Gulnoza Saidazimova

Also by Gulnoza Saidazimova

• March 30, 2005

  Kyrgyzstan: Is Akaev Really Prepared To Resign?

  Askar Akaev (file photo) In his first appearance since last week's apparent revolution in Kyrgyzstan, ousted President Askar Akaev spoke to the public yesterday. Akaev insisted on Russian radio and television that he remains Kyrgyzstan's president. But he suggested he would resign if he is offered certain "guarantees." Is Akaev really ready to resign -- and if so, what are the guarantees that he wants?

• March 29, 2005

  Kyrgyzstan: What Changes Did The Revolution Bring?

  Interim President and Premier Kurmanbek Bakiev After days of debate, Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday granted legitimacy to its newly elected single-chamber parliament -- whose controversial election was at the heart of the protests leading to last week's ouster of President Askar Akaev. So Akaev is gone, but the disputed parliament remains. Has Kyrgyzstan's "revolution" brought about as many changes as expected?

• March 25, 2005

  Kyrgyzstan: 'New' Leadership Drawn From Old Guard

  Roza Otunbaeva says a presidential poll will be held in June with fresh parliamentary elections after that. (file photo) Kyrgyzstan's opposition is busy forming a new government. The top names include some former close allies of ousted President Askar Akaev. They also include some former rivals who may have a difficult time working together. RFE/RL takes a closer look at whether the new leaders can gain the citizens' trust and put past differences behind them.

• March 24, 2005

  Kyrgyzstan: Will Opposition Leader Bakiev Be Kyrgyzstan's Next President?

  Many see Kurmanbek Bakiev as a likely successor to Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev. (file photo) Kurmanbek Bakiev, head of the People's Movement of Kyrgyzstan, was one of the most visible opposition figures during antigovernment protests in Bishkek today. The former prime minister last year became the first candidate nominated to stand in this October's presidential elections. But in the recent parliamentary elections, which are at the heart of the current demonstrations, Bakiev failed to win a seat, despite running against a relatively unknown businessman. So what are his chances now? Will Bakiev emerge as the clear leader of the opposition movement and a likely successor to President Askar Akaev?

• March 23, 2005

  Police Quash Bishkek Protest, Hint At Tougher Measures

  Police arrest an opposition supporter in downtown Bishkek today 23 March 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Hundreds of people gathered in the capital today to support the Kyrgyz opposition, which wants new parliamentary elections and the resignation of President Askar Akaev.

• March 23, 2005

  Kyrgyz Officials Seek Meeting With Protesters

  Protesters rally in Osh yesterday 23 March 2005 (RFE/RL) -- As demonstrators protesting what they call fraudulent parliamentary polls continue to hold key government buildings in Kyrgyzstan, President Askar Akaev has dismissed two senior officials for failing to rein in protesters.

• March 22, 2005

  Kyrgyzstan: Could It Emerge As Another Ukraine Or Georgia?

  A presidential spokesman says the activities of the Kyrgyz opposition amount to "a putsch and a coup." It's becoming a familiar pattern. Failed elections, massive protests, government intransigence, and finally people power. But do events this week in Kyrgyzstan really resemble the recent revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine? The Kyrgyz opposition would like to think so, but some of the facts say otherwise. The Kyrgyz protests so far have been more violent and less controlled than in the other two countries. And Russia's role has yet to emerge. RFE/RL reports on what may be significant differences.

• March 21, 2005

  Kyrgyzstan: Authorities Attempt To Contain Protests, Negotiate

  The Kyrgyz opposition holds a people's congress, "Kurultai," in Osh on 19 March. As anti-government protesters hold administration buildings in southern regions, including Jalal-Abad and Osh, Kyrgyz authorities are pledging to seek a negotiated solution. But will they be able to solve the problem peacefully or will the demonstrations grow stronger?

• March 18, 2005

  Kazakhstan: Government Moves To Add Hizb Ut-Tahrir To List Of Terror Groups

  Kazakhstan's prosecutor-general has asked a court to ban the activities of Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamic organization that claims to disavow violence but which has been outlawed in other Central Asian countries and in Russia. The move comes as members of another Islamic group accused of involvement in last year's bombings in Uzbekistan are on trial in southern Kazakhstan.

• March 17, 2005

  Uzbekistan: Opposition Leader Tells RFE/RL About 'Farmers' Revolution'

  Nigora Hidoyatova is one of the harshest critics in Uzbekistan of President Islam Karimov. Hidoyatova is the leader of the Ozod Dehqonlar (Free Peasants) opposition party. The party was formed in late 2003, but has failed to receive official registration and thus could not participate in December's parliamentary polls. In an exclusive interview with RFE/RL, Hidoyatova speaks about her personal security, her party's new political program, and the importance of the youth movement in Uzbekistan.

• March 16, 2005

  Russia: What's Behind Putin's Reappointment Of Powerful Tatar Leader?

  Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday nominated the longtime head of the Republic of Tatarstan to serve again after his current term expires next year. The nomination came after Mintimer Shaimiev sought Putin's support under a provision of a new law allowing regional leaders to request a confirmation of confidence from the president. Observers say the move is a plus for Putin, who has faced criticism from foreign governments and liberals at home over a law he pushed for last year ending the election of leaders of Russia's administrative regions. But what is Shaimiev getting out of the deal?

• March 16, 2005

  Uzbekistan: Tashkent Property Market Loses Its Luster

  Known as the "Star of the East" in the Soviet Union, the Uzbek capital Tashkent boasts two and a half million inhabitants. That makes it the largest city in Central Asia. But Tashkent appears to have lost some of its luster in the eyes of people in the property business. A recent government effort to encourage mortgage lending in Uzbekistan is aimed at helping boost the real-estate sector. But as RFE/RL reports from Tashkent, it is not clear that the country is prepared to embrace such plans.

• March 15, 2005

  Kyrgyzstan: Fragmented Opposition Ponders Next Move After Election Defeat

  President Askar Akaev (file photo) The Kyrgyz opposition says it hopes to rebound from its poor showing in the 13 March runoff parliamentary elections in time for the presidential vote, due in October. Preliminary results show the runoff ended with President Askar Akaev maintaining a loyal majority in the 75-seat chamber. With scattered protests still continuing over the election results, opposition leaders gathered today in the southern city of Jalal-Abad in hopes of agreeing on a joint presidential candidate. What are the chances the Kyrgyz opposition can effect significant political change in the country, in light of its parliamentary failure?

• March 14, 2005

  Kyrgyzstan: Pro-Presidential Forces Emerge Strong From Elections

  Voting on 13 March The pro-presidential majority has emerged from the second round of parliamentary voting in Kyrgyzstan yesterday with a clear victory -- at least according to preliminary official results. The new parliament is expected to maintain the kind of loyalty to President Askar Akaev that has marked much of his 14 years in power. But the opposition gained a few more seats in the new unicameral parliament. As scattered opposition protests continue against alleged electoral fraud, opposition leaders insist they have emerged from these elections stronger and more united. That could be crucial as President Akaev faces what could be his final months in power.

• March 08, 2005

  Uzbekistan: Female Entrepreneur Blazes Trail Of Success

  One of Uzbekistan's most prominent businesswomen might seem like an unlikely recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. But Dildora Alimbekova is among those on a long list of women nominated for the prestigious award under an international project called "1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize." She has so far made a successful career of beating the odds -- including pioneering the private business sector under Soviet-era perestroika. So who is to say the Nobel Prize is out of reach? As the world celebrates International Women's Day, RFE/RL profiles one of Uzbekistan's leading female voices.

• March 01, 2005

  Kyrgyzstan: Media Crackdown Appears To Be Continuing

  A Kyrgyz voter casts a ballot on 27 February (file photo) The Kyrgyz government is apparently continuing to impede the flow of information from independent media outlets. Ahead of parliamentary elections on 27 February, independent websites and other media outlets were being blocked. Despite the victory of many pro-presidential candidates in the first-round elections, the crackdown seems to be continuing.

• February 28, 2005

  Kyrgyzstan: OSCE Election Observers Criticize Elections

  The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, said parliamentary elections on 27 February in Kyrgyzstan were competitive but fell short of international standards in several important areas. Opposition and independent local observers are reporting that massive fraud took place. The Commonwealth of Independent States' observer mission, however, concluded that although there were minor irregularities in the elections, overall the process was positive.

• February 28, 2005

  Kygyzstan: Youth Leader Speaks About Opposition Organization's Intentions

  KelKel (New Epoch) is a youth organization in Kyrgyzstan that was established before the February 27 parliamentary elections. Many observers, particularly those who know what role Otpor, Kmara, and Pora played in Serbia, Georgia, and Ukraine, respectively, say KelKel will become a driving force behind political changes in this Central Asian country, where the opposition is weak and fragmented but is the most active compared to other countries in the region. Alisher Mamasaliyev, the main leader of KelKel, spoke about the organization, its political positions, and its collaboration with Ukrainian and other Central Asian youth organizations in an exclusive interview with RFE/RL.

• February 28, 2005

  Kyrgyzstan: Opposition Holds Protest Ahead Of First Election Results

  The opposition protest today The Kyrgyz opposition held demonstrations in central Bishkek and in the south of the country today ahead of the first preliminary results to be released by the Central Election Commission from yesterday’s parliamentary elections. Some 500 people in the capital holding yellow and pink signs protested against alleged election fraud as well as the harassment of media outlets such as the daily “Moya Stolitsa Noviosti” and RFE/RL’s Radio Azattyk. Several thousand more rallied in southern regions.

• February 27, 2005

  Kyrgyzstan: Family Ties In Parliamentary Elections

  For news, background, and analysis on Kyrgyzstan's 27 February parliamentary elections, see RFE/RL's webpage "Kyrgyzstan Votes 2005" --> /specials/kyrgyzelections/ .

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