Is Kyrgyzstan's Interim Government Equal To The Crisis?

By Torokul Doorov, Charles Recknagel

The fast-moving crisis in southern Kyrgyzstan -- where some 400,000 people have been displaced amid deadly ethnic violence -- would be enough to challenge even the most stable government.

But the interim administration of Roza Otunbaeva, propelled to power amid street fighting in Bishkek two months ago, often seems particularly ill-prepared for the task.

The government's difficulties were highlighted today as acting Prime Minister Otunbaeva flew to Osh to reassure her countrymen the worst was over. But as she met with officials and visited a hospital, she stayed away from the city's devastated Uzbek neighborhoods, where hundreds of Uzbeks remain huddled behind massive barricades and unidentified gunmen continue to fire rounds.

Otunbaeva gave no reason for staying out of the danger zone. But her decision risked giving the impression that neither she nor the military commanders who report to her have the power to move freely through the city.

All this can't help but raise the question of how much authority the interim government actually does exercise in the south of Kyrgyzstan or, even more broadly, across the country.

The question has come up repeatedly almost since the moment the interim government formed on April 8, one day after mass riots and looting toppled the government of President Kurmanbek Bakiev.

Leaked Conversations

At that time, Otunbaeva announced the country would hold a referendum in six months to approve a new constitution and pave the way for general elections. That referendum, which the government has said it still intends to hold, is scheduled for June 27.

But if the interim government appeared to get off to a smooth and popular start, it soon became evident that it lacked cohesion.

Its strongest personalities almost immediately began feuding among themselves over top government appointments -- raising questions over who had authority over what.

(read more)