By Akylbek Japarov
This is how I would define the current historical situation. This is not an unfounded apology for the work of the president and his team. Although there is something to be proud of. First of all, the pace that has been set for the country, the pace that allows Kyrgyzstan to stay afloat, despite the turbulence of the modern world, because like in that fairy tale about Alice, we have to run to stay in place.
There is no apology, first of all, because there is confidence in the pure intentions of all our predecessors, despite all the mistakes they made. This approach is not only historically correct, but also promising. It lays the foundations of national accord and unity – a guarantee not only of the existence, but also of the progressive development of the country. It was precisely these considerations that guided our President when he gathered all his predecessors at one table. In this sense, I, in turn, am grateful to all who worked before me, because the experience they accumulated, both positive and negative, forms the basis of the work of the current cabinet of ministers.
This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Region. The significance of this event cannot be overestimated. Then 100 years ago, the foundation was laid for the statehood of the Kyrgyz people, lost many centuries ago.
In this regard, one cannot help but be amazed by the historical insight, political will and civil courage of the Kyrgyz elite at the beginning of the 20th century. The names of Zhusup Abdrakhmanov, Abdykadyr Orozbekov, Abdykerim Sydykov, Ishenaly Arabaev and many others are an unquenchable example of service to the people, both for us and for all subsequent generations.
In a difficult and dangerous historical situation, showing intelligence, will and courage, putting freedom and life itself at stake, they created our statehood.
Our duty to them and future generations is to preserve and develop what they have created. We must not relax on this path. We must not believe, like Francis Fukuyama, that History has ended. The work of preserving and strengthening our statehood must not cease for a minute.
The modern world is unpredictable and dangerous, as never before in the last half century. The world order that emerged after the Second World War is being reformatted. Competition between economies, religions and ideologies. The tough struggle of the world’s leading powers for spheres of influence, all these realities pose challenges for us no less difficult than for the founding fathers of the newest Kyrgyz statehood. The example that we should take from their activities is courage, determination and the ability to look far ahead.
For three years the country has been living tensely, as it must live in order not only to exist, but also to develop.
Since independence, we have played many games: the initial accumulation of capital, wild capitalism, poorly understood liberalism. Unfortunately, all this without taking into account the historical, economic, geographical situation. We, like children, tried to imitate adults, acquiring the attributes of maturity, without really filling them. But unfortunately, there was no other way for us to grow up.
Two years ago we returned the Kumtor mine to the people. I consider this a decisive milestone in the history of the formation of the country’s sovereignty. Its significance lies not only and not so much in the material plane, as is commonly believed, but in the spiritual, no matter how strange this may seem in relation to such a substance as gold.
The fact is that Kumtor is a mistake of our youth, the price for naivety and careless openness to the new world that had opened up. Later, it turned into a cancerous tumor of corruption that metastasized into all spheres of our lives. In these conditions, it was impossible to do without surgical intervention, and it was possible only with absolute sterility of thoughts. I am sure that it was with the elimination of this tumor that a new stage in the life of Kyrgyzstan began. What we see now: schools and roads being built, wage growth, pensions and benefits, filling the people’s treasury – is a direct consequence of the return of Kumtor.
Another problem that posed a serious threat to the state was the dominance of criminality. The latter phenomenon, during the years of government inaction, managed to deeply advance its ideology among the masses. So-called “starshaki”, analogues of criminal authorities of the criminal world, appeared almost in kindergartens. Decisive and uncompromising steps by the country’s leadership dealt a heavy defeat to this dangerous phenomenon, and there is confidence that this is irreversible.
The leadership of Kyrgyzstan also demonstrates steadfastness and political will in ensuring the country’s security. The concept of peace and harmony with neighbors, overcoming inevitable friction and contradictions by peaceful, mutually beneficial and constructive methods, are the basis of relations with neighbors. It will allow us to solve the problems left to us by our common past, when we lived in one country. All other alternatives are simply unacceptable.
3 years and 30 enterprises ready to start working during these holidays. This is symbolic. Kyrgyzstan is confidently gaining momentum and moving forward.
Happy holiday, dear compatriots!
