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July 24, 2009

US Silent on Alleged Kyrgyz Vote Fraud
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In Kyrgyzstan, international monitors are accusing President Kurmanbek
Bakiyev of massive fraud in national elections. Partial results show
Bakiyev ahead with 85 percent of the vote. But monitors with the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe say the vote has
been marred by several irregularities. As voting began, two main
opposition candidates dropped out of the race in protest. One of the
candidates, Jenishbek Nazaraliev, said the vote was a “fake.”

Jenishbek Nazaraliev: “If you ask any Kyrgyz citizen or people from
nearby countries, those who are able to think, they can clearly
understand that these elections are being held for the sake of holding
elections. They are fake and being conducted just for Bakiyev.”

The Obama administration has been largely silent on alleged fraud and
other abuses in Kyrgyzstan since the Kyrgyz government reversed the
closure of a US military base last month. The base has been vital to the
US occupation of Afghanistan.



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