(I had intended to post this to registan.net but, fool that I am, I’ve lost my login details).
It looks like the anti-government protests in Kyrgyzstan are finally moving from the south to the city that really matters - the capital Bishkek - and beginning to put serious pressure on President Akayev. The reaction to the protest shows how concerned Akayev is:
BBC Central Asia correspondent Monica Whitlock said the demonstration in Bishkek had grown in size rapidly, starting with a few hundred people and a family atmosphere, but attracting thousands more as it passed through the city.
An AP reporter said the Akayev loyalists wore civilian clothes but had blue armbands on.
The men in armbands chased protesters away from a platform in a central square, before the demonstrators charged back and drove them away again, the reporter said.
Reuters correspondent Dmitry Solovyov said: "There is a fight going on with sticks and stones between thousands of people. It’s volatile and people are running in all directions, chasing each other with sticks and stones."
He said he heard several gunshots but could not say who had fired them.
(Note: The BBC have a habit of updating stories on the same page so, in a few hours, this link may not contain the exact text above).
The next couple of days - perhaps even the next few hours - are going to be the key test of the durability of both the opposition and Akayev.
Akayev has already shown willingness to use force, but so far only by usuing hired thugs, it seems. The protestors, however, have momentum on their side. If they show that they are not going to back down to this pressure, for Akayev, the choice becomes stark. Up the level of force used, or back down to the protestors demands. I’d expect him to try and up the level of force, but I’m not sure how much of a stomach for this fight his supporters, the police, and the military actually have.
- What next?
Stumble it
Digg it
Save to Delicious
Leave a comment
Subscribe
