Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Otunbayeva sworn in as Kyrgyz interim president
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (0)
Slideshow
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
General Petraeus in Afghanistan warns of tough mission
| Video
03 Jul 2010
Paris Hilton questioned by police after Cup match
02 Jul 2010
Analysis: Legal tussles get messier for Gulf rig owners
29 Jun 2010
Fuel tanker explosion kills over 230 in Congo
| Video
03 Jul 2010
Watch out: yuan may fall as volatility picks up
02 Jul 2010
Tests start on "super skimmer" for Gulf oil spill
| Video
03 Jul 2010
Cavaliers finally get their meeting with James
03 Jul 2010
Germany oust Argentina, Spain beat Paraguay
| Video
03 Jul 2010
Special Report: Should BP nuke its leaking well?
02 Jul 2010
France to look at possible U.S. sub link to sinking
02 Jul 2010
Germany oust Argentina, Spain beat Paraguay
| Video
03 Jul 2010
Special Report: Should BP nuke its leaking well?
02 Jul 2010
Psychic Octopus picks Germany to beat Argentina
29 Jun 2010
Germany crush Argentina to reach last four
03 Jul 2010
Poland's Kaczynski stirs pride and anxiety before poll
30 Jun 2010
Fuel tanker explosion kills over 230 in Congo
| Video
03 Jul 2010
Alligator takes late-night stroll through town
02 Jul 2010
Absent Russia will win World Cup, 8 percent of nation say
01 Jul 2010
Obama commits nearly $2 billion to solar companies
03 Jul 2010
BP could get backing from Mideast firms: report
3:08am EDT
Otunbayeva sworn in as Kyrgyz interim president
Digg This
Tweet This
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Facebook
Factbox
Key facts about Kyrgyz interim leader Otunbayeva
Sat, Jul 3 2010
Related Topics
World »
Kyrgyzstan »
1 / 3
Kyrgyzstan's interim leader Roza Otunbayeva listens to the state anthem during her presidential swearing-in ceremony in the capital Bishkek July 3, 2010.
Credit: Reuters/Vladimir Pirogov
By Olga Dzyubenko
BISHKEK |
Sat Jul 3, 2010 9:10am EDT
BISHKEK (Reuters) - Roza Otunbayeva was sworn in as Kyrgyzstan's interim president on Saturday after guiding it through three months of revolt, ethnic violence and a referendum intended to build Central Asia's first parliamentary democracy.
A former foreign minister, Otunbayeva, 59, came to power on April 7 during a popular revolt that overthrew the government of the small but strategically-placed central Asian state, which borders China and houses both U.S. and Russian military bases.
She was sworn in to act as president until the end of 2011 under the terms of a new constitution that voters backed in a referendum last week, creating a parliamentary system in a region otherwise dominated by authoritarian presidents.
The referendum was held despite violence between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the south of the country that saw villages burned, hundreds of people killed and hundreds of thousands driven from their homes.
"We are living though one of the most dramatic periods in our history," said Otunbayeva at the ceremony held in a concert hall in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital.
She pledged to support a liberal economy and guarantee private property rights.
FIRST WOMAN
The first woman to lead a Central Asian state, Otunbayeva, has faced stern challenges since taking power in the wake of a revolt that toppled President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who himself came to power in an uprising that ousted Askar Akayev in 2005.
Nearly 300 people were killed, and probably hundreds more, in several days of violence in southern regions of the country that began on June 10, triggered by attacks by unidentified individuals in balaclavas in the south's biggest city Osh.
The United Nations estimated that 400,000 people fled. About a quarter crossed into Uzbekistan, which shares a border with Kyrgyzstan. Most of the refugees have since returned.
Some Kyrgyz citizens said they appreciate her success so far at limiting the spread of violence.
"Otunbayeva is taking on a heavy load to bear. Let her rule," said Abbas, 48, a taxi driver. "She is a mother, she is taking on a big responsibility for people. In a hard time she has managed to prevent war from raging on."
Yet others worry that power brokers who have dominated the country in the past will remain in control behind the scenes.
Liliya, an accountant said: "I'm not sure that it will be better. It's the same people that were with Akayev and Bakiyev."
The violence is alarming for both the United States and Russia, which have competed for influence in Kyrgyzstan. The U.S. base is one of the main logistical hubs for the war in Afghanistan, while Russia wants American influence curbed in its ex-Soviet hinterland.
Under the new system adopted in the referendum, parliamentary elections are planned for October 10 of this year. The power of the presidency will be reduced, giving parliament and the cabinet more authority.
Until now, the five states of former Soviet Central Asia have all been run by presidents with vast powers, many of whom are criticized by human rights watchdogs for stifling dissent.
