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Kyrgyzstan votes on referendum for new constitution

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 22:08:22 GMT

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Kyrgyzstan

Other stories from Kyrgyzstan

27 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan votes on referendum for new constitution
23 June 2010: German and Swedish foreign ministers agree on Gaza standpoint
14 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Violence continues, death toll rises
12 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Ethnic unrest continues, government asks Russia for help
14 May 2010: Interim Kyrgyz government retakes buildings after violent protests

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Location of Kyrgyzstan

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Kyrgyzstan, see the Kyrgyzstan Portal

Kyrgyzstani citizens on Sunday voted on a referendum concerning a proposed constitution ahead of the country's elections this September.

Polls are open from between 0800 and 2000 local time (0200 and 1400 UTC) today, with results of the poll expected to be made public on Monday. According to Kyrgyzstan officials, around 55% of the eligible population had participated in the poll, which was announced in April.

Under the proposed constitution, Kyrgyzstan would move towards becoming a parliamentary republic, with elections for the parliament held every five years, and presidential elections every six years. The president would serve only one term. The current interim government would stay in power until late 2011.

The current president of the country, Roza Otunbayeva, said as she voted that "the people of Kyrgyzstan are proving that the country is united, standing on its feet and going forward. As a people, we want to heal the wounds we have sustained in recent times."

The referendum, which was backed by both the United States and Russia, has been criticized for coming too soon after recent violence in the country by both various human rights groups and opposition political parties within Kyrgyzstan.

The violence was triggered by the overthrow of the former president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, leading to riots in the southern part of the country, which both the government and ethnic leaders blamed the other for.

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Sources [edit]

"Kyrgyzstan holds referendum after ethnic clashes" — BBC News Online, June 27, 2010
"Kyrgyzstan votes in key referendum" — The Associated Press, June 27, 2010

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German and Swedish foreign ministers agree on Gaza standpoint

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:25:09 GMT

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Stockholm, Sweden — On Monday, the German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle visited Stockholm for his first time. He met with Sweden's foreign minister Carl Bildt, to coordinate in-depth views on matters such as the situation in Gaza and Kyrgyzstan.

Guido Westerwelle and Carl Bild speaking in Stockholm
Image: Janwikifoto.

Carl Bildt hosted the meeting in Stockholm
Image: Janwikifoto.

Wikinews was at a press briefing by the ministers. Carl Bildt started by saying: "We work closely together in the European Union, now we had the opportunity to sit down and go through the agenda and coordinate issues. The relations between Sweden and Germany are good, and that is hardly news."

Guido Westerwelle continued, commenting that "we have foremost discussed the situation in the Middle East. We emphasize that the decision of the Israeli government is a step in the correct direction, but we are convinced that there must be a total opening of the Gaza area. We want to support the moderate forces and help the life of people."

"This is also our common European view, and last week at a foreign minister meeting we agreed that full opening of the Gaza area is the goal. We work to influence our discussion partners in the Middle East, in particular the Israeli government, and also consider that the two-state solution without doubt is the only solution for peace."

Germany's foreign minister addresses the press
Image: Janwikifoto.

Carl Bildt mentioned that they would have the opportunity for a short walk in scenic Old Town, Stockholm, and a short boat trip, while discussing further issues.

When asked about the situation in Kyrgyzstan, Carl Bildt told the reporters that "the situation is exceedingly worrying; the information we had over the weekend talks about the order of 2,000 dead and the order of 400,000 people who left their homes. This is in a very fragile part of central Asia."

"What we see necessary now is first to stabilize the situation quickly, then to be certain our aid is reaching people. There are talks about an international civilian police mission, to build the confidence which is a necessity for people to return. The situation is alarming."

Guido Westerwelle agreed, and said that "the first we do is protection of our European citizens, the second and very important is to protect the refugees so they have the chance to come to safe circumstances, and thirdly to stabilize the situation. Germany has started very quickly with a programme to help the refugees."

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This article features first-hand journalism by Wikinews members. See the collaboration page for more details.

