#197: Land and Politics

Transfer of Üzöngüü-Kuush to China triggered the Aksy events, which then led to the flight of Askar Akaev from Kyrgyzstan on March 24, 2005. The current government might be doing similar mistakes in trying transfer several strips of land and 4 resort centers on the shore of Issyk-Kul to Kazakhstan. This simply becomes ammunition for the opposition, which today is still a weak and diverse group.

The opposition is will hold a kurultay (convention) tomorrow to discuss a number of issues, including tranfers of land to Kazakhstan. As a preparation, the opposition, jointly with some youth activities, held a rally against this yesterday. And of course, the police rounded them up and arrested all of the 50 protesters. Pictures (courtesy of AKIpress and morrire) are belo
Kyrgyzstan does seems to be falling off the radar. The west rarely now mentions Kyrgyzstan. The US seems to presenting Kazakhstan as the success story of democratization.