A History of Our Revolution

By Nazarbek Akylbek Uulu
March 26, 2005

Революциянын баасын тарых берет.

Бир коомдо жашап жаткандан кийин ал коомдо болуп жаткан окуяларга кайдыгер карап же ал окуялардан оолактап кете албайт экенси¾. Андыктан, жакында јлкјбіздј болуп јткјн тарыхый окуяларга жана алардын натыйжасында тізілгјн саясый кырдаалга ар бир жарандын јзінін жеке ой пикири бар болсо керек. Мен дагы Кыргызстандын жараны катары, јлкјбіздјгі окуялардын јнігішінј тынчсыздануу менен назар салып тізілгјн абалга кандайдыр бир баа беріігј аракет кылдым. Акыры сјз эркиндиги укугумдан пайдаланып јзімдін жеке ой пикиримди профессионал саясатчы же саясый аналитик катары эмес, катардагы жаран катары коомчулукка жеткиргим келди.

Кытай элинде “Јзгјріілјр доорунда жашап калса¾ экен” деген байыртадан белгиліі бир каргыш бар эмеспи. Бул улуу сјздін ма¾ызын биз, замандаштар, кимдир бирјјнін каргышына калгансып ушундай тополо¾ тј¾кјрішті башыбыздан кечирип жатканыбызда гана эми тішініп жатсак керек. Мындай алааматты биз мурда тарых китептеринен гана окуйт элек, бир кезде айтылуу большевиктер уюштургандай революция бизде экинчи кайталанбастай, тарыхтын барактарында тібјлік калгандай сезилчі эле, себеби бир кылымга жакын убакта адамзаттын менталитети кыйла јзгјрбјдібі. Эмигиче бизде да тј¾кјріш болгонуна, биздин борбор калаабызда да тээ алыскы Багдаддагыдай аёосуз талап тоноочулук болгонуна, калаабыз бир тін ичинде таанылгыс абалга келип калганына ынаналбай жјн гана бир коркунучтуу тіш сыяктуу сезилет. Тіш эле болуп калса эмине...
Анткен менен, каалайбызбы, каалабайбызбы, эгемендіі Кыргызстандын тарыхында мурда болуп кјрбјгјндјй, ири тарыхый мааниге ээ, коомубуздун мындан аркы јнігішінј о¾ же терс таасир этіічі окуя болуп јтті. Албетте, тарыхта калчу бул окуяга тіздјн тіз кібј болуп калганыбыз ічін бизге бир жагынан сыймыктуу болсо, бир жагынан јтј јкінічтіі болот экен, анткени тј¾кјріш кандай гана жакшы ниет жана идея менен ишке ашырылбасын анын аты андан јзгјріп кетпесин, бары бир коомдун кінімдік жашоосуна јз залакасын тийгизбей койбосун унутпасак экен, ал эле эмес, коомдун јнігішін артка тартып коёру айтпаса да тішініктіі эмеспи. Бул чындыкты канчалык ачуу болсо да мойнубузга алышыбыз керек. Айрым замандаштарыбыздын абалды толук баамдабай туруп эле бул окуяны майрамга айлантып жиберишкени, Акаевдин бийлиги куласа эле жыргалчылык заман келет деп эйфорияга алдырышканы, жумшак айтканда, биздин коомубуздун саясый жактан мындай тарыхый јзгјріілјргј дале болсо даяр эместигин тастыктады. Андан да јкінічтіісі карапайым эл мындай тј¾кјріштјрді коомго жагымдуу бир кјрініш сыяктуу кабыл алып жатканы тынчсыздандырууну туудурбай койбойт экен. Бул тј¾кјрішкј азыр тигиндей же мындай баа беріігј али эрте экендигин, мезгили келгенде бир гана тарых јз баасын берерин, анын ма¾ызын, о¾ жана терс жагын тарых жана келечек муундар таразаларын элибиз эсинен чыгарбаса экен.

Менимче, эл жа¾ыланууга каршы эмес, жа¾ылануунун зарылчылыгы келгенин эл сезип тішініп эле атты. Бийлик алмашуу бардык демократия принциптерин туу туткан мамлекеттерде мыйзам ченемдіі кјрініш болуусу тийиш. Эгер бийлик кјпкј турса, анан калса јзінін мјјнјті біткјнінј карабастан дагы эле бийликте калуунун болгон амалдарын издеп баштаса, айланасына јзінін тууган уругун чогултуп, ій білјсін јлкј саясатына тіздјн тіз аралаштырып, башка саясый муунга бийликке табигый жолдор менен келіігј ачык эле бут тосо баштаса, албетте, бийлик бузулат, андай бийликтен конструктивдіі эч нерсе кітіігј болбой калат, коомдо бир кландын же топтун диктатурасы орноо коркунучу туулат да буга каршы коомдун табигый јзін јзі коргоо рефлекси пайда болуусу та¾ каларлык деле эмес.
Мына ушундай абалга жетип элинин ишеничин жоготкон мурдагы бийликтин алсыздыгынан, ара¾ турган элдин абалынан кээ бир оппортунисттер пайдаланып кетпјјсі ічін Акаевдин јкмјті да, оппозиция да тиешеліі аракеттерди убагында кјрішкјн жок. Айрым оппозиционер деп јзін јзі атагандар саясый абалды курчутууну гана кјздјп келишпедиби, ал эми бийлик болсо компромисс табуунун ордуна элди курулай чакырык, идеология менен јзінј тартуунун аракетинде келди. Бул революциялык абалга Акаев режиминин саясый ачкјздігі, саясый абалдын келечегин туура баамдап кјрјбилбегендиги, оппозициянын кічінј жана амбицияларына жеткиликтіі маани бербей келгени жана ошол эле учурда оппозициянын кээ бир јкілдјрінін ара¾ турган элди кјтјріп јз амбицияларынын ишке ашыруусу ічін учурдан пайдаланып кетиши себепкер болду. Анткен менен, мамлекетти бігінкі революциялык абалга чейин алып келіігј Акаевдин да, башкалардын да укугу жок эле.

Элдин чыныгы мідјсін тішінбјй, революциянын кесепеттерин ойлонбой элди кјтјрілішкј індјгјн айрым лидерлерибиз революциянын кесепети хаоско алып келиши мімкін экенин, эл контролдон чыгып кетсе анархияга жол ачылышы мімкін экендигин мурда ойлодубу экен, же ошол эле лидерлердин артынан ээрчиген эл тј¾кјріштј, сјз јзі эле айтып тургандай, коомдогу бир таптын укугун орнотуу экинчи бир таптын укугун тепселјј аркылуу гана болорун ойлоду бекен? Борбор калаабызда орун алган талап тоноолор андай болбогонун ачык эле кјрсјтіп жатпайбы. Эл деген шылтоо менен айрым лидерлер бийликке жетишііні жана жеке сяасый амбицияларын ишке ашырууну гана кјздјгјні алардын талап тоноочулукту токтотууда эч кандай чара кјралбай койгонунан, јздјрі кјтјріп чыккан элди контролдой албаганынан, керек болсо мурдагы бийликке каршы пикетке чыккандай элге чыгып, жок дегенде, токтотууга аракет кылгандын ордуна теледен бары те¾ бири бирин куттуктап, Акаев элди кандай абалга алып келгенин гана талкуулап отуруп алышынан кјрініп турбадыбы.