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Kyrgyzstan: Violence continues, death toll rises

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 01:10:11 GMT

Monday, June 14, 2010

Kyrgyzstan

Other stories from Kyrgyzstan

27 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan votes on referendum for new constitution
23 June 2010: German and Swedish foreign ministers agree on Gaza standpoint
14 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Violence continues, death toll rises
12 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Ethnic unrest continues, government asks Russia for help
14 May 2010: Interim Kyrgyz government retakes buildings after violent protests

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Location of Kyrgyzstan

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Kyrgyzstan, see the Kyrgyzstan Portal

According to a spokesman for the Kyrgyzstan's ministry of health's press-service, at least 97 people have been confirmed dead from recent ethnic clashes between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks. Meanwhile, thousands of ethnic Uzbeks have fled to the border with Uzbekistan to escape the ongoing violence.

"Currently, in the regions of Osh and Jhalalabad, 97 people have died. A further 1247 have been hospitalised," a spokeswoman commented. Some reports caution that the actual death toll might be higher than the figures announced.

The violence, now in its third day, initially began in the city of Osh, but has since spread to neighbouring vicinities. A resident in Jalalabad told the Agence France-Presse news service by telephone that "at the current moment, there are shoot-outs going on in the streets." Another witness described there being "a veil of smoke covering the whole city."

Cars and buildings were also been set alight by the fighting groups, with many apartments, stores, and other shops burnt to the ground in Osh. Supplies now have to be shipped in from outside the region, as it is difficult to obtain anything within the city. Meanwhile, the Kyrgyz interim government announced that it would be mobilising part of its armed forces today in an attempt to quell the violence.

A spokesman for the Ministry for Emergency Services said that supplies and medical aid has been sent down to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border to help the refugees there; as many as 75,000 Uzbeks are crowding the border trying to get into Uzbekistan. They are comprised mainly of children and elderly people; some have gunshot wounds.

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Sources [edit]

"Deadly ethnic unrest escalates in southern Kyrgyzstan" — BBC News Online, June 13, 2010
"Из Киргизии бежали 75 тысяч узбеков" — Lenta.ru, June 13, 2010 (Russian)
"Число жертв столкновений в Киргизии достигло 97 человек" — RIA Novosti, June 13, 2010 (Russian)

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Kyrgyzstan: Ethnic unrest continues, government asks Russia for help

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 20:30:09 GMT

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Kyrgyzstan

Other stories from Kyrgyzstan

27 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan votes on referendum for new constitution
23 June 2010: German and Swedish foreign ministers agree on Gaza standpoint
14 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Violence continues, death toll rises
12 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Ethnic unrest continues, government asks Russia for help
14 May 2010: Interim Kyrgyz government retakes buildings after violent protests

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Location of Kyrgyzstan

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Kyrgyzstan, see the Kyrgyzstan Portal

A second day of ethnic clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan between Kyrgyzs and Uzbeks has killed at least 62 people and wounded over 800 more, reports say, as violence there entered its second day. The interim Kyrgyz president, Roza Otunbayeva, meanwhile, appealed to the Russian government to send in troops to try and restore order.

The clashes are occurring primarily in the southern city of Osh. Witnesses say the chaos and violence has increased, and central authority collapsed, with gunfire audible throughout the city. The violence started on Thursday night, when ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks started street brawls that soon escalated into battles; riots and looting started, cars were damaged, and buildings set alight by both sides.

In a nationally televised speech, Otunbayeva commented: "I have signed a letter asking Dmitry Medvedev for third-party forces to be sent to the Kyrgyz Republic. Since yesterday the situation has got out of control. We need outside military forces to halt the situation. For this reason we have appealed to Russia for help."

Russian officials say the Kyrgyz leader had talks with Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin by telephone yesterday night.

Thousands of Uzbeks, meanwhile, have crowded the border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in an effort to flee the ongoing conflict; one child was trampled to death during the escape. According to a reporter for the BBC, people are being let through the border one by one by security guards.

By the latest official death tolls, at least 62 people have been killed, although the interim government believes that there could be up to 200 dead. Researcher for Human Rights Watch Andrea Berg cautioned that the death toll could jump once the government enters Uzbek neighbourhoods; under Uzbek tradition, the dead are buried within one day.

"We are moving corpses out of the city streets; however, there are regions that the authorities do not control, it is not known what is going on there. Additionaly, as a result of fires in the city, entire residential apartments burnt down, so there could be more dead people there as well," said a spokesman for the Russian ministry of health (Minzdrav).

Unrest also reached the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek; a medical official told the Agence France-Presse news service that 27 people were hospitalised, some of which are in critical condition.

