Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan Marks Anniversary Of Revolution

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev speaking on the first anniversary of the 'Tulip Revolution,' on March 24 (RFE/RL)

PRAGUE, March 24, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev marked the first anniversary of the popular uprising that ousted his predecessor by saying that Kyrgyzstan is now a different country and that it will not return "to totalitarianism and state corruption, and there will be no injustice."

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March 24, 2006

One year ago today, crowds in Bishkek stormed the presidential building and chased former President Askar Akaev from power. Akaev fled first to Kazakhstan then to Russia, where he remains.

Bakiev became acting president and was elected to the post in early presidential elections in July.

Bakiev also promised to improve economic conditions.

In comments made on March 24, U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch also emphasized economic issues, calling on Bakiev to start political and economic reforms "so that Kyrgyzstan's future will be assured."

The Tulip Revolution

ONE YEAR AGO: Click on the image to view RFE/RL's archive of coverage of Kyrgyzstan's Tulip Revolution from the beginning, including biographical sketches of the key players and photo galleries of the demonstrations.

See RFE/RL's special review of the March 2005 Kyrgyz events:

Questions Remain About March 24 'Revolution' (Part I)

Did Revolution Sow The Seeds Of Democracy? (Part II)

Was 'Revolution' A Worthy Successor To Rose And Orange? (Part III)

THE COMPLETE KYRGYZSTAN: To view an archive of all of RFE/RL's coverage of Kyrgyzstan, click here.

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