March 24, 2005

Neighbouring countries react (or not)

Interesting story from AP (via Newsday):

Uzbek state television plays down events:

(S)tate-run television news did not mention the uprising in Kyrgyzstan as breaking news. It did have a one-minute, matter-of-fact report on the events in the capital of Bishkek at the end of the program, which was full of the usual praise for the Uzbek government.

Kazakhstan is cautious:

(T)elevision channels did not mention the crisis engulfing its neighbor in news broadcasts until early evening. (...) Kazakhstan closed its border with Kyrgyzstan in late afternoon, a Kazakh security official told the Interfax news agency.

Tajikistan play events down:

(T)he state television played down the Kyrgyz revolution, reporting at the end of its news broadcasts that opposition supporters had seized control of some government buildings.

And finally Turkmenistan's state television brought an old story:

State television showed day-old footage of a visit by Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who had come to discuss gas supplies with Turkmen leader Saparmurat Niyazov, who declared himself president-for-life several years ago.

Well, isn't Yushchenko's appearance on Turkmen TV also a sign on such a day?

Posted by Ben at March 24, 2005 10:14 PM