Akayev: We Do Democracy the Kyrgyz Way

Speaking recently at Harvard University, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev defended Bishkek's political record, saying democratization efforts must correspond to "historical practice" in any given country. As Kyrgyzstan prepares for presidential and parliamentary elections in 2005, Akayev rejected the notion that a "universal formula" exists for democratic development.

"Democracy must "ripen internally within the depths of society itself ... [and] integrate [itself] into [the] conscience of [a] people. Only in this case will it take firm root in the public conscience," Akayev said at a September 29 seminar, titled "Prospects for Kyrgyzstan's Model for Reform and Engagement with the West."

Concern about the democratization process in Central Asia has mounted in recent years, as Kyrgyzstan, along with other regional states, has moved in an authoritarian direction. [For additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive]. The country's last presidential and parliamentary elections in 2000 were widely condemned as rigged. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. While Akayev's administration has expressed a commitment to holding legitimate elections next year, local observers remain skeptical about the chances for a free-and-fair vote. The government's hold on television, the main source of information for Kyrgyzstanis, is a chief source of concern. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

The chief question at present is whether or not Akayev will mount a reelection bid. Constitutionally, Akayev is barred from running again. However, some analysts believe the constitution may be reinterpreted to enable Akayev to become a candidate.

Echoing past statements, Akayev at Harvard reaffirmed his commitment to a democratic transfer of power in 2005, and refused to name his preference for a successor. "I am for the people choosing the next president. Therefore, I have not aimed to determine a successor," he told the seminar at The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies. "Our people are educated and wise and I am convinced that [they] will choose a worthy next president."

Akayev was quick to counter foreign criticism of the political course taken by Kyrgyzstan since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. Western countries that expected a full-fledged democracy to take root quickly have forgotten their own experiences, Akayev maintained. "[S]ome people, through . . . [an] exaggeration of disparate facts continue attaching labels of "non-free" or "not completely free" . . . to the Kyrgyz Republic. This is far from being just [a] harmless political exercise."

Akayev went on to touch on regional security issues. Kyrgyzstan is the only country in Central Asia to host both American and Russian military bases. [For additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive]. In the immediate aftermath of the September 11 terrorist tragedy, Kyrgyzstan forged a close strategic relationship with the United States, giving the US-led anti-terrorism coalition access to an air base at Manas. Of late, however, Bishkek has revived its relations with Russia, underscored by the formal opening in late 2003 of a base in Kant, outside the capital Bishkek. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Akayev stressed that he intends to pursue a foreign policy that maintains a balance between Russia and the United States in what he characterized as the common struggle against Islamic radicalism. Without Russia's support, Akayev told the Harvard audience; "we would not have been able to achieve independence. ... Russia was given to us by God and history. ... The expression has become a national slogan." The United States, for its part, was described by the president as a "lighthouse" that provided inspiration in the early days of Kyrgyzstan's independence.

In general, Akayev sought to focus his comments on the country's economic performance. The president hailed Kyrgyzstan's 9 percent increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first half of 2004 and relatively low rate of inflation at 3.5 percent as signs that "our economy has reached [a] sustainable regime of development."

"The benchmarks set for implementation at the initial stage in our model of development can be considered as completed," Akayev added. "The positive changes became irreversible. I am stating this with confidence."

Bishkek has courted foreign investors, primarily to help develop the mining, hydropower, agricultural processing and tourism sectors. Such efforts, however, have not met expectations, and Akayev indicated that his administration will now place greater emphasis on internal investment. "[T]he ... orientation [toward] foreign models [of economic development] is internally defective, as is the import of reforms from the outside, even in the most delicate, velvet packaging," said Akayev.

"[W]e decided that we would not attempt miracles and would develop our model of development that takes into account our national specifics." Only China, one of Kyrgyzstan's largest trading partners, continues to provide an interesting example for further study, he continued– a remark no doubt intended as a nod to Beijing's ongoing investment interests in the country.