Kyrgyzstan’s Politics of Ethnic HatredHow the Roots Were Planted and the

Fruits Harvested

Baktybek BeshimovOctober 30, 2010

Central Eurasian Studies Society Eleventh Annual Conference

2

Key Theses

• Kyrgyzstan’s political elite is responsible for ethnic clashes

• Coups of 2005 and 2010 have created preconditions for ethnic conflicts

• High fragmentation of Kyrgyz society allows external forces to exert influence

3

Interethnic Policy Of Kyrgyz Regimes1991-2010

Akaev Bakiev Interim Government

ConceptionMostly Kyrgyz-

Centric Kyrgyz-Centric Uncertain

Policy Common Home Not Formulated Not Formulated

MethodsBalance,

ManipulationManipulation,

SubjectionProvocation, Manipulation

ResultsInterethnic Balance Conflict Clashes

Events

Conflicts in 90s-on Kyrgyz/Tajik border

2006 -Kyrgyz/Dungan

Clashes, 2007-2009 Kyrgyz/Uzbek

tension

2010 - Kyrgyz/Turk clashes,

Kyrgyz/Uzbek deadly conflict

4

Unresolved Problems

• Identity• Integration of Uzbeks in Nation-State Building• Migration within the country• Decline of Education• Business Cooperation• Criminalization

KyrgyzRussian

Uzbek

Otherminorities

Uzbekistan’sPoliticalRegime

6

7

Kyrgyz and Uzbek Prejudices

Kyrgyz

• Uzbeks Never Recognized Kyrgyzstan as Homeland

• Uzbeks are Separatists

Uzbeks

• Kyrgyz Never Recognized Uzbeks as their Equals

• Kyrgyz are Nationalists

8

Uzbek Dilemma

Ethnocentric

• Kyrgyzstani Uzbeks are a part of Greater Uzbekistan

• Possible Results: Nationalism - Conflict and Disintegration

Civic -Centric

• Uzbeks are a part of Kyrgyzstan's Nation

• Possible Result: Nation-State Building

9

Uzbek Politics in KyrgyzstanTraditional Uzbek Leaders

Uzbek Young Turks Uzbek Populace

Political Interests Power and Money Civic Nation Security and Rights

Political Methods Deal and Manipulation

Participation, Open Discussion

Support of Leaders

Uzbek CulturalAutonomy

Promotion Promotion, Russian Franca Lingua

Support

Income Rich Middle Class Poor

Thank you

Note: Table 6 from the article of the Martin Schuler, Migration Patterns of the Population in Kyrgyzstan. http://eps.revues.org/index1967.html