Thursday, May 25, 2006

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

Friday, May 05, 2006

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.