written by Daniyar Karimov
edited by Ryan Weber
Every year, thousands of organizations around the world hold their own year-end contests. Usually, as an exercise of vanity, they endeavor to name the "best" people in their respective field. Kyrgyzstan is no exception. We lavish diplomas, ranks, and honorable titles on politicians, public figures, and cultural artists.
News Agency 24.kg wanted to join in, but no to be banal, decided to hold a contest by contradiction: to find out who deserves the title as among the worst people of the last year.
Events of the last 12 months demonstrated that a lot of people, out of the former and current political limelight, deserve to be nominated for the (dis)honorable title of “Antihero.” In order to make the list manageable, we decided to limit ourselves to only the most exceptional examples.
In the category of [Kyrgyz] Anti-Hero of 2010, the Nominees are:
Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
Some of the new politicians in power and their close associates will refer to Kyrgyzstan's most recent ex-President, like his predecessor, with some nostalgic fondness for a long time. However, the ordinary people of Kyrgyzstan have accumulated hard feelings toward the second President of the independent Kyrgyz Republic for the wide-spread corruption, poverty and despair that increased during his tenure..
However, Kurbanbek Bakiyev is first on our list of Anti-hero nominees not only for his direct role in these hardships - in fact, for most of 2010 he was not a part of the Kyrgyz social or political life. Instead, it was the efforts of the interim government, who demonized Bakiev with such zeal, that helped catapult him to the top of the rankings. Even in abstentia, we were told over and over that all the hardships Kyrgyzstan suffered in 2010 were his fault. Ultimately, Bakiev reaped the same fate as that which he doled out to Askar Akayev - abused, disgraced, and banished from his native country. [of course, he is still extremely wealthy].
Janysh Bakiyev
In a fair fight for the Anti-hero title, and perhaps even able to beat his elder brother Kurmanbek, Janysh is perceived by government operators as a mixture of Ezhov and Beriya. History will tell if he lived up to this ominous association, although it is possible that later generations will see Janysh better - or worse - depending on how political winds blow in the coming years. History, afterall, is re-written by the politicians that survive. The current governing elite certainly takes a negative view of the ex-President's brother. As News Agency 24.kg has pointed out, Janysh is charged not only with persecuting former opposition politicians, but also with orchestrating high-profile political murders, instigating inter-ethnic violence, and other acts of terrorism in the southern provinces.
Maxim Bakiyev
The son of the former President managed to make it into the list of candidates not because of his family connections, but on the merits of his own actions. Today his is often mentioned along with his uncle [Janysh] regarding actions against opponents of the Bakiev regime, and by himself with regard to the business, banking, and international investment spheres. Maxim is charged with putting pressure on local business men and raiding Kyrgyz businesses. But mostly, he cannot be forgiven for his complete seizure and dominance of the country's economy. Today, Maxim Bakiev is a happy resident of the United Kingdom, even though he is still suspected of financing "counter-revolutionary" activities within the Kyrgyz Republic.
Daniyar Usenov.
During the previous government, Usinov was never popular with the people, but in 2010 he broke new ground and earned a wave of sincere indigation - even hatred - from his fellow citizens. The ex-Prime Minister distinguished himself by passing a tariff increase in electricity and heating costs, which became one of the main catalysts for the "April Revolution" as it drove many Kyrgyz people below the poverty line. After the change of power, he took a long vacation from politics to visit France, but it seems he he will be long-remembered for his tariff hike.
Roza Otunbayeva
Everything is not as easy as it first seems, a lesson being learned by Kyrgyzstan's third - interim - President. While Western countries laud her [for her strong pro-democracy credentials and] as the first female president in Central Asia, domestically she is more often the target of irritation. All the blame for mistakes, gaffs and errors of the [weak] interim government are placed squarely on her shoulders.
Alas, so far her [transitional] government cannot be called a success. They have accomplished no reforms except the Constitutional reform, which can hardly be called a substantial achievement. In the eyes of history, Roza Otunbayeva will be remembered as the President during the era of ethnic conflict in the South, murder in the Bishkek suburbs, and the rise of ultra-nationalist sentiment. For this [unfortunate] legacy, she can thank not only her opponents, but also her own allies for their lack of political will.
Almazbek Atambayev
The Social Democrat (SDPK) party leader is a controversial figure. He has many pluses, but also many drawbacks, which often over-ride his merits. His activity in the interim government - where he oversaw security officials - has been harshly criticized. During the time in which he was in charge, Kyrgyz security forces allowed [or even contributed to] massacres and mass disorder - the quality of law enforcement leadership that leaves much to be desired. But Atambaev can lay claim to the Anti-Hero title without even mentioning his "achievements" in the interim government. His choleric nature, vanity, populism, and lack of restraint in his speeches are adequate. Before being elected Prime Minister, he criticized top political authorities of neighboring Kazakhstan. But the most unpleasant surprise from the head of the current government has been his lapse in conscience. He [gladly] joined a coalition alongside former opponents from the ousted Bakiev regime, whom he had recently accused of 'revanchism.' But this is politics!