Ал эми жа¾ылануу, боштондук деп кыйкырган айрым мекендештерибиз жјн гана јзінін материалдык абалын башка бирјјлјрдін эсебинен жакшыртып алалы дегени Бишкектеги тінкі жіріштјн кийин ми¾ актанса дагы жуулгус кара так болуп калды кјрінјт. Айрым мекендештерибиз бир ууч провокаторлордун сјзінј кирип Акаев тактыдан куласа эле каалаганын кылып башташ керек экен деп минтип ач кјздіккј же¾илип, кара ниет менен бирјјнін убалынан, каргышынан коркпой, каратып туруп мындай ыплас ишке барганы абдан јкінічтіі. Бизде болгон мындай аёсуз талап тоноолор менен коштолгон білдіріілјр башка бир да жерде болбосо керек. Ошол эле Ирактын эли биз теледен кјргјнібізгј караганда Саддам Хусейнге гана таандык хан сарайларды анан јкмјттік жайларды талап, анын мілкін ташып кетишкен. Бизде болсо эч кандай Акаевдин тиешеси жок жеке ишкерлерге таандык жерлер чабуулга учураган. Мейли Акаевдин жеке јзінін дікјні болсо да ал жерде канчалаган мекендештерибиз эле иштеп ій білјсін багып жатканын, ал жердин ізірін биз деле кардар катары кјріп атканыбызды тішінсјк болбойбу! Анткен менен, бул жагымсыз окуя стихиялуу тірдј ичкилик ичип алган а¾ сезимсиз жаштар тарабынан кокустан эле орун алды деп айтылып жаткан менен, андайга окшошпой турганын байкоо ічін Шерлок Холмс деле болуунун кажети жок. Биринчи кезекте айтылуу Народный дікјндјрінін тійінін дээрлик бардыгынын таш талканынын чыгарылышы (элде Народный дікјндјрінін тійіні ій білјгј таандык экен деген имиштер башында эле бар болчу), Бишкекте болгон бардык супермаркеттердин жана кымбат элиталык бутиктердин кыйратылышы (революция убагында байлар бай болгону ічін эле эл душманы катары эсептелип калат да эл јз жинин ушинтип байлардан чыгарат эмеспи), жана кымбат тиричилик техника саткан дікјндјрдін жјн гана уурдалып жана кыйратылышы, ал эми кытай жана тірк жарандарына таандык супермаркеттерди жјн эле тоноп талкалабастан јрт да коюп кетиши, ошол эле учурда ошол эле кјчјлјрдј чогуу жайгашкан кичи кафе, чач тарач, дікјндјрдін ж.б. эч жабыркабашы, бирок тірк кафелери, жада калса эч ким байкабас жерде жайгашкан чач тарач жайлары аёосуз тонолуп кыйрашы бул белгиліі бирјјлјрдін алдын ала ийне жибине чейин ойлонуштурулган сценарийи го деп ишенбјјгј аргасыз барасы¾. Анан калса же конкуренттеринен арылуу ічін же же¾ишке жеткен элге трофей катары ушул ушул жайларды алгыла деп бирјјлјр атайы эле індјгјндјй кјрінјт. Эмнеси болсо да шаарыбыздын кјркін ачкан, жумуштан јтіп баратканда эс алып, ырахаттанып, орусча айтканда цивилизованно соода кылчу, чет элдиктер келсе сапка саяр бир дагы соода борбор калтырбадык. Баракелде! Јзібізді бир тін ичинде 5-10 жылга артка сійрјдік бири бирибизди кјралбастыктын айынан. Эми дагы качан мурдагы соода борборлору калыбына келер экен? Зато бітіндјй дійнјгј јзібізді таанытпадыкпы бизден јткјн білдіргічтјр жок деп. Аты¾ чыкпаса жер јрттј дегенди јзібіз бекеринен айтпаган турбайбызбы.

Ал эми учурдагы кырдаалды баамдасак, бул тј¾кјріш кээ бир саясый оппортунисттерди жана же¾ил оокат кјздјгјн адамдарды эске албаганда, саясатка аралашпаган, јз оокаты менен алек тынч жаткан элге зыяндан башка пайда алып келген жок деп ойлойм, себеби эл ічін деп ишке ашырылган бул тј¾кјріш айланып отуруп эле ошол эле элди, тагыраак айтканда, чын ыклас менен эмгек кылып бутуна жа¾ы туруп келаткан жарандарыбызды ченемсиз чыгымдарга дуушар кылды. Ми¾деген мекендештерибиз мээнет менен тапкан, канча убакыттан бери кашыктап чогултуп келген мілкінјн кјз ирмемде кол жууду, ми¾деген жарандарыбыз жумушсуз калды, демек ій білјсін багууга эч кандай каражатсыз калды. Алардын тагдыры эми эмне болот, кимден жардам кітјт, кимге ишенет, адилеттіілікті кайдан издейт? Бир гана нерсе белгиліі: алардын кайгысына эч ким жооп бербейт жана алар жумушсуздардын армиясын кјбјйтјт, натыйжада жоёбуз деп кјкірјк каккан жакырчылыктын јсішінј салымын кошот. Мындан айрым жарандар эле эмес, жалпы коом, мына биз, карапайым калк, кары да жашы да, байы да кедейи да материалдык да моралдык да жактан зыянга дуушар болгонун, бийлик менен айрым амбициясы чо¾ оппозиционерлердин кагылышынан ортодо тынч жаткан калы¾ эл запкы тартканын айрым замандаштарыбыз тішінбјй же тішінгісі келбей жатканы ого бетер зээни¾ди кейитип жатпайбы.

Ошентип, Акаев режими јз доорун жашап бітті, біткјндј да минтип јз аброюн жоготуп элдик тополо¾ менен кіч колдонуу аркылуу кулатылды. Ошентсе да, боштондукка, эркиндикке жетиштик деп уралаган кээ бир мекендештерибизге тішінј албайм. Же Акаев ошончолук эле Сталин же Хусейн сыяктуу бітін карапайым элди куугунтуктап, каматып 15 жыл бою эзип келген тиран, деспот беле? Эмнеден бошондук? Туура, айрым бийликке жакпаган, же бийликти тымызын э¾сеп жете албай бийликке таарынып жіргјн, же кээ бир чынында эле бийлик тарабынан адилетсиз куугунтукталган адамдар боштондукка жетишти. Бирок бітіндјй элди ага кошуп жибергенибиз туура болбосо керек себеби жалпы жонунан алганда, Орто Азияны мындай эле коёлу, керек болсо бітіндјй постсоветтик республикалар арасында Акаев э¾ либерал, э¾ жумшак мамлекет башчысы болгонун азыр да эч ким тана албайт. Андай болбогондо Кыргызстанда бігінкідјй санда ар кыл саясатчы жаралат беле, ким билет. Биздин јлкјдј, бул окуялар кјрсјткјндјй, саясатчылардан жана саясый партиялардан кјп эч нерсе жок экен. Эмнегедир бизде бизнесмен, соодагер, банкиринен тартып физиги болобу, доктуру болобу, айтор, мугалимине чейин эле саясатчы болгусу келеберет экен. Аларды башка иш кызыктырбайбы же саясат чынында эле јтј кирешеліі бизнес окшойт.

Ошондуктан, бул революцияны канчалык элдик дегенибиз менен эл кылбай эле жала¾ эле аркасынан саясаттан анчалык деле тішінігі жок жаштарды ээрчиткен саясатчылар кылган ј¾діі сезилет. Бул чындык бизде аздыр кјптір саясый эркиндик кагаз жізіндј эле эмес иш жізіндј да болгондугун далилдеп турбайбы. Андай болбосо бизге революциянын јзі эмес, эпкини да жетмек эмес, бігінкі оппозиция лидерлеринин тагдыры кандай болмок, аны эч ким айталбайт. Акаев кіч колдонбой, јкмјт ійін таштап качып кетишин бир жагынан коркоктук, чыккынчылык деп айыптасак, экинчи жагынан кан тјгіігј жол бербей бийликти тынчтык жолу менен “јткјріп бергенин” чынында анын атуулдук эрдиги деп эсептесек жа¾ылыштык болбос, анткени ал курал алып бийлигин коргогонунда анын аягы кандай жа¾жал менен бітмјк, бир кудай билет.

Акаев бийлигинин албетте јз кемчиликтери, каталары, кінјјлјрі бар болчу, бирок алар кјбінесе экономика жаатында болгонун а¾ сезимдіі кјпчілік тішінјт. Алардын бири коррупциянын кіч алышы, мамлекеттик мілктін бийликтеги аткаминерлер тарабынан адилетсиздик менен ээленип алышы ачык эле кјрініп турду. Бир жагынан жомоктогудай жаркыраган жана космостук ылдамдык менен курулуп жаткан хан сарайлар, биринен бири јткјн машинелер, ал эми экинчи жагынан машине минип ій курмак тігіл кінімдік кјр тиричилигин эптеп јткјріп жаткан калктын ортосундагы асман менен жердей айырма эл менен эч ким эсептешкиси келбегенин далилдеп койгон. Эмнеси болсо да, Акаевдин тээ эгемендіілік жылдарынын башында Кыргызстанды дійнјлік аренага алып чыгып, коомдо демократиянын принциптеринин тіптјлішінј, бјлініп жарылып бараткан коомдо бейпилдикти, биримдикти сактап калышына, рыноктук мамилелерге јтіі реформаларында салымы эбегейсиз зор экендигин моюнубузга алышыбыз зарыл. Тунгуч президентибиз јлкј ічін жасаган эмгектерин элибиз унутуп коюуга же тарых бетинен чийип салууга мімкін эмес экенин жана моралдык укугубуз жок экендигин эсинен чыгарбайт деп ойлойм.

