Forgotten World (94): Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is a multi-ethnic, but mainly Muslim, state of 5M comprising Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Russians, Ukrainians and Germans, and a small number of Uighur, Dungan – Chinese Muslims – and Koreans. It became independent with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In 2005 a popular revolt, sparked by allegations of government interference in parliamentary elections and fuelled by poverty and corruption, swept from power the former president, Askar Akayev, who had ruled since independence.
Kyrgyzstan has found itself right in the middle of the so-called ‘war on terror’. Following the 11 September attacks on the USA, Kyrgyzstan agreed to allow US forces to use Bishkek’s Manas airport as a base. Then, in September 2003, agreement was reached with Moscow allowing Russian rapid reaction forces to deploy at the Kant airbase. The Russians are stationed just 30 km (19 miles) from their US counterparts.