Omurbek Tekebayev
The leader of Ata-Meken party could not escape our list of nominees for 2010 Anti-Hero of the year. Partly this is because he was the main force behind the Constitutional reforms and rushed referendum, for which he received criticism from NGO experts. Tekebayev was also attacked [by ethnic Kyrgyz citizens] for his "liberal" attitude toward ethnic minorities and some supporters of the fallen Bakiev administration. More often, his "Anti-Hero" accolades were associated with nefarious rumors that portrayed him as far from wholesome. Ultimately, what role Tekebayev played in the development of the new Kyrgyz Republic is yet to be determined.
Azimbek Beknazarov
In 2010, many will remember Beknazarov as person with indefatigable energy, as shown during his relentless campaign for property redistribution - Oops, we mean "nationalization." He greatly alarmed the business community, and almost brought the ire of neighboring Kazakhstan. The eager politician began pursuing enemies of the April "revolution" with the same energy, but failed to reach the main "contras." Rather than catching the "criminals" of the old regime, he mostly arrested their family members and others "unlucky" enough to be near by when he was on the war path. Nevertheless, Beknazarov has a positive trait which can cover all his short-fallings in the eyes of his countrymen. This is the talent to tell the truth when others keep silent, choosing instead to look away in shame. He is the person who can and likes to work on the very limit of the law, but sometimes crosses the line.
Topchubek Turgunaliyev
A veteran statesman experienced with political infighting is no less worthy to be on the list of "Anti-Hero" than the above candidates. In 2010, he scared most Kyrgyz with his revolutionary ideas about public conscience, and the radical means by which he was prepared to enforce it. Turgunaliyev called for the enforcement of the Kyrgyz language and the prominence of the associated 'titular nation' [majority ethnic group]. His background in economic affairs - in which he was a fierce opponent of both the new and old regimes - never gave him much traction. But by transforming his zeal into ethno-politics, he took a great step forward, and may not stop until he divides the Kyrgyz people forever.
Kamchybek Tashiyev
The leader of the [newly-formed] Ata-Jurt party managed to get into the middle of several high-profile scandals in 2010. The most outstanding of them was the incident with special services, in which he accused the future deputy of the State National Security Committee (GKNB) of launching an assassination attempt against Tashiyev himself. Since falling from power as part of the Bakiev administration, Tashiev has tried to label himself an 'outsider' or even 'rebel' in order to remain relevant in the new government. He has largely been successful, which is fortunate for him because other [more derogatory] labels like nationalist, tribalist, or revanchist would be equally accurate.
Melisbek Myrzakhmatov
You might think that just being the Mayor of Osh city wouldn't make someone as important a national figure as our other candidates. But no! In 2010, the city administrator of Kyrgyzstan's southern capital became famous far beyond his own domain. Separatist sentiment and bloody conflicts within his jurisdiction helped ensure him of infamy. The Osh Mayor believed so much in his own power and the security of his position that he ignored orders from authorities in Bishkek. He frustrated the OSCE, and in fact made Bishkek change its arrangements to bring international police advisors to stabilize violence in Osh.
Urmat Baryktabasov
For the second time, Baryktabasov proved himself to be a political "one-day nuisance." Still, he may earn the "Anti-Hero" title for his failed attempt to raid the capital and take power by coup. In his obsession with taking the top position in Kyrgyzstan, which has haunted Baryktabasov since May 2005, he dreams of [songs and] poems composed in his honor. Alas, this makes him more of a "practiced counter-revolutionary" than a true "Anti-Hero." However, he can share that title with Usen Sydykov and Iskhak Masaliyev, both of whom were tied to his repeated coup attempts.
[Opposition Protests]
Not one person, of course, but nonetheless a very influential and impressive power in Kyrgyzstan during 2010. Mid- and low-level officials are in this group, as are political and civil activists, public figures, and those compassionate citizens eager to join a cause. This mixed group has demonstrated a collective mind, but unfortunately it tends toward destructive, rather than creative, potential. This fact is lost on most participants, who lose all sense of identity and personal responsibility once they join the mob. Without such a phenomenon, Kyrgyzstan would never be faced with looting, inter-ethnic conflicts, and other violent disorders.
original text at http://eng.24.kg/politic/2010/12/27/15566.html
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