(Reporting by Olga Dzyubenko; Writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; editing by Peter Graff)
World
Kyrgyzstan
Add a Comment
*We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Reader Feedback
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
FindLaw
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Sunday, 4 July 2010 New Afghan war commander set to formally take reins
Russian spy arrests came after threats to decade-long probe
Petraeus: 'We are in this to win' in Afghanistan
Afghan war at critical stage, says Petraeus
|
Finland takes first place at wife-carrying championship
Fuel tanker explosion kills over 230 in Congo
|
Petraeus formally assumes command in Afghanistan
Poland holds vote after president's air-crash death
Betancourt returns to Colombia 2 yrs after release
Gen. Petraeus takes command of US, NATO forces
Rail chaos in Paris after lightning cuts power
US plans grant to preserve Auschwitz death camp
Palestinian who planned Munich attack dies in Syria
|
Demonstrators in Spain protest new abortion law
Palestinian who planned Munich attack dies in Syria
DR.Congo tanker fire kills 200: Red Cross
Poles begin voting in tight presidential run-off
|
Iran pushes U.S. on missing scientist
Iran pushes U.S. on missing scientist
|
Supertanker skims oil as spill now worst accident on record
U.S. VP Biden visits Iraq amid election deadlock
Japan PM seeks vote win to avoid policy deadlock
|
Kyrgyzstan gets Central Asia's first woman president
Petraeus to formally assume command in Afghanistan
Venezuela says suspect plotted election violence
|
U.N. peacekeeper wounded in Lebanon clash
Otunbayeva sworn in as Kyrgyz interim president
|
Ahmadinejad calls sanctions against Iran pathetic
Mexican states to vote under shadow of drug war
|
U.N. peacekeeper wounded in Lebanon clash
|
China sentences another Tibetan environmentalist
Pakistan urchins swap streets for art
Philippine drive for massacre witness protection
Lockerbie bomber 'could live 10 yrs' with cancer
Howard praises India, pushes ICC presidency bid
Biden 'extremely optimistic' about Iraq's democracy
Fear in China's Urumqi city on riot anniversary
Global Weather-Celsius
Australia mining tax deal builds new PM's brand
New Afghan war commander appeals for unity
Australian PM's immigration vows
U.S., Poland sign missile shield pact on Clinton trip
Child suicide prompts India punishment debate
Calif. state workers brace for minimum wage
A walk on the wild side
Cadel Evans loses team-mate at Tour de France
Hollywood agent Ed Limato dies
Strike ends at Japanese electronics plant in China: report
Secrets of Mummies unraveled in California
Settlers worry about impact of Palestinian boycott
Explosion of joy in Madrid as Spain makes semis
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Hollywood agent Ed Limato dies
Indonesia proof that democracy, Islam can co-exist: minister
Tributes pour in for French film and theatre legend
Gays, lesbians show pride in European capitals
Million-strong Gay Pride party in London
New "Twilight" film eclipses box office rivals
New Twilight film eclipses box office rivals
|
Hollywood agent Ed Limato dies
|
PKK bombs Iraq-Turkey pipeline
Iran unveils human-like robot: report
Yemeni Shi'ites fire on troops, straining truce
|
Lebanon cleric, listed as 'terrorist' in US, dead
Israel grants wider powers to Gaza flotilla inquiry
|
Suicide bomber in government HQ in west Iraq kills 3
South African unions call off strike at Eskom
|
Israel grants wider powers to Gaza flotilla inquiry
Suicide bomber in government HQ in west Iraq kills 3
|
Four die in Iraq suicide bomb attack: ministry
Senior Lebanese Shi'ite cleric Fadlallah dies
|
US 'ready to help' Azerbaijan, Armenia on peace deal
Brazil's Rousseff and Serra tied in presidential race
|
Iran could halt uranium enrichment if given fuel: MP
ECB chief rules out risk of new recession
Foreign and Afghan forces kill 63 insurgents: interior ministry
|
Deutsche Bahn plans to invest record $51 billlion
Petraeus: 'We are in this to win' in Afghanistan
PKK bombs Iraq-Turkey pipeline
|
Villa, Klose star as Europe tighten World Cup grip
Afghan gov't: 63 drug smugglers, terrorists killed
West China city braces for deadly riot anniversary
|
Sumo wrestler and stable master fired in Japan
China mudslide toll at 42, with 57 missing: report
Spotlight on bank tests as ECB readies rate meeting
China's population to near 1.4 billion by 2015
India preens over new airport terminal
S.Korean leader orders illegal surveillance probe
Uighurs in Japan call for freedom in China
Biden marks Independence Day with troops in Iraq
Clinton makes fence-mending trip to Azerbaijan
New Afghan war commander formally takes reins
Azerbaijan seeks US help over regional conflict
Iran says it has 'evidence' scientist abducted by CIA
NY contest blends US love of hot dogs, competition
Police: NY man blows off arm with party fireworks
Taiwan's anti-China groups to rally against trade pact
Spain to get church for same-sex marriages: report
Last gasp for beer fest? Munich mulls smoking ban
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights