An opposition coalition proclaimed a new interim government Thursday in Kyrgyzstan and said it would rule until elections are held in six months. It urged the president to resign and said there were no immediate plans to change the U.S. lease for a strategic airfield.
The Russians are suspected of having a hand in the changes taking place:
Members of the besieged government of Kyrgyzstan suspect that Moscow precipitated the violent upheaval that has swept the former Soviet republic in Central Asia. Already scores of people have been killed and hundreds more wounded after troops opened fire on protesters, who in turn overpowered the police, stormed and looted government buildings and forced President Kurmanbek Bakiev to flee the country. On Wednesday, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin denied any involvement by his country in the turmoil after his Kyrgyz counterpart said that Putin gave the go-ahead to the revolt.
Tell me with a straight face that Russia wouldn't do something like this while signing a nuclear arms treaty with us. The Russians have said that their support for our supply lines is contingent on things like going along with their position on missile defense. A little "problem" with that supply line in the glow of a summit signing conveys very clearly the Russian intent that we go along with their view of the treaty unless we want them to spoil the party and celebration of "resetting" relations with Moscow. I mean, is it really as ridiculous as Russia invading a country while Putin sits at the Summer Olympics?
Russia is a sick and dying country, and they're pushing us around like we're nothing. Ah, smart diplomacy!
UPDATE: Fancy this:
Kyrgyzstan's self-proclaimed new leadership said on Thursday that Russia had helped to oust President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, and that they aimed to close a U.S. airbase that has irritated Moscow.
And on the day the Obama administration touts its reset with our relations with Russia. Huh.
Another such reset and we shall be ruined, eh?
