This is a translated excerpt of Misulzhan’s post from the Russian-language NewEurasia

So, the “hamburger” outlet with a constant huge line of people is removed. People used to line up there from 9 a.m. till 11.00 p.m. everyday. But now when it is removed, people have to seek for another place where they can get as tasty fast food as it used to be on the crossing of Sovietskaya and Kievskaya streets. This happened because of Shanghai Cooperation Organization created on the basis of “Shanghai Five”, which reminds lately more of a Warsaw Treaty Organization established during Cold war, the aim of which was to neutralize NATO and provide security to its member states.

SCO, like Warsaw Treaty Organization, is created to insure regional security. It is also directed to combat such threats as international terrorism, regional extremism, illegal drug traffic, and illegal migration. SCO is also alleged to secure country’s integrity and sovereignty. The summit of such a ‘trustworthy’ organization is going to be held this august in Bishkek. That is why a number of cafes, sales outlets and etc. which local authorities believe do not correspond to the city’s expected image and beauty are being removed.

“Leaders of the nation” believe that the most important purpose of the year is “a successful completion of Bishkek (2007 year) SCO summit, which will strengthen positive image of Kyrgyzstan on international arena”. I wonder what makes “international arena”; China and Russia? During April uprising, Kurmanbek Bakiev declared something like “let me first hold a proper summit, and then I am ready to do what you want, even a referendum”.

I just feel sorry for those entrepreneurs who become victims of SCO summit in Bishkek, which is simply not more that anti- western and anti-american union. Some more sales outlets will disappear from the city’s map by the mid-July, the summit will be over, and probably the question of American military base dislocation will be raised again. Why not Russian base in Kant?..