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Sources [edit]

"Kyrgyz leader asks Russia to restore order in Osh" — BBC News Online, June 12, 2010
Bakhrom Manavov, Agence France-Presse. "Kyrgyzstan appeals to Russian military as clashes kill 62" — Yahoo! News UK & Ireland, June 12, 2010
"При беспорядках в Киргизии погибли 63 человека, более 800 ранены" — РИА Новости, June 12, 2010 (Russian)
"Число жертв беспорядков в Киргизии достигло 65 человек" — РБК - РИА РосБизнесКонсалтинг, June 12, 2010(Russian)

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Interim Kyrgyz government retakes buildings after violent protests

Fri, 14 May 2010 20:51:42 GMT

Friday, May 14, 2010

Kyrgyzstan

Other stories from Kyrgyzstan

27 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan votes on referendum for new constitution
23 June 2010: German and Swedish foreign ministers agree on Gaza standpoint
14 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Violence continues, death toll rises
12 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Ethnic unrest continues, government asks Russia for help
14 May 2010: Interim Kyrgyz government retakes buildings after violent protests

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Location of Kyrgyzstan

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Kyrgyzstan, see the Kyrgyzstan Portal

Supporters of Kurmanbek Makiyev, shown here in 2006, took over several government buildings yesterday.

The interim government of Kyrgyzstan has regained control of several government offices after a day of violent clashes with supporters of former Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Backers of the ousted president took over regional government offices in Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken in the southern part of the country yesterday. Afterward, they released a statement calling for the reinstatement of Bakiyev's administration. The provisional government, led by Roza Otunbayeva, said later that it had managed to retake the offices in Batken after the demonstrators left the buildings there. The governor of Osh also managed to reclaim the buildings in his city with the aid of civilian government supporters.

Approximately 250 protesters were reported to have forced their way into government buildings in Osh yesterday morning, unstopped by local law enforcement officials. Up to 200 other Bakiyev supporters, most of whom were women, managed to seize administration buildings in Jalal-Abad, and were also untouched by police.

A group of 4,000 pro-government citizens approached the occupied buildings in Jalal-Abad, but was quickly dispersed when gunfire was heard. Hospitals in the city reported receiving 37 people wounded in the incident, and at least one person has died. A group loyal to Bakiyev later said that they had 25,000 supporters to march into Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz government said that they would use counter-protests, rather than police forces, to combat the demonstrators.

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Sources [edit]

Kramer, Andrew E.. "Government Buildings Retaken in Kyrgyzstan" — The New York Times, May 14, 2010
"Bakiyev loyalists seize Kyrgyzstan regional offices" — BBC, May 13, 2010
Kramer, Andrew E.. "Supporters of Ex-Leader Seize Offices in Kyrgyzstan" — The New York Times, May 13, 2010
"Clashes between Kyrgyz rival groups leave one dead" — BBC, May 14, 2010

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Deposed Kyrgyz President flees to Kazakhstan

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:30:06 GMT

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Kyrgyzstan

Other stories from Kyrgyzstan

27 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan votes on referendum for new constitution
23 June 2010: German and Swedish foreign ministers agree on Gaza standpoint
14 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Violence continues, death toll rises
12 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Ethnic unrest continues, government asks Russia for help
14 May 2010: Interim Kyrgyz government retakes buildings after violent protests

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Location of Kyrgyzstan

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Kurmanbek Bakiyev in 2006.
Image: www.kremlin.ru.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev left Kyrgyzstan today for Kazakhstan after large scale protest in the country forced him to flee from the Kyrgyz capital to his home village of Teyit. Kazhakstan's secretary of state and Foreign Minister called this "an important step" to stabilize Kyrgyzstan, thereby preventing conflicts in the country.

The whereabouts of Bakiyev's brothers, whom Roza Otunbayeva, the interim President of Kyrgyzstan had refused security was not clear. The Interfax news agency of Russia mentioned witnesses claimed the deposed president had boarded the plane without his brother. Bakiyev’s son, Maksim, is already away from Kyrgyzstan. Details about Bakiyev’s departure and its planning was also not known.

Earlier today, gunshots were heard in south Kyrgyzstan during a political rally held by the deposed Kyrgyz President. This attack caused no injuries, but Bakiyev took a car to leave the rally after the shots were heard.

