Revolution in an Unpronounceable Land

Jesse Walker | March 24, 2005

Yet another regime in the formerly Soviet sphere has fallen to a popular revolt. This time it's in Kyrgyzstan -- and this time the revolution's a little rowdier:

The police appeared disorganized and unwilling to take action as the protesters invaded [the presidential compound]. Dozens of mostly young opposition supporters rampaged inside, some smashing furniture and looting supplies, ignoring protest organizers urging them to stop. Broken glass littered the floors and a drugstore in the building was ransacked.

"It's the victory of the people. But now we don't know how to stop these young guys," said Noman Akabayev, who ran unsuccessfully in the parliamentary elections.

The Village Voice's Ward Harkavy has a roundup of stories here, including the inevitable comparisons between ousted autocrat Askar Akayev and Voice favorite George W. Bush. And here's an intriguing report on the war in Kyrgyz cyberspace.