Ал эми жа¾ы бийликтен эл кјпті іміт кылууда, бирок, тилекке каршы, жа¾ы бийлик јз доорун бир кездеги большевиктерге окшоп айрым жеке менчик ээлерин минтип кыйратуудан баштап алды. Бир гана тилек, кандай гана инсандар бийликке келбесин, бир ууч элибизди уруу уруу кылып, тіндік тіштік деп бјліп жарбай, тынчтыкты, элдин ынтымагын кјздін карегиндей сактап, байлыкты кайра бјліштіріі жана бири биринен јч алуу менен алек болуп кетпесе экен деймин. Жа¾ы бийлик, эл бийлиги деп јзін атаган со¾, ошол атка татыктуу болуп, критиканы туура кабыл алып, мурдагы бийликтин каталарынан жана мічіліштіктјрінјн сабак алса экен деймин. Сјзімдін аягында, жа¾ы муундун саясатчыларына јлкјбіздін тагдырын, келечегин тапшырып жатып белгиліі бир топ адамдардын кызыкчылыгын кјздјбјй калкты калыстык менен жалпы ойлоп, элдин турмушун о¾доого болгон кіч кубатын жумшап ишенимин актаса экен деген гана жјнјкјй тилегим бар.

Назарбек Акылбек уулу, Ат-Башы району
26.03.2005

"Revoultion" in Kyrgyzstan

"REVOLUTION" in Kyrgyzstan
By Janarbek Kultekov
April 2009
Translated by Marianna Nikiforova

On March 24 Kyrgyzstan has celebrated anniversary of “the revolution”, from now this day as a “Day of people's revolution” is to be celebrated every year. But was there really a revolution or ...?

I want to tell about “revolution” events in Kyrgyzstan. All so called “Velvet Revolutions” have happened with the same scenario. Like events in Georgia or in the Ukraine.

Elections in the Zhogorku Kenesh – unicameral parliament – were assigned on February 27, 2005. These Elections were the first elections with the new Constitution, according to this Constitution the Republic is becoming a Parliament-President Republic instead of the President Republic how it was before. Then, after the Parliament Evections, on October 2005 the President Elections should have taken place.

But I think that former president Akayev would not have participated in the President Elections, even though the new Constitution formally gave him this opportunity. Probably, he wanted to save his name as a democracy leader. Akayev has chosen another variant: to increase the role of the Parliament in the Country and bring in the Parliament people close to him. The only thing was needed is to make pro-government candidates to be winners.

The Elections had two rounds how as it usually happens in democracy countries. The second round took place on March 13, 2005. There were 75 seats in the Zhogorku Kenesh and there were about 400 candidates. About one and half million people voted on the Elections. About 90% seats were taken by pro-government or neutral candidates. Former President Akayev's children – daughter Bermet and son Aidar –became the Members of Parliament (now they are former MP) as well. Authorities claimed the Election were really well organized and honest. However, in the mean time the opposition and Western observers (from OSCE and U.S.A.) declared the Elections results were falsified.

Kyrgyzstan Rebellion

After these events the opposition has started decisive actions. The opposition was well united. At some polling stations in Kurshabatsky and Alaysky regions, where according the officials some pro-government candidates won, oppositionists Adahan Madymarov (now the first vice premier) and Marat Sultanov (now the Speaker of the Parliament) have initiated votes recalculation, and then have declared themselves as winners. Soon some events have been started and the recalculation was forgotten.

The opposition organized meetings and tried to intrude in authorities work in many cities and regions of Kyrgystan – in Uzgen, Alay, Kochkore, Talas, and Bishkek. Meeting people demand to transfer power to people's assembly, resignation of the President Askar Akayev, and a new (early) President elections. But the real center of the events became Jalal-Abad city where meeting peoples occupied the Province administration building and started permanent meetings. On March 15, the opposition in Jalal-Abad called for people's assembly – Kurultai. Many famous opposition politics arrived to Kurultai: Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Roza Otunbayeva, Ishengul Boldzhurova, Topchubek Turgunaliyev, Azimbek Beknazarov and others. They had the same demands: resignation of the President Akayev and declaration the elections to the Parliament were invalid. The Republic coordination assembly was created with Kurmanbek Bakiyev as the Head of. But during negotiations with the authorities the population of Osha city – the second large city in the country – decided to do the same. On March 18 people in Osha as well occupied the Province administration building. The events happened very fast. The authorities tried to provoke the opposition. Almost every broadcast media worked for the authorities. On March 19 the authorities sent military and police forces into Osh and Jalal-Abad to take over the situation, but the attempt was unsuccessful. On March 24 all rebels from the South and other regions of the Republic headed of to the capital – Bishkek. I cannot understand so far what was going on on March 24. Probably it was a revolution, probably coup d'état. According to rumors the President's family left the country that day. The opposition took over the Power. But this day was the day of chaos and marauding. All right, the former opposition now is the authorities. But they have not done what they promised. Well, one year is a very short term, let us see. There are two questions about such kind of revolutions: even the revolution successful does it mean the situation in the country will be changed dramatically? And what is the price for this revolution?

Кыргызская «РЕВОЛЮЦИЯ».

24 марта Кыргызстан отметил годовшину «революции», теперь этот день как «День народной революции» будет отмечатся каждый год. А в действительности была ли революция или…?

Я хотел бы расказать о «революционных» событиях в Кыргызстане. Все, так называемые «Бархатные революции» произашли по анологичным сценариям. Как и в Грузии и в Украине события в Кыргызстане развивались по первичному сценарию.

Выборы в Жогорку Кенеш – однопалатный парламент страны- были назначены на 27 февраля 2005 года. Эти выборы должны были стать первыми в рамках новой конститции страны, согласно которому республика из президентской превращается в парламентско-президентскую. Вслед за парламентскими выборами в октябре 2005 года должны были состоять президентские выборы.

Но я, считаю, что бывший президент Акаев не выдвинул бы свою кандидатуру – несмотря на то, что формально новая конституция давала ему такое право. Наверное, он хотел сохранить имя демократического лидера, Акаев предпочел другой вариант: значительно усилить роль народного собрания в управлении страной и провести в него своих людей. Оставалось только обеспечить проправительственным кандидатам победу на парламентских выборах.

Выборы прошли, как и положено в демократической стране в два тура. Второй тур состоялся 13 марта 2005 года. На 75 кресел в Жогорку Кенеше претендовали около 400 кандидатов, за которых голосовали примерно полтора миллиона избирателей. По итогам выборов 90 процентов депутатских мест получили проправительственные или нейтральные кандидаты. В жогорку Кенеш прошли и дети экс – президента Акаева – дочь Бермет и сын Айдар, теперь уже «экс - депутаты». Власти заявили, что выборы прошли высшей ступени организованно и честно. Однако, оппозиция и западные наблюдатели (из ОБСЕ и США) тут же объявили результаты выборов сфальсифицированными.

Кыргызский бунт

После этого оппозиция приступила решительным действиям. Оппозиция действовало сплаченно. На ряде избирательных участков в Куршабском и Алайском округах, где по официальным данным, победила проправительственные кандидаты, проигравшие оппазиционеры Адахан Мадумаров (ныне первый вице – примьер министр) и Марат Султанов (ныне спикер Жогорку Кенеша) инициировали пересчет голосов, после чего объявили победителями самих себя. Вскоре начались события, после которых о пересчете голосов все просто позабыли.

Во многих городах и районах Кыргызстана оппозиция стала организовывать митинги и попытки вмешатся в работу органов гоударственной власти – в Узгене и Алае, Кочкоре и Таласе, а также в Бишкеке. Повсюду митинговавшие требовали передать власть народному собранию, отствавку президента Аскара Акаева и провести досрочные выборы президента. Но, центром событий стал город Джалалабад, где митинговавшие захватили здание областной администрации и объявили бессрочные митинги. 15 марта оппозиция в Джалалабаде созвала народное собрание – курултай. На курултай съехались видные оппозиционные политики – Курманбек Бакиев, Роза Отунбаева, Ишенгуль Болджурова, Топчубек Тургуналиев, Азимбек Бекназаров и другие. Их требования остались такими же; отставка Акаева и признание выборы в Жогорку Кенеш недействительными. Было создана республиканский координационный совет и его главой избрали Курманбека Бакиева. Но пока шли переговоры с властями опыт джалабадцев решили перенять жители Оша, второй по величине город Кыргызстана. 18 марта жители Оша также захватили здание обл. администрации. События развивались бурно. Власть пыталась всячески провоцировать оппозицию. Почти вся СМИ работала на власть. 19 марта власть отправила в Ош и Джалалабад бойцов внутренних войск исотрудников ОМОН УВД республики, чтоб силой освободить здания и подавить бунт, но у них это не получилось. 24 марта все бунтовщики с юга и с других регионов республики взяли курс в столицу – Бишкек. То, что тварилось 24 марта немогу понять до сих пор. То ли это было революцией, то ли переворотом. Многотысячная толпа двигались в сторону Белого дома. По слухам в этот день вся семья экс президента покинула страну. Оппозиционеры захватили власть. Но в этот день в городе тварилось хаос, марадерства… Ну ладно скажем оппозиционеры «бывшие» теперь стали властью. Но то что обещали народу еще не выполнили, ну впрочем год это малый срок, но мы еще увидем. Здесь правда встают два вопроса: насколько такие революции, даже они проходят удачно, смогут реально изменить положение дел в стране и какую цену за это придется заплатить.