Bakiyev has been holding political meetings in towns near Teyit. Thursday's rally was in Osh, the largest city in south Kyrgyzstan, where the former was addressing a crowd of 5,000 people. Bakiyev arrived in a convoy consisting of minivans at Osh, where another rally supporting the country's interim government was being held.

Aziza Abdirasulova, a human rights activist, told The New York Times agency that when Bakiyev started addressing the crowd, supporters of the interim government came running at him. His bodyguards fired in the air and Bakiyev was assisted into a car and driven away from the city. She affirmed that no one was wounded. Eyewitnesses confirmed what Abdirasulova said, adding that the other political meeting was being held about 300 meters by members of the interim government. Two of Bakiyev's brothers were in the convoy with him.

Bakiyev fled from the capital on April 7 after a violent riot where people attacked government building. At least 83 people died in this violence in the Kyrgyz capital. "He killed all those young people. All the people are against him. How can he even turn up here?" commented Alikh Mansurov, an unemployed dweller of Osh. While there is no arrest warrant against Bakiyev, his brother Zhanybek has one against him. The latter was once the head of the state guard service, and accompanied Bakiyev in the convoy.

Roza Otunbaeva, the interim Kyrgyz president
Image: Ilias Beshimov.

Bakiyev has claimed he would resign his post if the interim government assured security to him and his family members. The latter have agreed to make such security guarantees to Bakiyev, but have refused it for him family members. They also said Bakiyev would either have to leave the country or be prosecuted, blaming him for corruption and the violences which occurred earlier this month. On Wednesday, Roza Otunbayeva, interim President of the country, said she would consider a direct discussion with Bakiyev but refused to discuss what would happen to his relatives.

United States President, Barack Obama has expressed his support for the interim government of Kyrgyzstan. Robert Blake, the assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs of the US, met with Otunbayeva on Wednesday. He had come to “express support for the steps the provisional government has taken to restore democracy” and offer assistance from his country. Hillary Clinton has spoken with the interim President through telephone.

A spokesman for Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia said the latter had received a phone call from Bakiyev late on Wednesday. Dmitri Medvedev, President of Russia said to a crowd in Brookings Institution in Washington where he is attending a nuclear summit called by the American President, that according to him Kyrgysztan was "on the verge of civil war now” and it was possible that it would turn into a “second Afghanistan.”

“All the forces in Kyrgyzstan should realize their responsibilities towards the Kyrgyz nation, the Kyrgyz people and the future of the Kyrgyz state,” he commented. He said Russia was aware of “what a civil war means,” saying such a war would attract “terrorists and extremists of all kinds.”

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Sources [edit]

Andrew E. Kramer. "Kyrgyz President Leaves Country" — The New York Times, April 15, 2010
Peter Leonard. "Gunfire at deposed president's rally in Kyrgyzstan" — Associated Press, April 15, 2010

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Calm returns to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:27:11 GMT

Kyrgyzstan

Other stories from Kyrgyzstan

27 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan votes on referendum for new constitution
23 June 2010: German and Swedish foreign ministers agree on Gaza standpoint
14 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Violence continues, death toll rises
12 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Ethnic unrest continues, government asks Russia for help
14 May 2010: Interim Kyrgyz government retakes buildings after violent protests

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Location of Kyrgyzstan

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Kyrgyzstan, see the Kyrgyzstan Portal

Monday, April 12, 2010

Three days after violent protests, which saw the deaths of 81 and injury to some 1600 people, calm has returned to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

Following the protests which led to President Kurmanbek Bakiyev fleeing the capital, a self-styled interim government led by former foreign minister Roza Otunbayeva was established last Thursday. The interim government, Bakiyev, and his supporters, who are believed to be in the south of the country, are described as now being at a "first contacts" stage by OSCE envoy Zhanybek Karibzhanov.

A vital logistics hub to the United States and coalition forces in the war in Afghanistan, the interim government has been described by US officials as being committed to honouring existing security agreements. However, Almazbek Atambayev, the first deputy head of the acting government, is reported to have flown to Moscow in order to secure emergency aid in the wake of the collapse of the Kyrgyz economy.

