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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 13-Jun-2010
13-Jun-10 News -- Kyrgyzstan gives 'shoot to kill' order to army

Web Log - June, 2010

13-Jun-10 News -- Kyrgyzstan gives 'shoot to kill' order to army

U.S. and U.K. tie in soccer at World Cup

Kyrgyzstan mobilizes the reserves after Russia rejects plea for help

The U.S., China and Russia are nervously watching whether the ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan, that we reported on yesterday, will escalate or simmer down, for fear that wider regional war will be triggered.

However, Russia has refused to provide military help to quell the violence at this time, according to Ria Novosti. This leaves the weak Kyrgyz government on its own to deal with the potential civil war.

The Kyrgyz interim government passed a decree on Saturday declaring a partial mobilization of the civilian reservists and allowed police and the troops to shoot to kill in order to quench the riots and stop marauders, according to Ria Novosti. However, these measures may quell the violence, but they may also trigger greater violence.

Meanwhile, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), consisting of Russia and former Soviet bloc members Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, will meet on Monday to discuss the possible deployment of a peacekeeping force.

However, I see that the CSTO spokesperson said the meeting is aimed to "make proposals on the collective measures over the settlement of the Kyrgyz riots". The CSTO members will also discuss how to prevent the possible inter-ethnic conflicts in future, restore the order and provide the security in the country. That sounds to me like a committee that's going to accomplish nothing, but we'll see.

Reporting from the border between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in the Fergana Valley, Al-Jazeera says that the situation is worsening, with ethnic Uzbek neighborhoods on fire, with bodies scattered inside the burned buildings. At least 77 people have been killed, with over 1000 injuries.

Here's an al-Jazeera video describing the plight of Uzbek women and children fleeing to the Uzbek borders, as the men stay behind to defend their homes:

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Most American's don't know it, but the biggest sporting event in the world is taking place during the next four weeks: The World Cup soccer championships, being held in South Africa. On Saturday, to the astonishment of all, the U.S. team managed to tie with U.K. team -- but only after a truly spectacular misplay by the goalie of U.K.'s team. NY Times

Saturday was the first anniversary of last year's disputed presidential election. Riots and demonstrations broke out throughout Tehran and other Iranian cities. However only hundreds of protestors turned out, rather than the tens of thousands last year. LA Times

With Greece close to bankruptcy, and a pariah to many investors, the Chinese are planning to invest millions or billions of euros in Greece's economy, so that Greece can serve as a gateway for Chinese products to be sold in Europe. Washington Post

Deutsche Bank made huge amounts of money by purchasing subprime mortgages during the height of the real estate bubble, but now is experiencing a public relations disaster because it's now foreclosing on many homes. Spiegel

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, is also the current president of the European Union. At an EU meeting on Monday, Zapatero will advocate a "strong, joint" EU position saying that Israel's blockade of Gaza is "unacceptable and counterproductive." AFP

I've stated several times how surprised I was at the rapidity with which Turkey-Israeli relations deteriorated after a period of a few days. Turkey has frequently felt humiliated by the west, through rejection as an EU member and through accusations of genocide of the Armenians during WW I. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is also expressing concern, blaming it on the EU: "I personally think that if there is anything to the notion that Turkey is, if you will, moving eastward, it is, in my view, in no small part because it was pushed, and pushed by some in Europe refusing to give Turkey the kind of organic link to the West that Turkey sought." Reuters

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan apparently upped the stakes with Israel by demanding the "Israel must apologize and compensate." Erdogan is becoming increasing popular among Arabs, helping Turkey regain its status as when it was head of the Ottoman Empire. Jerusalem Post

After the recent clash between Israeli forces and the "Freedom Flotilla" over the Gaza blockade, in a surprise move, Egypt opened up the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. However, on Saturday, hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists from Cairo were blocked from entering Gaza. AFP

Japan's government is trying to attract young men to invest in Japanese bonds by running magazine ads that claim that young Japanese women are more attracted to men who invest in Japanese government bonds. Bloomberg

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 13-Jun-10 News -- Kyrgyzstan gives 'shoot to kill' order to army thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (13-Jun-2010) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 13-Jun-2010 13-Jun-10 News -- Kyrgyzstan gives 'shoot to kill' order to army

Kyrgyzstan mobilizes the reserves after Russia rejects plea for help

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 13-Jun-2010
13-Jun-10 News -- Kyrgyzstan gives 'shoot to kill' order to army