Editor's Note

The following articles are all by 4th year students from Kyrgyz National University and International University of Kyrgyzstan. Many were abridged and published in The Times of Central Asia, one of the only local English-language newspapers in Bishkek. These are the unabridged and unedited letters.

Bride Kidnapping

By Djumbaeva Zarina

The most bothering thing that bothers me is kidnapping of women. As everybody knows Kyrgyzstan is very popular of women kidnapping. It is too scary when you are kidnapped, moreover, by unfamiliar one. I can’t imagine how can I live with someone who I’ve never seen.

For example, my one friend was kidnapped She has never seen him before. But because of the tradition she agreed and stayed with him. But now she is so unhappy and can do nothing. She has her child and only for him she puts up with that way of life. I always say her to go away from her husband but she says that there is nowhere to go and that she loves her child.

As for me I am so afraid of being kidnapped. And I want the government to do something to solve this problem. It is ok that that is our tradition but people should not suffer because of it. We live only one time, that’s why we should live the way we want. Yes, We should keep our tradition but in this case I can’t agree with it. I think finally, that the government should issue a law about forbidding to kidnap. Otherwise kidnappers should be punished.

Citizenship/Civility

By Helen Kulisheva

Thanks to modern inventors our life becomes easier day after day. But different problems concerning these inventions appear too. For example, cell phones appeared in Kyrgyzstan 15 years ago. Producers of the mobiles taught how to use them, but nobody mentioned when people can use it and when they shouldn’t. On the contrary, producers always pointed out that mobiles could function everywhere. It’s good, but people don’t understand that sometimes it bothers other people.

It’s very unpleasant when, during the lecture, somebody’s phone rings. It distracts your attention. Recently the cell phones with MP3 players appeared and it became unbearable to rest in silence. Last week I got a bad mark for my control work. I couldn’t concentrate on tasks because at the corridor several boys enjoyed music. When I asked them to mute the sound but they just laughed and continued listen to music. This is quite common now, people forgot about etiquette, nobody teach us how to behave, except family of course but it’s not sufficient.

I think that our Ministry of Education should find money and add to the educational program the lesson of etiquette. Somebody should tell us very frequently that we should switch off mobiles at theaters and conferences, that we should respect each other and that rudeness is not the best way to gain self-confidence. Maybe then people would change themselves and our world would become better.

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By Marganyan Vage

Its necessary for our country to bring up our youth with economic, ideological, cultural values and develop political sense. And good example of the absence of these qualities is the event that happened on 24th of March during the revolution.

My personal story is about my so-called friend, I saw so-called because I thought that he my friend but unfortunately he thief. He robbed the cell phones from the “Beta Stores”, “Silk Way”. I asked him: Why he was doing it. Then he replayed: its better to take cell phones unpaid that pay for cell phones. I was shocked by his answer. And I ask myself how can he say so? It’s really terrible.

My suggestion is that in schools and in universities must be held seminars with pupils and students. But I think not also with students but also with all people. And I hope that all gonna be all right.

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By Japankulova Elvira

It is necessary to try for bringing up our youth in political economic, ideological spheres. According this matter can be point out one of the main sense is patriotism. A good example of the absent of these values is the 24th of March revolution. The majority of participants were youths, who for their desires, but didn’t think about the consequences. When they couldn’t find a peaceful solution, they began looting.

I heard a story about my friend, who had participated in the stealing of mobile telephone. Then he tried to sell them for low prices. When I heard this story I was very surprised, shocked because its very horrible behavior. He though at first of his own financial needs not about what will happen later but I understand that some behavior of our youths comes from social problems like poverty and unemployment.

I hope that we will solve these problems. One of them is up bringing of youths. Youth are future of our country. I suggest that interested organization should hold more workshops with students to raise urgent, explore important issues regard the youth.

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By Elvira Beishenbek

I think in our country a big problem is television. As known, television is a national disease in many countries. And in our country isn’t an exception. Everyday television is absorbing everyone on the whole world. However, the absorbing isn’t a problem that I would like to discuss, the point are programs which have negative information and messages they bear to minds of our people especially for young generation. Everyday every small child watches TV where he sees channels with dirty contents. For example in midday broadcasts films for adults of (x-films) or another example thriller, documentary or even cartoons show how people torment other people by means of torture and kill each other.

I can bring an example from my life. Once in the morning about 10 o’clock I turned on T, I saw a film that contained not good content, where was shown obscene scents between two adults and also there was used indecent lexicon. I was in a shock. It was because what would be if it would see my younger sister. As we know children is absorbing new information a sponge. And this film would leave a print on her memory and she take into account that is right and he can also do it and use this lexicon. Unfortunately, mostly parents are not at home and could explain that is bad. Or another example, I reminded a scene that happened 1 week ago when two boys struggled with each other because before that they watched a thriller, where people make a pain to each other and they regarded that is good. I explained them that isn’t good at all what they were doing. They agreed with me because I explained them that we must leave in peace. But if they wouldn’t know me, I suppose even wouldn’t listen to me.

This situation very terrible for our future for our future generation so we have to stop showing x-films and shows more useful information. It’s so hard to do it. Nevertheless, I think there exists a decision. On my opinion, we have to stop showing films and cartoons that contains negative, unuseful messages and replace them to entertaining, historical, animal or nature world or sport. I think it helps to increase the level of knowledge and get know more useful information. And reduce the growth of violence and misunderstanding among people especially among young generation.

How can we do it? We have to treat to the government to create a new law against programs that contains violence. I think our government has people who deal with similar works (who create such like works) and will help to do it. I know it takes much time but I believe, that like law will be accept.

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By Rusinova Elena

In our country are a lot of children, which were left by young mothers at maternity houses. It’s terrible.

At my school was a girl of 14 years old, who was from bad family, her parents were drunkards, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to her child, she let him at maternity house and ran away. This shocked all people at my school. The child was taken to an orphanage and nobody knows what happened with him.

I think that its very big problem. In many countries of world there are special lessons at schools in which such questions are discussed. At such lessons children are explained that the birth of the baby is very big responsibility.

I’d like that such lessons be at schools at my country. Maybe this would help to reduce the number of young unwise mothers, which would leave their children.

Smoking

By Zarina Mamadaliyeva

For many years our government has tried to resolve the problem of smoking. Many steps were taken but without result. It is unpleasant to be near the smokers, to look at them. Also smoking gives to the society a serious health hazard.

Thousands of people have suffered and died from smoking. I was witness to the sad life and death of one young man. Two years ago my neighbor died because of cancer of the lungs. He was only 23 years old. He began to smoke when he was 12 years old by the example of his father and cancer of lungs is a consequence of smoking. Only together can society win the struggle against smoking. Our government must inform the community through TV programs, radio and newspapers about the consequences of smoking. The Ministry of Health protection should conduct an educational campaign. Parents should set a good example for their children and enforcement of the law that prohibits selling tobacco products to teenagers can resolve the problem.

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By Aigul Saagymbaeva

One of the main problems of our society is smoking. It is also serious hazard for health. Everyday we see that almost every person smokes on the public streets by this action they pollute air and harm the people around them.

Last year my friend who was left by his girl friend began to smoke because of depression He wanted to be with his girl friend but the wish to smoke was stronger. He smokes very often ad now he is alone, only with his cigarettes.

I hope that everyone tried to help people who smoke because it is harmful to health. It kills people. Every family should set a good example for their children. The Ministry of Health should hold an educational campaign to inform people about the danger of smoking. Public officials should prohibit smoking in public places like cafes and punish those who smoke there. People who used to sufferer form dependence on cigarettes could take part in TV shows in which health of problems and the ay out of such situations is discussed.

