Protesters in front of U.S. Embassy in Bishkek
I remember the day when I was watching news programme on one of the local TV channels and heard that a Kyrgyz citizen Alexander Ivanov who worked as a local driver was killed by U.S. soldier Zachary Hatfield. It reminded me of another case when a young girl was hit by another U.S. soldier and died as result of the accident.
Today a group of protesters gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek. Representatives of different political parties such as Communist and Liberal-progressive party made up the majority of the protesters. They organized a movement “For withdrawal the U.S. troops out of Kyrgyzstan” and the leader of this movement Alexander Tiperov said that they would organize another rally in front of the Parliament and in Manas airport soon. He also said that their actions are supported by some well-known political leaders.
What protesters demand is giving out the U.S. soldier Zachary Hatfield to Kyrgyz law-enforcement bodies. They also demand a substantial compensation to Ivanov’s family. The protesters are not satisfied with current military negotiation between Kyrgyzstan and the U.S. and demand its reconsideration. The U.S. Congress has to re-examine all accidents caused by U.S. soldiers and carry out an ecological test of the area near the Air Force base in Bishkek.
The protesters are also going to meet with the U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Michael Gates who is planning to come with an official visit to Kyrgyzstan early in June.
on June 3rd, 2007 at 2:00 pm
More on the anti-airbase rally here. Any idea when the following protests are scheduled for?
on June 3rd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Nice to see post on anti-base demonstration in Bishkek. Soon I will make my own for russian and kyrgyz neweurasia :).
on June 4th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
The presence of Americans were never much of a problem until their arrogance reached some frustrating level. They could play more safely by proper relations towards the hosts and better terms of agreement in order to keep this geopolitically strategical base. Let’s see what Michael Gates will offer to keep their positions firm in Central Asia?
Our government needs to review the case carefully as well. Having American base means being allies with US, and it also means that there will be a decision making of entering the war or not everytime US gets into the war in the region. Under Bush’s presidency, it is very likely. Airbase in Incirlik (Turkey) was another US base from where planes took off for operations in Iraq. And it put Turkey on the verge of entering the war alongside US against another Muslim country, Iraq.
I think Iran’s threat to attack the place where the base is located is very real. Ganci will be on the frontline if there is a war with Iran. This seems to be more solid reason to reconsider it. Otherwise, I didn’t find protesters demands to be reasonable for requesting a withdrawal. These things US can compensate easily.