaking about the organization recently, especially in view of the latest events. What kind of organization is it when in one of our countries blood is shed, a coup takes place and… there is no response? Why? It is easy to guess why judging by these events”.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/president?id=522406

 Lukashenko’s attendance of CSTO summit on 8 May not decided yet

25.04.2010 14:30

MINSK, 25 April (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has not decided yet whether he will attend the CSTO summit on 8 May.

A high-level group will gather for a meeting on 27 April to discuss the agenda of the forthcoming CSTO summit, the head of state told reporters. The group will also discuss the situation in Kyrgyzstan. The President stressed that if there is nothing more to it, "there will be no sense for my being there, since the agenda is virtually non-existent.” He also added that everything will depend whether there will be anything to discuss. “This is not some attack against the CSTO,” he said.

Alexander Lukashenko said that a full-scale session of the CSTO is scheduled for June. The agenda includes around 15 issues. “This is the condition on which the Belarusian side will be able to attend the CSTO session,” he added.

The head of state said that Belarus is preparing a big program to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The President believes it will be not right if he is out of the country at this time. “I have always been with my people on this day and I must be here as the head of state,” he said. He also noted that he will take part in the CIS informal summit which will be held in Moscow in the morning on 8 May and then he will come back to Minsk.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/president?id=522432

 Post-Soviet security bloc pledges aid to Kyrgyzstan

19:22 08/05/2010

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) vowed on Saturday to provide humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan.

The post-Soviet security bloc, which held an informal summit near Moscow, adopted a joint statement, pledging its readiness to provide assistance to Kyrgyzstan and promote "constructive cooperation with other countries and international organizations along these lines."

The Kyrgyz opposition took power in the former Central Asian Soviet republic in early April after anti-government protests in several cities turned violent, particularly in the capital, Bishkek.

The country’s ex-president Kurmanbek Bakiyev was deposed and fled the capital taking refuge in Belarus.

GORKI (Moscow Region), May 8 (RIA Novosti)

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20100508/158931599.html

 Change of power in Kyrgyzstan ‘unconstitutional’, CSTO leaders say

11.05.2010 15:57

MINSK, 11 May (BelTA) – The change of power in Kyrgyzstan was unconstitutional. This fact was recognized in the joint document which was signed by the participants of the CSTO summit following a meeting in Moscow on 8 May, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with Governor of the Kurgan Oblast Oleg Bogomolov in Minsk on 11 May, BelTA has learned.

“This is not only Lukashenko’s position. All heads of state signed the document which says that it was a coup d’etat which I was speaking about the first days following those events. The CSTO summit statement says it clearly that is was a coup d’etat, and everybody signed it including the President of the Russian Federation, Nazarbayev and others,” the president said.

As for my position on Bakiyev, everybody, without exceptions, recognized that it was a gesture on the part of the Belarusian president, that the president did the right thing. There is absolutely no need for making insinuations. If somebody is ready to claim anything different, I will get the verbatim published then, the head of state said.

The state leaders of the CSTO member states, namely Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, adopted a joint statement at the informal summit on 8 May. The state leaders appeal to the people of Kyrgyzstan urging to reinstate law and order in Kyrgyzstan as soon as possible, normalize social and political life, prevent violence, ensure human rights and freedoms and legitimize the institution of power.

“It is with great concern that we, the heads of the states – members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization took the April events in Kyrgyzstan that led to the unconstitutional change of power. Considering the events as an internal affair of Kyrgyzstan, we express deep regret and condolences over numerous loss of life and damage inflicted in the course of these events,” reads the statement.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/president?id=529736

 CSTO leaders uphold Lukashenko’s decision to support Bakiyev

14.05.2010 12:31

MINSK, 14 May (BelTA) – The presidents of the CSTO member states upheld a decision of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to provide assistance to Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his family at an informal summit, CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha told a press conference in Moscow on 14 May. The press conference reviewed the results of the informal summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization held on 8 May, BelTA has learnt.

“The presidents of the CSTO member states backed up the President of Belarus who, in their words, demonstrated courage and generosity providing assistance to Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his family,” Nikolai Borduyzha said.

At the same time, the CSTO Secretary General believes that Belarus’ stance on Kyrgyzstan is not different from that of the other CSTO leaders. “Alexander Lukashenko interprets the situation in Kyrgyzstan in the same way as the other CSTO leaders, namely, that an unconstitutional and illegitimate change of power has occurred there. The only difference is that the Belarusian leader invited President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev to his country,” Nikolai Bordyuzha said. “It is a domestic matter of Belarus,” he added.

http://www.belta.by/en/news/politics?id=531432