Otunbayeva, who was part of the coup a couple of months ago, was formally sworn in as president today. She’s the first female leader in the entire region.
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It was a carefully planned operation conducted by the enemies of the interim government. The information available to our special services confirms that all of these measures were funded by the Bakiyev family, particularly his youngest son, Maksim Bakiyev.
Kyrgyzstan interim first deputy head Alzambek Atambayev • Claiming that the deadly riots were caused by the son of ousted leader, Kurmanbek S. Bakiyev. The arrest of Maksim Bakiyev in Britain today supports this theory. Atambayev also said that the interim leadership has had trouble handling the crisis, partly due to the fact that some police in the southern part of the country were still loyal to the old government. source
» Editor’s note: As longtime readers know, we go to great lengths to avoid AP stories, but we’re breaking the picket line for this one. Apologies in advance.
Here’s the problem with coups. If you coup a country, the people of that country have to deal with guys with shovels who can take advantage of the anarchy.
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The situation is very tense. Taking the president by force is the last option for this government but they do not want Bakiyev or his closest sons and brothers to walk away from this.
Al Jazeera reporter Robin Forestier-Walker • Discussing the fate of ousted Kyrgyzstan president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who has offered to conditionally resign. His conditions? Well: “First of all, they should guarantee that in Kyrgyzstan there are no more people walking around with weapons, and no seizures or redistribution of property … Also, I need to know that my own security and the security of members of my family and those close to me will be assured.” So, if you can offer all of this stuff to the president, he’ll quit. source
Because, hey, that seems reasonable. If you just took over a former Soviet Bloc country in a coup, would you let the old guy get away? That’s what interim leader Roza Otunbayeva is considering. She may charge ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev in the deaths of 81 people by soldiers loyal to him. She makes it clear, however, that her country does not want to do it by force. But others, however, may not be so gracious. “There are people who want revenge,” she says. “It’s a very sensitive situation. You must understand that we won’t be able guarantee his security ourselves.” source