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Sources [edit]

Matt Siegel. "Economy in tatters, Kyrgyzstan awaits Russian aid" — AFP, April 11, 2010
"Kyrgyzstan pledges to honour security deals, US says" — BBC, April 11, 2010
Zhang Xiang. "Peace returns to Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek, confilcting camps make "first contacts"" — Xinhua, April 11, 2010
"81 dead in Kyrgyz violence" — News 24.com, April 11, 2010

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Zimbabwean cargo plane crashes in Shanghai; three dead

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:36:55 GMT

Saturday, November 28, 2009

China

Sources [edit]

Cara Anna. "Zimbabwe cargo plane crashes at Shanghai airport" — The Associated Press, November 28, 2009
Joost Akkermans. "Cargo Plane Crash at Shanghai Airport Kills Three, Xinhua Says" — Bloomberg L.P., November 28, 2009
"Report: Three dead in cargo plane crash in Shanghai" — CNN, November 28, 2009

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Kyrgyzstan announces decision to close US base

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 17:53:16 GMT

Kyrgyzstan

Other stories from Kyrgyzstan

27 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan votes on referendum for new constitution
23 June 2010: German and Swedish foreign ministers agree on Gaza standpoint
14 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Violence continues, death toll rises
12 June 2010: Kyrgyzstan: Ethnic unrest continues, government asks Russia for help
14 May 2010: Interim Kyrgyz government retakes buildings after violent protests

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Location of Kyrgyzstan

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Kyrgyzstan, see the Kyrgyzstan Portal

Saturday, February 7, 2009

A spokesman for the central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan stated on Friday that its decision to close down a United States military base is "final". The base is an important supply route for NATO and U.S. operations in nearby Afghanistan.

"The decision has been made," said Kyrgyz spokesman Aibek Sultangaziyev. "The U.S. embassy and the [Kyrgyz] foreign ministry are exchanging opinions on this, but there are no discussions on keeping the base."

The announcement contradicts statements from both Kyrgyzstan and the U.S. saying that talks about the base are still in progress.

The President of Kyrgyzstan, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, disclosed plans about shutting down the base on Tuesday while in Moscow, soon after receiving US$2 billion worth of aid from Russia. However, the Kyrgyz government says that the two moves are not related.

U.S. State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid said that there was no official word from the Kyrgyz government upon the status of the base.

The U.S. has meanwhile requested to transport supplies through Russia instead. The neighboring country of Tajikistan has offered to allow the transport of non-military goods to Afghanistan.

Currently, most shipments by NATO and the US come into Afghanistan through neighboring Pakistan, but NATO has become concerned about the safety of that route, as transport convoys have become increasingly under attack from Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

The closing of the base comes at a critical time for the U.S., as the nation is planning a large increase in the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

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Sources [edit]

"Kyrgyz closure of US base 'final'" — BBC News Online, February 6, 2009
"Kyrgyzstan's Decision to Close US Base 'Final'" — VOA News, February 6, 2009

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Passenger plane traveling to Iran crashes in Kyrgyzstan, killing 68

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:13:04 GMT

Sunday, August 24, 2008

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Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan
Image: Brian Dell.

An Itek-Air Boeing 737 flight 6875, operated by Aseman Airlines and traveling to Iran has crashed in Kyrgyzstan only 10 minutes after taking off. It is unclear how many were on board, but reports say there were at least 90 people on the plane with the crash killing 68. At least 22 are reported to have survived, including all crew members.

"According to updated information, 68 passengers were killed, including 24 Kyrgyz, five Iranians, one Turkish national, three Canadians, three Kazakhs and one Chinese," said a spokesman for Igor Chudinov, Kyrgyzstan's prime minister.

Map of Kyrgyzstan
Image: US Central Intelligence Agency.

Reports state that members of the crew reported "technical issues" with the plane shortly after take off from Manas International Airport in Kyrgyzstan. Within 10 minutes the crew reported a severe loss of cabin pressure. When the plane made an emergency landing, it burst into flames. The plane was headed to Tehran, Iran.

The United States military has sent rescue equipment and crews from its base at the airport to assist the government in the incident.

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Sources [edit]

"68 die in Kyrgyzstan plane crash: ministry" — Turkish Press, August 24, 2008
"Boeing 737 Crashes In Kyrgyzstan" — Sky News, August 24, 2008
Leila saralayeva. "71 dead in crash of Iran-bound jet in Kyrgyzstan" — Associated Press, August 24, 2008
"Passenger jet bound for Iran crashes in Kyrgyzstan" — Pioneer Times-Journal, August 24, 2008

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