Country profile: Kyrgyzstan

A country of striking beauty and towering peaks, Kyrgyzstan became independent with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

While Kyrgyzstan does possess oil and gas resources, it imports the vast bulk of what it needs. The economic situation is dire, particularly in the south where unemployment is very high and poverty rife, and the country's politics have turned volatile in recent years.

Overview

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In 2005 a popular revolt, sparked by allegations of government interference in parliamentary elections and fuelled by poverty and corruption, swept the former president, Askar Akayev, from power. He had led the country since independence.

AT-A-GLANCE Politics: Popular uprising - Tulip Revolution - in 2005 toppled Askar Akayev, leader since independence from Soviet Union in 1991; term of Kurmanbek Bakiyev has been marked by squabbling and instability Economics: Kyrgyzstan is one of the poorest countries of the former Soviet Union International: Kyrgyzstan hosts a Russian and a US military airbase Timeline

Kyrgyzstan is a multi-ethnic state comprising Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Russians, Ukrainians and Germans, and a small number of Uighur, Dungan - Chinese Muslims - and Koreans.

There is tension between the Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities in border areas over access to land and housing. Relations between the two countries were strained following the bloodshed in Uzbekistan's Andijan region in 2005 when hundreds fled across the border to seek refuge in Kyrgyzstan.

In the early 1990s, Kyrgyzstan's democratic credentials were regarded as relatively strong. This reputation was subsequently lost as corruption and nepotism took hold during President Akayev's years in office. Parliamentary and presidential elections were flawed, opposition figures faced harassment and imprisonment while opposition newspapers were closed.

Following the 11 September attacks on the US, Kyrgyzstan agreed to allow US forces to use Bishkek's Manas airport as a base.

In September 2003 agreement was reached with Moscow allowing Russian rapid reaction forces to deploy at the Kant airbase in the campaign against terrorism. The Russians are stationed just 30 km (19 miles) from their US counterparts.

Facts

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• Full name: Kyrgyz Republic
• Population: 5.3 million (UN, 2007)
• Capital: Bishkek
• Area: 199,900 sq km (77,182 sq miles)
• Major languages: Kyrgyz, Russian
• Major religions: Islam, Christianity
• Life expectancy: 62 years (men), 70 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 som = 100 tyiyns
• Main exports: Fruit, vegetables, gold, tobacco
• GNI per capita: US $440 (World Bank, 2006)
• Internet domain: .kg
• International dialling code: +996

Leaders

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President: Kurmanbek Bakiyev

Kurmanbek Bakiyev won a landslide presidential election victory in July 2005, promising to root out corruption and nepotism and fight poverty. Foreign observers said the poll showed clear progress in democratic standards.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev: Protests led to his predecessor's downfall

He had been acting president since the previous March when alleged government interference in parliamentary elections sparked a wave of protests which culminated in the resignation of the then president, Askar Akayev. Mr Akayev fled to Russia and Kurmanbek Bakiyev became acting leader.

Rumbling unrest has posed a challenge to his authority. Several MPs have been shot since he came to power, force has been used to put down deadly prison riots and there are allegations that the influence of organised crime is increasing.

He has had a tempestuous relationship with parliament, having accused MPs of obstructing key legislation and contributing to instability. MPs accused him of backtracking on promises to redistribute some of his powers to parliament.

Tensions came to a head in November 2006. After days of mass protests in the capital, the president signed a new draft constitution which curtailed his powers and gave more authority to parliament.

A few weeks later, the government resigned and the president pushed through revisions to the November constitution, reinstating some of his powers.

In March 2007 the opposition stepped up pressure on the president to resign, threatening mass protests. Mr Bakiyev responded by agreeing to appoint a moderate opposition MP as prime minister.

In October, voters approved constitutional amendments which, according to the president, strengthened parliament - a view disputed by the opposition. Two months later, Mr Bakiyev's party won an overwhelming majority in a snap parliamentary election.

International monitors described both votes as flawed.

Born in 1949, Kurmanbek Bakiyev trained as an engineer but soon gained a reputation as a successful factory boss. In the 1990s he worked as an economic manager and a regional governor.

Mr Bakiyev became prime minister at the end of 2000. He joined the opposition after he was forced to resign from that post in 2002 following an incident in which several opposition demonstrators were shot dead by police.

He became leader of the newly formed Ak Zhol party in October 2007, and is originally from the south of the country.

Media

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The media in Kyrgyzstan have traditionally enjoyed greater editorial freedom than their regional counterparts, but have been subject to increasing pressure in recent years.

Large fines, often the outcome of legal actions for slander, create financial burdens for opposition and private media outlets, according to press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders.

Editorial content is also influenced by informal government censorship and self-censorship among journalists, says the US-funded Internews media organisation.

TV is the dominant medium. National state-run radio and TV networks have yet to achieve complete coverage, especially in the south of the country.

Most private broadcasters and publishers operate in a difficult financial climate. Most of the non-state TV and radio stations are based in Bishkek.

The internet has yet to make significant inroads outside the towns and cities.

The press

• Slovo Kyrgyzstana - government-owned, published three times a week
• Vecherniy Bishkek - private daily
• MSN - private daily
• ResPublica - private daily
• Litsa - mouthpiece of Ar-Namys Party
• Delo No - private weekly
• Liberalnaya Gazeta - private weekly
• Obshchestvennyy Reyting - private weekly
• RIF Obozreniye - private weekly
• Times of Central Asia - Bishkek-based, English-language, regional coverage

Television

• Kyrgyz National TV and Radio Broadcasting Corporation - state-run, two networks
• Piramida - private, Bishkek area
• Kyrgyz Public Educational TV (KOORT) - private
• Ecological Youth TV (EYTV) - private, Issyk-Kul
• Osh TV - private, Osh
• Independent Bishkek TV - private, Bishkek
• NTS - private, Bishkek

Radio

• Kyrgyz National TV and Radio Broadcasting Corporation - state-run, operates Kyrgyz Radio 1 and 21 Vek (21st century) networks
• Ekho Bishkeka - private, Bishkek
• Almaz - private, Bishkek
• Europa Plus - private, Bishkek, Osh
• Russkoye Radio - private
• Auto Radio - private

News agencies

• Kabar - state-run, English-language pages
• AKIpress - private, English-language pages
• 24.kg - private, English-language pages