Response to 'Kyrgyzstan's Revenge'

This letter is a response to our article published February 11th 2009 on Salem-News.com.

A US airman offloads gear at the Ganci air base; located at Bishkek's Manas airport. Salem-News.com photo by Tim King

(LONDON, UK) - This letter is a response to our article published February 11th 2009 on Salem-News.com: Kyrgyzstan's Revenge - Justin Raimondo Special to Salem-News.com

Dear Justin,

Having read your report I felt compelled to respond to your article sub-titled "Why the Kyrgyz are kicking us out of their country?"

Yes, as you rightly pointed out, Kyrgyzstan made the headlines in 2005 due to "Tulip Revolution". What many did not realise in the West, perhaps including you, the uprising had little to do with colour revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine.

The Kyrgyz discontent was organized and given stimulus by a handful of oppositionists who had no connection with NGOs and did not receive financial backing from them since all were successful businesspeople.

Besides, on the eve of the revolution a bank was raided in a southern city of Jalal-Abad, home of the current Kyrgyz President Bakiyev. And yet the perpetrators have not been found and the case seems to have closed. There are rumours that the bank was looted to sustain the revolution. So there is no indication of American funding or whatsoever.

Furthermore, NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations) in Kyrgyzstan have played an insignificant role in removing the former president. They could hardly mobilize masses. Even if they did it was not in hundreds. Indeed, it’s well known that these organizations have received substantial funding to promote democratic values.

However, their overall affect on political developments have been far minimal. Besides, they chiefly operate in cities and lack rural support. No wonder that most Kyrgyz citizens do not know their existence.

I do agree that US bases have caused various problems including social and political in host countries. In the case of Kyrgyzstan, the story of the shot truck driver Alexander Ivanov is only a tiny part of the issue. So are claims of base’s impact on local environment. What then? Well, the answer is desperation for money! The United States spends far more on its other military bases overseas. It also offers enormous financial recourses as well as military hardware to host nations. But not to Kyrgyzstan. It thought it could remain in the country by paying under $40 million per year. The Kyrgyz leader once again raised the rent issue to get adequate payment. Alas, his calls were not responded.

At the end, Kyrgyzstan had no choice but to beg Moscow for a loan. And the condition was obviously to terminate the American base. It’s ironic to witness how several billion dollars can change power balance in Central Asia. There were reports that Washington would come up with a better offer, which we have yet to see and which is least likely.

As you mentioned "there is no real change in US foreign policy" and Washington’s willingness to open a base in Uzbekistan is a good illustration.

The American policy makers appear to have forgotten how they were thrown out of Uzbekistan in 2005. This country is internally fragile, and its power transition might not be as smooth as in Turkmenistan. Uzbek President’s repressive regime is manufacturing a time bomb. And there will be frequent uprisings and bloody put downs.

Then the US administration will find itself in dilemma of not knowing how to handle the crisis. A criticism of the Uzbek regime could again result in US base’s closure. Non criticism will further jeopardize America’s image as a nation of not a proponent of democracy but autocracy.

Finally, you said the Unites States could address the current crisis by a similar method of funding NGOs and overthrowing the Kyrgyz leader. Since last year all NGOs are closely being monitored by the Kyrgyz police, especially their funds.

Further, the President has firm grip on the country and his support base is substantial. For the foreseeable future no opposition movement is capable from ousting him from power. As such Colour Revolution in Kyrgyzstan has become a thing of the past. What’s more, Kyrgyz leader has been assured with every possible help by China and Russia, should such revolutions develop.