In today’s opposition protests in Bishkek, the new moderate prime minister Almaz Atambayev came out to address the crowds but was booed off stage before he could finish. When he was first appointed just two weeks ago, I thought someone like Atambayev, while definitely a last minute swap on Bakiyev’s part, could promote some reasoned dialogue. The hatred people were expressing today was pretty suprising however. [And not necessarily logical either. The photo above says ‘bridge’ in Kyrgyz – suggesting he’s either temporary or an intermediary] There’s some good analysis of Atambayev’s position in Vecherniy Bishkek – is he a Trojan horse, a turncoat or a simply presidential wannabe?
The constitutional amendments submitted today by a committee led by Atambayev are only to be considered by Parliament next Monday,the 16th. With bad weather forecasted, it’s possible that demonstrators may get restless well before then.
The numbers of protesters reported range from MP Eshimkanov’s laughable 50,000 to the government’s 3,500, with most sources citing 6-10 thou. IWPR has a good piece on the information war that I had mentioned in a post. Still with more than 30 yurts already with the parts for many more and over 60 army-issue tents already set up, it’s clear that more people are expected over the next few days.
Finally, I’ve noticed more of these signs around town of late. Apparently, Bakiyev is commonly referred to as ‘Baks,’ which sounds like the informal term for the US dollar. [‘Ket’ is the Turkic root for leave or just the imperative ‘get out.’] The slogan has a pretty catch sound to it and the symbol holds a whiff of corruption and I think, anti-Americanism — and by extension, all foreign influence. After all, this is from the same opposition that was so vehemently anti-HIPC just recently.
