By Aisha Aslanbekova (9/10/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

On August 11, on the threshold of celebration of the Independence Day and the 2200th year of Kyrgyz statehood, the Kyrgyz government adopted a decree “On the reconstruction of the main square “Ala-Too”. The decree made provision for transferring Lenin Statue erected in 1984 from the main square of Bishkek to the old square and replacing it by a Statue of Liberty, which is meant to symbolize independent Kyrgyzstan.

The government’s decree immediately evoked not only resolute protest on the part of the Communist party of Kyrgyzstan, but it also evoked sharp criticism from the Socialist party “Atameken”, the “Jangy Kyrgyzstan” party, and the “Erkin Kyrgyzstan” and “Asaba” parties.

By Gulnara Ismailova (9/10/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The construction of the 1740 km long BTC oil pipeline with a throughput of 50 million tons of hydrocarbons yearly is estimated to cost US$ three billion. But these figures not final, according to experts, and the cost of the Pipeline could be much higher. According to the proposed scheme, 30% of expenditures will be covered by the own resources of the consortium, members of a group of sponsors, and 70% by means of international financing institutes.

By Aisha Aslanbekova (8/27/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

One of the most serious problems in Kyrgyz prisons is overcrowding. The organization “Penal reform International” put Kyrgyzstan among the 20 countries, which have the highest ratio of prison population. At present in Kyrgyzstan, a country with a total population of 5 million people, the number of prisoners constitutes 22,000 people.