Kyrgyzstan uprising

[youtube]Q7mC1KAAxD8[/youtube]

 

Well, the outcome has already happened - a new interim government headed by a female and who was a minister in the now ousted cabinet. Protesters WERE violently silenced, with security officers firing into the crowd, hence the death toll, but it just so happened that this only served to inflame tensions further. Time will tell if this newly formed (in an amazing 24 hours) government will be any better. Invariably that are at the beginning.

This may not yet be over though since some reports say Bakiyev is in the south gathering his own supporters.

It's a shame, Kyrgyzstan has such beautiful landscapes and a pretty rich cultural heritage, and the place doesn't reek with religiosity either - despite it being a nominally Muslim country there are no real dress codes. Along with Kazakhstan it's one of the two stans I wish to visit!

Yes, it's pronounced, 'ky-rig-istan', or as some like to say 'kuuur-gistan'
And check this out periodically if you wish to remain in the know about Bishkek http://www.thespektator.co.uk

 

Well, I never really set democracy as the number 1 priority. National contentedness should be the aim of any group heading a society. Much of the Turkic world is quite tribal, and this feudal system gives rise to autocracies. Whilst I was brought up in democracies and hence I like the idea of living in one, many Kyrgyz were not and so democratic freedoms are not necessarily high on their list of priorities.

What I guess would really be good for the country, and many other similar surrounding ones, would be a GOOD autocratic leader. Give corrupt politicians democratic powers and they will fracture political parties into myriad of smaller ones until there really is no system left at all except the name 'democratic'. The route Turkey took with a good, productive, autocratic leader until 1938 and autocratic system until the 50's made sure that there was no opposition to the necessary reforms that allowed a democratic system to eventually bear fruit. It might be good if the stans were able to find similar leaders and follow a similar route.