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Controversial New State Official in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan may be on the brink of a state crisis. A decree by President Kurmanbek Bakiev appointing Daniyar Usenov acting first deputy prime minister was published yesterday. Usenov is a determined opponent of Prime Minister Felix Kulov and his return to the cabinet is a blow to the president's pride and a danger to the alliance between Bakiev and Kuov. When Bakiev introduced his list of ministerial candidates in the parliament two weeks ago, it was understood that Kulov had agreed to many of them in exchange for a guarantee that Usenov was not to receive an appointment. Usenov, who became rich in the 1990s with a near-monopoly on ethyl alcohol in Kyrgyzstan and southern Kazakhstan under the patronage of former prime minister Apas Dzhumagulov, was deputy prime minister for the economy in the post-revolutionary transitional cabinet. He headed the commission that investigated the business activities of the relatives of deposed president Askar Akaev and is closely associated with various scandals concerning the redistribution of property, even in the local press. In his time in the government, Usenov developed bad relations with most of the country's other political figures as well. He was alienated from the still-influential political elite of the former regime even before the revolution, and did not form ties with Kulov and his team, preferring to maintain special closeness exclusively with Bakiev.
Bakiev's decision to appoint Usenov acting first deputy was unexpected for Kulov. It clearly represents a violation of an agreement made between them before the presidential election that Kulov would be responsible for economic policy personally. Observers see Bakiev's jealousy over Kulov's increasing popularity (against his falling ratings) and his desire to maintain closer control over the countries finances behind the decision. If the parliament supports Bakiev's appointment, Kulov may resign and found a strong opposition party. A movement, called simply Kyrgyzstan, has already been founded by politicians who were active in the Tulip Revolution who have since been alienated form Bakiev, including former prosecutor general Azimbek Beknazar and former foreign minister Roza Otunbaeva. That organization has not yet proclaimed any oppositional aims, but it has promised to take an active role in politics if the authorities break their election promises. Beknazarov has already expressed his willingness to work with Kulov. Kulov's resignation, therefore, could catalyze an opposition movement.
by
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Oct. 12, 2005
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