Unemployment

By Isanova Kasiet

Our country is unable to provide people with jobs, because of that we have the problem of unemployment and as a result the problem of poverty. Nowadays we can see a lot of young and strong men who go to another state to find a job. I’m worried about it because our country is losing its generation. If all of our youth leave our country who will work for the future and the present of the country?

Our best specialists are leaving our country. This a problem is called “brain drain” For example, our teacher K. Osmonaliev who has degree of Doctor of Judicial Sciences is going to leave Kyrgyzstan and go to Kazakhstan. He is a specialist in his field and he would be very useful in our country.

Officials should play their role in solving of the problem of unemployment. They should attract investors who will build plants, factories and provide people with jobs. The problem of unemployment is the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism and its head A. Atambaev.

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By Almaz

Our State is unable to provide citizens with jobs ad as a result we have large problems with unemployment and poverty. We can see a lot of people working in Bazaars risking their health. I have a lot of relatives who work abroad because they can’t provide for their families and needs in our country. Some of them are in Moscow others are in Almaty Cypress and Turkey. Most are well educated, young and could serve our country, but it is impossible because of low payment. We have a problem such as “brain drain” As for me I feel that I will not find a job with high payment and I also will go abroad for better life. Our government and parliament must do definite steps in sphere of economy, policy and in social development. Our Ministry of Industry, Trade and tourism should attract foreign investors who can build plants factories and other enterprises. They must stop some negative factors as labor migration and others.

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By Ogai Eugenie

The Kyrgyz nation has lots of problems but the most dooming is that we couldn’t find our jobs after graduation; we have to immigrate for seeking of decent life.
And my personal example is very typical for the majority: I’m a graduate of the International Relations faculty I faced the problem of unemployment last year when I applied for jobs. The biggest problems were salary and vacation. The one was not high enough with that amount of money I just could buy a jacket! And the second was of had to work in completely different spheres from my own specialty. So I could suggest some ides.

The way out of the employment problem:
1) To establish new associations in the framework of universities with the aim as to organize internships for students who are near to graduation.
2) To boost salaries in low paid spheres like medicine and education by limitation the expenses o our government official like mobile phones and private vehicles.
3) To raise the level of education to further guarantee employment. Everyone wants smart brains and to be competitive or more - out of competition.
4) To create the programs by the government, international organizations or non- governmental organization for implement the specialists exchange between countries with the aim of getting new ways of thinking.

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By Elena Koshekova

Something must be done about the problem of unemployment in our Bishkek and especially in the rural areas of the Kyrgyzstan. Nowadays unemployment is a major problem among many citizens of Kyrgyzstan. After the collapse of the Soviet Union a lot of factories were closed and people lost their jobs. They also lost the belief in a good future.

This problem affected my family mostly my father. He lost his job when the SU ceased to exist. My father was the major source of income in our family and because of it we felt the lack of money we had to limit ourselves. We tried to buy cheaper products. My father was unemployment during three years and all that time the family suffered of it. As for me I was a little girl that time and I had no opportunity to help my parents. Fortunately, this situation in our family changed but I know that a great amount of citizens of Kyrgyzstan who suffer from unemployment; it is still great problem.

In order to earn money, people try to find a job abroad far from their families. But I think that this is not the way out. I know that according our constitution all citizens have the right to address private or collective messages to the organs of government authority, authorities who have to (read and respond to) view these messages and give the answer. (For this reason) And because of it through your paper I want to address the authorities of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan. I ask that they begin to solve this problem. Maybe with the help of the reconstruction of former factories, that will provide more jobs.

Human Trafficking

By Kenesheva Aliya

Something must be done about the problem of human traffic. This problem grows larger every day. Our people suffer.

Recently I made a report on this theme and found out that it’s a big problem for our society. I heard many awful stories I saw how people cried because of our bad situation our instability, unemployment and poverty our people try to earn money by any means. After unsuccessful attempts to find work they go to extremes – because who will feed their families who will help to survive in our difficult time?

I heard that our men became slaves on the construction building. People promise them money but then they take away their passports and force them to work all day. They don’t pay for their work. I saw one man who went through this experience. Now he cannot regain his health and his family suffers from this.

Our girls suffer on the strange side without money, passport and support. One girl told a story (she’s a prostitute) She had a friend. One day a car drove up to her and took her on for one night. But they took her away to Kazakhstan where she was used as a prostitute and as an ashtray; men put out their cigarettes on her body.

I heard a lot of such horror stories. I think we should inform people, to tell them truth now we just close our eyes on the problem. But if this problem will touch us we should think about this now. We (people) cannot wait for the action from the government. We should understand that together we could stop human traffic. I think that from the government is side this problem must be solved by law but from the side of the people our understanding, informing, and supporting the victims can solve this problem. I know that we cannot solve it quickly but we can to begin. It’s a good start for the (important work ahead) continuation.

Academic Honesty

By Omurzakova Asida

Something must be done against corruption in medical Academy. Because of corruption we have very dangerous situation in our hospitals. If somebody has money that person can be looked. Because of this problem doctors has changed their attitudes to people. For example students don’t study their subjects because they know how to solve their problems by other way.

I know a person who study at Medical Academy at the dentist’s faculty. She had problem with one subject and she solved her problem by giving money. After finishing University she worked in clinic. One day she made incorrect injection to little girl. But fortunately other skilled doctors saved the girl.

Today we have such problem in many hospitals. Many young doctors are not so skilled. What should we do? First of all, I think we should try to stop corruptions, especially in medical academy. Because we must protect health of people seriously. Doctors should not play with life of people. Life of people is not game. Professors of Academy should look after students with seriously

Constitutional Reform

By Akylbekov Mirambek

At present citizens of Kyrgyz Republic desperately need to be supported by the government from economic, political points of view. Experience shows that there will be no future in our country if the current situations go on. For example, the present political disorders proves that such actions lead to mass poverty unemployment and emigration of people to the foreign countries where they can live freely without fear and violation.

During the Revolution many people went bankrupt and they had nothing to do because thieves looted their businesses, they remained without nothing. So as result of this process a lot of foreign investors left our country; they became afraid of losing their own investments.

Personally, I was the witness of terrible events. One of these my acquaintance went bankrupt only because of his disability of controlling his own business. He got money on credit in sum of $1000 and opened a small business in the central part of Bishkek. The crowd of looters did not leave him without attention.

In order to stop this process we should have a plan for achieving people’s goals especially in economical affairs. The steps which we should use towards the happening situations are: 1) holding a constitutional reforms to keep a balance between the branches of government so that they can work responsibly.
2) Attracting foreign investment. For it we are required to make a favorable investment climate so that they can invest in our economy for long-range purpose.

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By Nazira Otorbayeva

The people of Kyrgyzstan desperately need to stabilize our political and economical situations. Instability on a state scale affects the personal lives of individuals and consequently leads to big crisis. However the main problem I think is uprooting corruption and racketeering. Mafia in the government slows the development of the country.

My neighbor, like many other businesses, suffered from looting after the events of March 24th. Now he is going to leave Kyrgyzstan because in Kazakhstan better conditions for business are offered to him. Here Aibek had to sell the most part of his property to pay his debts. In addition, for a very long time he suffered from racketeering and corruption. He tired from such things and now I’m losing my friend. What will we, the citizens of Kyrgyzstan do when we lose all the businessmen who invested in our economy?

I believe - I want to believe - that someday my country will become prosperous; to achieve the goal we should undertake some actions.

First of all there is need to pursue constitution reform, to balance power between the branches of government. In this case, the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the government will be afraid of each other and will work accordingly. Second, we should create a favorable business climate for entrepreneurship - particularly to accept low tax rates and to delete bureaucracy.
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How To Comment (Russian)

Уважаемые друзья!

В связи с началом общенародного обсуждения проекта Закона Кыргызской Республики "О внесении изменений и дополнений в Конституцию Кыргызской Республики" от 14 ноября 2005 года ответственный секретарь Конституционного совещания Зулпиев Бектур Рыспаевич сообщает, что по данному законопроекту граждане и коллективы, общественные объединения, политические партии, государственные органы могут направлять свои предложения, замечания, рекомендации и мнения по следующему адресу:

Администрация Президента Кыргызской Республики,
адрес: 720003, город Бишкек, Дом Правительства,
ответственному секретарю Конституционного совещания
Зулпиеву Бектуру Рыспаевичу

телефакс: (0-312) 21-86-27, 61-02-12;
телефоны: (0-312) 61-02-12, 62-61-93, 66-70-36, 62-63-78;
E-mail: legal_1@mail.gov.kg; legal_2@mail.gov.kg

Government

By Janat Bieshenalieva

I bother about the instable situation in Kyrgyz Republic. People habited to make mass meeting after the 24th of March 2005 in order to solve some problems. If they faced with simple problem they straightly would go to White House and demand the solution.

