#59: On Ambassadorial Journalists

If the news about Melis Eshimkanov's possible appointment as the Kyrgyz Ambassador in Switzerland is true, it will confirm his "reputation" as the least trust-worthy politician in Kyrgyzstan. Other journalist-turned-ambassadors are Zamira Sydykova (ResPublica/U.S. and Canada), Rina Prizhivoit (MSN/Austria and Central Europe) and Kuban Mambetaliev (Journalists Association/UK) . Now it might be the owner and MP (althoug he still secretly writes) of Agym, Melis Eshimkanov.

Background: Journalist-turned-politician Melis Eshimkanov ran for the presidency in 2000 and parliament in 2005. Because of his changing political alliances, the editorial policy of his newspaper shifted accordingly. In 2002, Melis Eshimkanov accompanied ex-president Akayev to the U.S., where Akayev introduced him to President Bush as the country’s “most outspoken opposition figure." Some speculated that Akayev had promised him the post of the State Secretary and, as a result, Agym changed its editorial policy from critical to pro-government. These critics were proven to be correct, when the paper returned to publishing critical articles as he never received a government appointment. Currently, he is distrusted as being an unpredictable editor/politician, who changes allegiances based on the favors he receives.

Update: According to Azattyk Radio, Melis Eshimkanov sold his newspaper.