Certain opposition figures once again gathered people on Ploshchad Ala-Too in Bishkek on Saturday for the promised protest (see also Yulia’s report). As with the previous protest on April 29, turn out was far lower than the organisers had advertised – my guesstimate would be 3 – 5 thousand, Vechernii Bishkek reckons on about 6 thousand – not that this has stopped some sources from quoting vastly inflated figures in some cases, no doubt supported with some selective and focused camera work. Edil Baisalov, meanwhile, isn’t so concerned with numbers - which Eurasianet viewed as a sign of a “failed protest” - arguing that the important thing was that the protest actually happened.

The protest was inevitably given a fair amount of media coverage in the preceding days. Fuel to the rumour mill was created by the decision to hold a military parade on the main square on the same day – it was cancelled on Friday evening after 3 days of rehearsals, inevitably creating speculation about political brinksmanship. Of particular note was a question and answer phone-in session in Friday’s Vechernii Bishkek with “For Reform” leaders Kubatbek Baibolov and Omurbek Tekebaev. People called for a variety of reasons, ranging from expressions of support for the meeting to more personal requests demanding to know why their letters had not been answered. Many of their replies seemed disingenuous, not least in answer to a question about where the money comes from to hold these protests:

(O. Tekebaev) [The money] comes from the participants themselves. A huge amount of resources are not necessary to hold such an action. People can simply bring a sandwich and bottle of water with them.

As it turned out, there was no need to bring water, as it was distributed free (above). Even if one gives the organisers the benefit of the doubt and views this as a necessary step given the hot weather, it does not answer the question. To organise so many placards and banners, portaloos, and matching hats and scarves for the various groups participating is no small expense.

In contrast to the previous protest, slogans seemed more personally aimed at Bakiev and the Tandem, with placards showing the words “sladkaya parochka” (“sweet little pair”) crossed through and word plays on Bakiev’s name and that of his son to express discontent over Maksim Bakiev’s alleged business dealings – seen by many as a continuation of Akaev’s family-centred operations.

The issue of public television also featured more prominently, with a campaign for a “truly” public television service having been launched a few days earlier. Employees of TV and radio station Pyramida were also present with banners demanding freedom of speech and the return of control of the station to employees.

One of the odder articles in the print media that appeared in the week leading up to the protest appeared in Res Publica under the title “The Kyrgyz Meeting “For Reforms” and the Gay March in Moscow”. The theme of the article was the apparent similarities between the two events, amongst which the author listed the fact that both groups (i.e. the LGBT community in Moscow and the “For Reform” movement in Bishkek):

1) are intending to stage a protest action on May 27, 2006; 2) promise a turn out of 20 thousand supported; 3) demand acknowledgement of their priority position in the political and social position of their republics; are ready […] to demonstrate a variety of positions … only politically, of course; 4) (largely) receive “helpful advice” and corresponding material support from foreign “donors” (albeit that each has their own possibilities); 5) one group is heading for the Duma, the other wants full power in the Jogorku Kenesh (read: Duma of the Kyrgyz Republic); 6) they’re not satisfied with today’s authorities; 7) are supported by masses that they bring in from the provinces.

… bearing in mind all these similarities, I would seriously consider the question of whether or not we really need to go out on to the capital’s square on May 27, for who do they think we are, are they mixing us up with someone else?

An ambiguous conclusion: anti-gay, or making an entirely valid point about how people are being manipulated for the unrealistic political ends of a small group? I’m inclined towards the latter overall, but Russian-speaking readers amongst you are free to draw your own conclusions.

Gazeta.kg has more photos of the protest.