For instance, on the 8th of April 2006, peaceful mass meetings hold in Bishkek organized by the members of coalition for democracy the leader of which is Edil Bisalov and the party Ar Namys’, Feliks Kulov was the leader of this party but now rejected it, because he is Prime Minister of our Republic, that’s why he cant be in two positions, he should choose either the post of Prime Minister or the leader of party Of course, he chooses the first one. Baisalov and he members of coalition and the 'Ar Namys’ walked down the Sovietskaya Street till the Square Ala Too. I noticed the same demand of mass meeting makers with the Rispek Akmatbaeiv’s people, the member of party and coalition demanded to talk to the President Kurmanbek Salievich Bakiev, and the people of Rispek also wanted it Akmatibaev’s people were satisfied with their demand because the president had a dialog with that people but not the people of Coalition and Party. As mass media has written that Bakiev ignored them.

The Coalition and Party do not want to allow the criminal to Parliament, but how they cannot understand that there is already a criminal in our government? The members know it but they do not want to know about it. These two, party and coalitions, don’t want to accept the other criminal, they need not a competition. They want to be unique. This is reason of organizing mass meetings.

My suggestion related to this problem is to find smart and young men instead of existed governors. Nowadays governors are too old and the majority of that people were born at the time of communism, their ideas about democracy are quite different because they use to live in communism, they sometimes confuse is some cases, maybe they mix the communism with democracy. I respect the communist people because I also know the people who used to live in communism. I appreciate them. But I’d like to see them at the head of Communist Republic; they would be great governors, but not in Democratic Republic, because the feature of democracy and communism are very different. That’s why, to my mind sometimes we face with some strange obstacles. Consequently we need smart and a man full of enthusiasm to work as a head of our Republic.

Crime

By Lena Lee

In our country we have more than 20 criminal organizations, which threaten businessmen and persons who have money. But problem consists in situation in our country. As you know election of deputy to kenesh will be in the early future and one of the chiefs of criminal organizations will be nominated lat year 8 famous persons were killed in the Bishkek. One of them was General Chinibek Ather. It was a big scandal. Police made investigations and arrest Rispek Akmatbaev.

But I have personal story, my father was a victim of criminal organization, and fortunately he didn’t die, but his friend General Alimbaev was killed. My father was suffered by 5 bullets. This business wasn’t open and police doesn’t say anything about it. But they think that it was done by one criminal group who’s chief is Rispek Akmatbaev. And this criminal authority will be nominated to the election. I suppose that it isn’t right because many people know about his deals. He isn’t a good man who can be a deputy.

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By Djekshenova Beka

I am worried about my life. Because there are a lot of things to worry about. When I think about our dark streets in the night its make me feel bad. It is very dangerous to walk down the streets alone, especially in the nighttime. I know that you would has “why are you walking in the night, sit at home!” but nevertheless people meet each other, celebrated, goes to dates, and everything happened in the evening or night. There are lucky people who have own vehicles or money to get home but there are many another people who couldn’t let it themselves.

I’m saying this, because I afraid of being raped or killed or something else. I met this risk many times. When I lived near the Osh Bazaar; it was very difficult to get home. There a lot of quantity of drunk, homeless and hungry men who are waiting the good moment to rob or kill someone.

I was catched up many times, but I was lucky. I’ve lived in the house that began to open a mini-motel in the apartments. And every man came there to take a prostitute. It was impossible to walk in the street; everyone called me prostitute and that they took me somewhere, even policemen came there. One evening when I was coming back home, few policemen catched me demanded the documents and threatened to take me away if I don’t prove that I’m simply live in that house. But such stories are happened everywhere in the city. The whole city is in darkness in the night.

They must set more light, more security officers on the street. But I don’t think that it will improve the situation. Nobody controlled in the streets. Even if there will be killing someone the people wouldn’t react on it and help him because they don’t want to have a problems.

HIPC

By Sandro

Hello everybody! We happy to see you here again. We are from Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan).

Today we want to tell you about one project. This program is HIPC (high indebted poor countries).

With the “help” of this program our debt will be cancelled, our government should decide “to be or not to be”.

Advantage is our debt (about 2.5 billions dollars) will be cancel.

USA and other countries will help us to struggle with corruption, develop economic, struggle with poor!!!!

Disadvantages are this contract is valid 40 years. And these countries will dictate us how to manage our state.

According to this document government of Kyrgyzstan can not control in businesses of this community. And during 40 years we will be “colony” but I know a lot of people who support this program. Because with our international debt nobody will invest money in our country. If we reject this project bad situation in Kyrgyzstan will continue.

What can we say in end of our essay?

First off all our deputies do not want to work. They can not manage Kyrgyzstan by themselves. And we need foreign help!!

Second bad side is reputation; we will work in cooperation with Africa’s countries!!! It is SHAME!!! But we do not have other way to improve the situation.

When we knew about this project we did not approve it. But as I said we DO NOT have another choice.

Our deputies very selfish and they do not think about reputation, life of ordinary people. They want to receive profit from this program.

If we agree all over the world we will have status one of the poorest states.

Students from Bishkek!!

This is our E-mail Shurik.kg @mail.ru

Corruption

By Chingiz

There is a anecdote about the Kyrgyz nation. One when different nation appeared on the earth they began quarreling to get more land. God decided to distribute the earth himself. Every nation stood in line and God began giving out land. First the Russians got the largest one, because he came early to the queue. After him American, Canadian, Kazakh, Indian, Chinese, and all other nations got their share of land.

Meanwhile the Kyrgyz was sleeping and when he came to God for his part of the earth there wasn’t even one square meter. God didn’t know what to do and decided to give the Kyrgyz his own residence. This residence is Kyrgyzstan, place of paradise. Natural resources, unique lake Issyk-Kul, beautiful mountains with glaciers, and so forth. I can’t enumerate all the advantages.

About our positive sides. Our nation used to be hospitable, very kind, and friendly but after decay of the Soviet Union we suddenly got independence and it wasn’t expected. Our governors didn’t know what to do. I think our government made some mistakes.

In the beginning of the 1990s all properties of the Kyrgyz state were appraised cheaply and sold out. Now the state only has tax income. If income is so little, surely the economy will fail. It is certainly the outcome of incorrect governing. I think the first reason for the mistakes is bad education. And corruption is the reason for the bad education. This corruption exists everywhere in our Republic, from maternity hospital to the grave.

One example. On Sunday April 9th about one o’clock at night my friends and I were in the car. Suddenly another car, a Lexus X300 with furious speed came down and hit our car. I heard the loudest sound and our car spun around three times. We immediately got out of the car. Fortunately we weren’t hurt much. The ambulance and police came. The cause of the accident was because the driver of the Lexus X300 was drunk. He could hardly stand. I heard that he is an important man. Either he is a big business man or a member of government.

When the inspector came, a sober man was substituted for the drunk man. The inspector saw all of this, but he ignored it because they gave him a bribe. After when we were alone with the inspector I asked about this bribery and he answered that his salary is 3000 som [$75 a month] a little more or less. With this money he cannot support his family.

They think the base of corruption is the small salaries. But I don’t agree with them because even if the government increased salaries to $1000 our people wouldn’t stop the bribery. It is in our blood. To my mind, this disease has only one cure. It is discipline. Neither Akaev nor Bakiev have strong discipline. I heard that our Republic is in 12th place in having gold resources in the world. We can pay our debts to other countries with it.

We cannot change the situation by changing the presidential form of government to the parliamentary form or to a mix or even to absolute monarchy. In conclusion I want to say we need a chief with features honest, fair and strong disciplined.

Corruption in Education

By an anonymous student

Corruption is done by one on group of people who has a lot of power. Their goal is to acquire any kind of financial and other material values in illegal way and spread on use this pecuniary by oneself. It means that again our people and country suffer from such kind of serious menace.

Unfortunately corruption is one of the huge problems in our country. Corruption exists in each field and it seems that our country can’t survive without out it but it’s useless. If we take into consideration our economy and also our natural resources with corruption it’s too difficult to imagine our future and we don’t know what will happen tomorrow with our beautiful country.
In this dark forest we can find out the only right and light way to develop our country with educated professionals and trained personnel who know their job. But you can find corruption here too.

