Omurbek Tekebaev Criticizes Recent Changes in Kyrgyz State Structure

Usually the most sophisticated analyses of the political situation in Kyrgyzstan are provided by the leading members of the Socialist Party ‘Ata-Meken’ (Fatherland). Not long ago I posted an article from Vice- Chairman Alymbekov, in which the former Vice Speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh discusses the advantages of democracy and disadvantages of authoritarianism using an approach that borrows some of its terms from systems theory.

This time the leader of Ata-Meken, Omurbek Tekebaev, steps forward with a trenchant critic of Kyrgyz president Bakiev’s plans to reform the government and most of the state apparatus. His analysis first sheds light on trends in Kyrgyzstan’s history of independence before deconstructing the myth behind the slogan of progressiveness and reform in Bakiev’s actions. Tekebaev points out the meaning behind some special changes. He highlights the role of the new ‘Central Agency’ that will take over management of all financial resources and that will be responsible for forming the budget without being subject to any further (public) control. He also directs attention to the new ‘Development Fund’, which will be headed by former Prime Minister Igor Chudinov and supervised by former State Channel Director Melis Eshimkanov. This fund will be the new gate for all foreign money to enter into Kyrgyzstan and like the activities of the Central Agency, it will not be subject to any control. Such fact alone should make all donors stop sending (useless) development aid to Kyrgyzstan.

Tekebaev’s comment did not remain unheard in Kyrgyzstan. Though published only at www.centrasia.ru and at the website of the Social Democratic Party, the Genprokurator found out about it and now considers an investigation against this ‘last opponent’ for alleged defamation of the president. This reaction by the law enforcement agencies was answered by the head of the Human Rights organization ‘Kylym Shamy’, Aziza Abdirasulova, who issued a press release, condemning the actions of the Genprokuratura and supporting Tekebaev’s right to freedom of expression.

Tekebaev’s article starts as follows:

To download the full article as pdf follow the link: Report_OmurbekTekebaev

The Statement from ‘Kylym Shamy’ reads as follows:

Attacked Kyrgyz Journalist Kubanych Zholdoshev Repudiates MVD Report

Kubanych Zholdoshev, head of the net of correspondents of the Osh city newspaper ‘Osh shamy’, was beaten up at the beginning of November this year. The police that filed a report about this incident spread false information according to a recent press release from Zholdoshev. The MVD employees described the journalist as being drunk, did not mention their authoritarian attitude towards the journalist and his drive and forgot to report that the criminals who had beaten up Zholdoshev stole money from him and threatened him to cut his tongue out.

Such misinformation forced Zholdoshev to release a written statement repudiating the MVD report. Here is a photocopy of the statement and a typed version of it: