Registran.net is all over this one. Excerpts:
The rally today began peacefully, with thousands gathering in the central square to renew calls that Akaev step down.
But the demonstrations turned violent after apparent Akaev supporters clashed with the protesters.
....
“The police forces, which are probably several hundred, managed to move toward the center of the square and repel the protesters, and it looked like the police forces had the upper hand for about two minutes. And then, after two or three minutes, the protesters managed to repel the police forces, and this is exactly the moment when the clashes broke out,” [an observer] said.
....
demonstrators chased away riot police who had ringed the building after a tense standoff that turned violent at times.
....
most of the people demonstrating on Alatoo [central square of Bishkek] crossed the metal barriers surrounding the ‘White House’ and entered the government building. Many citizens forced their way through the police lines at the checkpoint outside the building and went in,” [another observer] said.
....
"A bit scary at times - I saw people beaten, ambulances carrying away the injured, cars stoned, window being broken and a Kyrgyz flag being flown from the top floor of the White House. Apparently it was after the people were charged by the horse guards and did not retreat that the militia began to leave the scene." [another observer]
....
Officials could be seen leaving through a side door, protected by Interior Ministry troops. Some camouflage-clad troops were leaving the building, and none appeared to be confronting the protesters.
Exciting stuff... Read the whole thing here.
And there is more at Gateway Pundit here.
And more at Ben Parrmann and Christopher Schwartz here.
Latest from Registran:
I am in the central square. People are saying ‘freedom, liberty.’ Now they are celebrating but half an hour ago it was quite tense. […]
Usually people wear orange, pink, but today for the first time, they were all wearing multi-coloured, silk scarves - rainbow colours. This is very symbolic because various political factions - each of them has their own colour - yellow, pink, red, blue, green. […]
There are at least 20,000 people altogether - about 200-300 got inside the presidential palace. They were throwing out papers and portraits.
The opposition leaders eventually asked the protesters to leave the building because the situation was not controllable.
The leaders of the opposition have entered into the talks with the remaining government officials.
I have seen other reports to the effect that some government ministers have been taken prisoner by protesters.
And more at Publius Pundit here.
HERE IS THE PLACE TO START: Nathan's "Kyrgyzstan Coverage: All in One Post"
We should note a few things about this protest:
1) It clearly shows the inspiration of earlier protests in Georgia and Ukraine and Lebanon. These, far more than Iraq, have provided templates for protest.
2) The authoritarian governments so far challenged, both in the Middle East and in Central Asia have been remarkably inept in their responses. Except in Iraq the levels of violence have been surprisingly low. So many times in the past troops have just moved in and quashed uprisings. Why is it different this time?
3) The hot babe theory of successful revolution doesn't seem to apply here. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
UPDATE:
AP reports:
By STEVE GUTTERMAN, Associated Press Writer
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan - President Askar Akayev and his family left Kyrgyzstan's capital by helicopter Thursday evening, the Interfax news agency reported, hours after protesters seized government headquarters in Bishkek and claimed control of state broadcasting facilities.
Read it here.
MORE:
Russia is not happy..., not happy at all. Gateway to Russia argues:
progressive forces do not lead the opposition movement, rather extremists, criminal leaders and drug dealers with an interest in stirring revolt and criminal chaos.
And they charge that the US is behind this whole thing:
Those looking on with alarm detect an American finger in the pie. The city of Osh endured clashes and armed conflict in Soviet times. But the current opposition acts under a different scenario, that of spontaneous mass protest. Kyrgyzstan is the first country, among those where revolution has swept, with a U.S. military base on its territory. There’s a U.S. trace also behind the move of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, known for pro-American sentiment, who proposed his being a mediator.
Why was Askar Akayev chosen as the victim of revolutionary enthusiasm? Experts say the reason is Akayev being not a pro-western person.
Ah, yes, "the experts say..." Read the whole thing here.
Cold War habits of thought are hard to break, aren't they?
UPDATE:
AP reports:
Condi Rice has said that the US generally supports the Kyrgyz reformers, but deplores violence.
The United States would not confirm media reports that Kyrgyzstan's president has fled the country following street demonstrations, and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld cast doubt on those reports.
"The intelligence reports do not verify what you cited," Rumsfeld answered when asked directly about reports that President Askar Akayev had fled.
Stay tuned....
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