For our small country, there are a lot of universities and people with diplomas. If you would like to enter the best universities first of all you should pay a lot of money for it. After entering, during both semesters, you should pass each class for money. Millions of students pay money for their education, pass exams for money, and they often get diplomas without knowing anything about their professions. There are only a few students who study honestly but even good students are sometimes made by their teachers to give bribes because some teachers don’t want to give the student the mark they deserve.

Also you can acquire the diplomas in this way too. In Kyrgyzstan, after graduating from the university students get two kinds of diplomas: honor diplomas or "red" diplomas for excellent achievement and a simple one or "blue" diploma for good achievement. So after university you can find a well paid job only by good acquaintances; of course, here money plays a big role too. And after getting over this kind of thievery the new "specialist" would be a bribe-taker for everyone because he used to study for money and did everything with the help of money and he tried to return all of his expenditures. It is a big mess in society without beginning and ending.

Our country is backward and stopped developing because of corruption in the education and that is the big reason for our trouble. Our government doesn’t care about it and even doesn’t try to stop this mess. The person who does a crime like this is supposed to go to prison for 8-15 years and have their property confiscated and have no right to be in the government or engaged in business for three years. But it rarely works.

The reason is the local government closes their eyes to it because they are working in this system and it seems that everyone is satisfied with it. This huge problem is deeply buried in the people’s consciousness and each youth who should develop our Kyrgyzstan grew up with corruption and everything is easy for them if they have money. They don’t understand that corruption is profitable only under certain conditions.

Nobody knows what our country will be like in 30, 50 or 100 years. How our children and grandchildren will live. They don’t understand yet that corruption is destroying us and Kyrgyzstan could disappear in the future. The new generation should understand it and try to prevent corruption in education because corruption begins from it. We must remember that we can do almost everything honestly with our own hands and begin to study using our brain to get a good education without buying marks and diplomas. You know a diploma is just paper and it isn’t important. The most important thing is our mind. I mean we should be professionals in our fields and teachers will give a good mark for your abilities with great pleasure if you are eager and bright and remember that "knowledge is power." I hope everybody will understand it and then corruption in our country would be less. I have said less because it couldn’t disappear forever. But it’s never too late to mend. Now we are building our house after several years and we will live in it and we shouldn’t waste out time and we must work hard because education is one precious inheritance that has been left to us by our parents. So out future is in our hands and we’ll have to wait and see.

The Situation in Kyrgyzstan

By an anonymous student

I am against canceling the death penalty. The person who committed a crime should bear corresponding punishment. Certainly we do not have the right to take away from someone life. But it is a real life. These people who make such grave crime should be sentenced to the death penalty. Such people are probably not able to understand that it is impossible to take away another's life. It is necessary to remove pink glasses.

I am very much disturbed with the situation in the country. I think we should change all structure of government officials and all chiefs and put in perceptive young men, then all would change. Now there are many young perceptive people who would bring a big contribution to the development of Kyrgyzstan. The president, ministers, deputies, all of them speak well but do not do anything real.

During disputes over the form of the government, one of my group mates said, "I prefer the parliamentary form of government and people will choose the prime minister." Half of the population is without education and how can they choose?! March 24th is an example of this.

People who do not know the essence of business and listen to people which dictate them rules have put in a new head of state, Bakiev Kurmanbek Salievich. Last year, people who started the revolt in the city, in the most direct sense of the word regret that we have put it on the post of the president. I am not going to lower someone's personal human qualities, but he isn't the person that should operate the country. 24th March, how is it that this day is named a holiday? A year has passed and March 24th should mark the desire, and should not force all civil servants such as rectors of high schools, directors of schools, etc.

Five Short Essays From English Students at the Kyrgyz State Law Academy

Different Cultures Between Kyrgyzstan and Other Countries
My sister's name is Aida. For many years she wanted to visit Great Britain and her dream was realized a few days ago. But yesterday Aida called me and she was crying because the family who she lives with is very strange for her. In Bishkek my sister has a very big house, a car, and favorite friends. But in Brighton, the town where she lives now, Aida doesn't have anything, except that family, but anyway, it's not her family. So, in Kyrgyzstan she's a rich girl, but in Great Britain she's poor. Another characteristic of Brighton is that there are many people with untraditional [sexual] orientations. It is also unusual for her. In Kyrgyzstan she studied at the American University in Central Asia. Now Aida regrets about her moving to England. This story teaches everybody that not every dream will come true. Not only dreams, but also plans must be planned carefully.

A Few Words ABout my Family
My parents divorced when I was 10 years old. It was very difficult for me. I can't forgive my mother and father.

About My Best Friend
Her name is Siidegul. She is 18. She lives in Bishkek. She study here. We are friendly 12 years. She is a very good friend and cleaver. She likes walking. She likes playing football, basketball, reading, listen to music and dancing. It's difficult to find a friend like she. She likes to travel.

My Best Friend
My best friend's name is Miyaz. He is fifteen years old. He studies at 13th school, in nine class. I know his family and his relations. He does 2 sports: 1st kickboxing, 2nd he goes to swimming pool and he goes to English courses. I know him many years. His hobbies chat at mobile internet with his friends and talking about cars. He dreams to buy a Mercedes Benz Miboh and VW Bantly. He sleeps until 2 AM on holidays. He loves eating meat and drinking Coca-Cola.

Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is a mountain country. And I like it because it's my country, and our country have a beautiful lake whose name is Issuk-Kul. In the other countries it's name is Gem of Kyrgyzstan. Our country have a beautiful forests, rivers, and many interesting places. Do you know about Burana? It was a beautiful tower in a Chui Valley. In history have a legend about the tower: Many-many years ago when very strong king going to fortune teller and the said "When your daughter was eighteen she die." King was scare and built big tower and let her daughter in this tower but when his daughter was eighteen dark spider bite her and she die. I can say many interesting about my country but time was go very fast.

Я и Кыргызстан

By Zina

Наша республика в данный момент очень в трудном положении находится Вот недавно мы президента поменяли И все это было не просто Событие 24 марта было известно по всему миру Когда это все показывали по всем каналом телевидении мне было очень стыдно за свою страну Не знаю как себя почувствовал сам Акаев но мне кажется точно не хорошо Ведь его теперь вся страна узнали как он покинул свой президентский пост Самое страшное в истории он остался самым позорным первым президентом Кыргызской Республики Но он мог этого не допустить Тогда почему он этого не сдалал Разве он так хотел Надо спросить все это у себя самому

Мой взгляд что Акаев во все не плохой экс-президент Он просто не заметил как все быстро произошло Не он один все эту кашу натворил Есть еще премьер-министр депутаты а они вышли сухим из воды Я считаю что если бы Акаев был бы хитрым человеком то он заранее все спланировал бы И торжественно покинул бы свой пост А просто был добрым человеком
Мне противно смотреть на тех кто сидит на высоких должностях и ведет свою игру днлая вид что работают ради нашего светлого будущего Есть конечно же среди них честные люди и патриоты Но их очень мало Сколько совершено в стране заказных убийств и иони не раскрыты потому что совершены криминальными личностями взаимосвязанными с чиновниками Все они прикрывают друг друга боясь что кто-то может рассказать о них правду Мое сердце просто разрывается когда я вижу на улице ненужных детей и слышу пустые обещания чиновников Очень жаль нашу страну где истинных патриотов очень мало Многие утверждают что они патриоты своей страны но хочется спросить А что ты сделал для своей страны Если ты считаешь себя патриотом так докажи это Так что не каждый может утверждать что он патриот даже я потому что я еще ничего не сделала для своей страны хотя готова отдать за нее жизнь и я все равно буду бороться за справедливость и счастье маленьких человечков

Кыргызстан – моя страна

By Shirin

Я слушая лекцию Мистера Дэвида о многом подумала, точнее о моей стране. Наша республика хоть и молодая, я бы сказала уже в пути к лучшей жизни. По сравннию США, конечно она совсем молодая. Как нам сказал Мистер Дэвид, в США оказывается народ в курсе, например президент сколько зарплату получает или же скажем министры сколько зарплату получают. А у нас попробуй узнать, кто какую зарплату получают .Возьмем нашу Акадамию, сколько бюджет им выделяет и эти выделенные деньги растрачена ли в пользу Академиии.

К чему все это говорю, к тому что в США значит все открыто т. е .все от личной жизни, чиновников, до их рабочей жизни. Мне это очень понравилось, народ видит кто как живет, как работают. Если в нашей стране была бы такая система, как в США , то я думаю наша республика быстрее развивалось бы чем сейчас. Почему, потому что мы знаем наши чиновники не так уж хорошо работают ради народа. И вообще ни один из чиновников не собирается служить для процветания страны. Они же живут за счет государства, за счет нечестно заработанные деньги . К сожалению их волнует свои банковские счеты торговые точки. А не проблема народа . Всем известно что один депутат за своюзарплату не может купить огромный особняк стоищей 20 тысчяч долларов или же 5-6 автомобилей каждая стоит не менее 15 тысяяяч долларов откуда все эти шикарные вещи берутся Разве он может получать столько зарплату Конечно нет Значит эти деньги народа Самая грустная что им не стыдно за это А ведь они когда–то дали клятву что будут служить для своей страны честно и долго

Если будет у нас независимая организация которое наблюдает за всем этим незаконнопользующимися людьми то бюджжет страны резко повысится Пенсионеры инвалиды учители врачи будут получать зарплату гораздо больше чем раньше И соответственно их жизнь улучшится Я еще пока студентка но я очень постараюсь вложить силу чтобы в нашей стране была такая организация А пока все это мое личное мнение о нашей стране

Victim of the Tradition

By Nurilya

When I studied at school I had a classmate. She studied excellently. She planned to be a doctor in the future. Her family was big. There were five daughters and no boys in her family. It troubled her father. He thought a boy would be his heir. The role of a boy is more important than a girl in our Kyrgyz family. She and her sisters loved their father best of all and respected him.

After finishing school she entered the university. She studied very well at the university. Then one day her countryman kidnapped her and abducted her for marriage. She was shocked and didn’t expect such an outcome. She wanted to run away and threatened suicide. She even argued that she had a boyfriend, but all in vain.

The role of the relatives is big too in the life of a Kyrgyz person. Her relatives made her stay. They said your father blessed you. If you refuse our family would be shamed. She eventually gave in. Gradually their marriage was crashing. Several times she tried to kill herself. Eventually he set her free.

This is just one example. According to some estimates, upwards of 30 percent of the country’s married women have been snatched from the street by their husbands in a custom known as "ala kachuu" which translates roughly as "grab and run."
According to some estimates in the Naryn region alone an estimated 55 percent of all women were abducted against their will and forced into marriage. Only 10 percent of abducted women dared to stand for their rights and leave their abductors.

A majority of men kidnapping girls kidnap them whether she knows him or not. Sometimes it happens that she has never seen him or never heard about him. Such abductions exist particularly in rural areas.

I consider bride kidnapping as gender-based violence. Everybody has a right to live, to choose, to speak, to rest, to be educated. Women’s rights are violated by not giving the right to a woman to choose her future husband. All democratic countries provide for and protect people’s rights and freedoms. But in our country the rights and freedoms of people are not protected by the government.

The main problem is that the mentality of the people is not ready. If the girl refuses marriage the local society will curse her. In Jalal-abad it was revealed the in every 10 divorces registered, seven were in families founded through bride kidnapping.

It is necessary to end such kind of traditions which gainsay the rights and freedom of the person. My opinion is negative. We must not keep such abductions which spoil women’s life.

Наша столица

By Gulbara

7 июня 2003 года мы праздновали 125-летие Бишкека. Этот юбилей стал одной из кульминаций года кыргызской государственности, который широко отмечается в нашей стране при поддержке ООН. Столица любого государства - это город, в котором отражен менталитет народа. Поэтому статус столицы закреплен в Конституции. Начиная с 19 века, когда было принято решение о переносе в Бишкек центра кыргызского края, город выступал объединителем земель и родов, организатором грядущего государственного становления.

Выступая на торжественном заседании, посвященном, юбилею Бишкек стал той точкой опоры, которая повернула кыргызский народ в новое историческое качество, позволила вновь возродить генетическое народное стремление к единству, национальному самосознанию.

Бишкек - не только столица государства, но и любимый город для кыргызов. Здесь собраны лучшие силы нации из всех мест, из самых отдаленных аулов и селений по зову и предначертанию судьбы. Бишкек – это сообщество разума, воли и духовности, образовавшееся в самом сердце Чуйской долины. Именно здесь рождались и обретали полет великие идеи национального возрождения и духа новой кыргызской государственности.

Можно только удивляться тому, как стремительно шел город к сегодняшнему уровню развития. Первый завод появился ровно 123 года назад, а первая телефонная линия не насчитывает и века, чуть менее 80 лет прошло со времени строительства первого участка железной дороги, только 63 года кыргызскому филиалу академии наук. Все эти сроки соизмеримы с жизнью всего двух поколений. За столь короткий исторический отрезок город прошел путь от глинобитного селения до современного многофункционального полиса, крупного центра национального и регионального значения.

Город – труженик, город – патриот всегда трудился, не покладая рук. Значительная заслуга Бишкека состоит в том, что он стал центром формирования главного богатства нации – образования. У нас в стране очень высоко ценится образование. Опираясь на братскую помощь к4рупнейших научных центров России, столица Кыргызстана в короткий срок сформировала сильнейший образовательный комплекс, позволивший не только добиться самой высокой в Центральной Азии грамотности населения, но и вырастить достойную национальную интеллигенцию, корпус специалистов для всех сфер народного хозяйства. Город уверенно строит новую экономику, ищет новые формы общественного самоуправления, идет в авангарде борьбы за преодоление бедности.


Высочайшей гордостью столицы являются ее жители. Это элита страны, ее гордость. Бишкекчане талантливы и трудолюбивы, среди них – звезды нашей науки и культуры, видные общественные деятели. Бишкек – город межэтнического согласия и дружбы, лучше всего подтверждающий нашу национальную идею – «Кыргызстан – наш общий дом.»

Four Short Essays from Second Course Students at the International University of Kyrgyzstan

Civil War in Kyrgyzstan by Elisa Norusbaeva

It's our future program but I hope that civil war won't happen. Our country is small and we can hold out together.

Why will it happen? I think its all about money. Our south part is poorer than the north. More farms, factories, and universities are situated here. The north land is very good for crops we can help the south. I couldn't help them but our president and parliament can- but they think about themselves. Our future is strained and I hope that our future will be good. Maybe Kyrgyzstan will be divided: one part will be connected to Kazakstan and another part to Uzbekistan and I don't want to be a citizen of Kazakstan or Uzbekistan. I live in Kyrgyzstan and want to stay here.
We should value and respect different kinds of ethnic people.


About Our Young People by Irina

I want to write a message about our young people, because in our days we have a big problem with young people. They are really rude, amoral, without any compassion towards surrounding people, especially towards an old people. They don't have any aims to build their life, to make a fitting life for their parents. They just like to smoke, drink alcohol, have an easy life.

I want to write some suggestions and my personal experience. Suggestions are very simple, people please don't be egoists, we need really virtuous people.

And my personal experience, I want lighing, smiling every day. But I can't. Because you are very indifferent towards pain of your citizens, friends, relatives, parents...
eva_i86@mail.ru


Keeping Bishkek Clean by Anara Boipoeva

In school the teachers must teach the rules of the street. My teacher explained to me that the trash contains dangerous things. The trash smells like air pollution. It smells unpleasant and distasteful. Trash contains viruses. It could make someone ill.

My neighbour Akul is 20. Sometimes he throws trash in the street. It is not good. Bishkek has many dirty places that could make us ill. Probably he doesn't understand. He will learn good habits in observing the behavior of people in the market.

I lived with my uncle and aunt in a flat. Near the building was rubbish. They have children and they play near the garbage. The younger child was often sick. I believe the reason was trash. The dustman doesn't clean up every week, & the trash cans always were full. So people threw the trash near the trash can.

I believe that the people will understand when they study the rules of the street and soon our city will be clean. Everybody hasn't spare time to study, but maybe they will force themselves. I hope next year many people will be educated, more than now.
Anara-light@rambler.ru


Crime and Rape Problem by Zarina Sabaeva

I think the government should take some action on the problems of crime and rape. First they must increase police on the corners, on the street and protecting our houses. Second they must cut unemployment.

When I study at school one day my classmate was beaten by some criminals. They beat him only for his coat. As a result of this accident he lay in the hospital for three months because he had bad head injuries. Another day my girlfriends met some boys and they lied to them and they went home with them, but these boys couldn't rape them because when the girls screamed so loud in the flat neighbors came and saved them. It was awful. After this story they are frightened and now they never trust boys.