Akaev Askar Akaevich: biography, activities and interesting facts. Akayev Askar Akayevich Former President of Kyrgyzstan Akayev

Former President of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan

Former President of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Lecturer at Lomonosov Moscow State University. Knight of the Order of Honor, full member of the New York Academy of Sciences, member of the Islamic Academy of Sciences and honorary professor of Moscow State University, foreign full member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) in the department " information Technology and computing systems."

Askar Akaevich Akaev was born on November 10, 1944 in the Kemin region of the Kirghiz SSR. In 1967, he graduated with honors from the Leningrad Institute of Precision Mechanics and Optics, receiving the qualification of a computer mathematical engineer. In 1967-1971, Akaev studied in graduate school, defended his candidate's dissertation in 1972, and his doctoral dissertation in 1981.

In 1972-1988, Akaev worked at the Frunze Polytechnic Institute (now the Kyrgyz Polytechnic Institute). Technical University). In 1977, he was awarded the Lenin Komsomol Prize of Kyrgyzstan in the field of science and technology. In 1981, Akaev was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honor. In 1984, Akaev became a full member of the Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan, in 1987 - vice-president, and a year later - president of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

From 1981 to 1991 he was a member of the CPSU. In 1986, he was elected to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan, and then became a people's deputy of the Kyrgyz SSR. In 1989, Akaev was elected deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Later he was elected a member of the House of Nationalities of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, a member of the Committee of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on economic reform. In 1990-1991 he was a member of the CPSU Central Committee.

In 1989–1990, Akaev began to be perceived as a compromise political figure, capable of reconciling the parties fighting for power in Kyrgyzstan during the transition period. On October 27, 1990, at an extraordinary session of the Kyrgyz parliament, Akaev was elected president of the republic. In August 1991 he acted as an opponent of the State Emergency Committee. Subsequently, he refused the post of vice-president of the Soviet Union offered to him by President Mikhail Gorbachev.

On October 12, 1991, during direct presidential elections, Akaev, having received more than 95 percent of the votes, was re-elected as President of Kyrgyzstan. In February 1992 - May 1993, he headed the republican government. In January 1994, he held a referendum on confidence in himself as president to confirm his legitimacy after the adoption of the new constitution of the republic in 1993. In September 1994, Akaev dissolved parliament and the following year held elections for a new Jogorku Kenesh (assembly of people's representatives) of Kyrgyzstan. According to independent observers, the elections were held with numerous violations. On December 24, 1995, Akaev was re-elected President of Kyrgyzstan for a second term. In 1998, the Constitutional Court allowed the president to run for a third term, and in 2000 he was elected for another five years.

The media indicated that as a result of post-Soviet reforms, the leadership of Kyrgyzstan managed to stabilize the national currency, reduce inflation and attract a significant amount of foreign investment. Akaev allowed the activities of opposition political parties, the publication of independent press organs, tried to prevent the emigration of the Russian-speaking population, and gave the Russian language official status in the republic. In foreign policy advocated the establishment of partnerships between states and regions. Kyrgyzstan was the first CIS country to join the WTO. At the same time, the opposition argued that Akaev’s economic policy contributed to the enrichment of the president’s relatives and supporters and led to an aggravation of social contradictions in the republic.

On March 24, 2005, the “Tulip Revolution” took place in Kyrgyzstan - a bloodless coup d’etat supported by the majority of the population. Akaev fled to Kazakhstan, and on April 5, 2005, he wrote a statement about his voluntary resignation as president of Kyrgyzstan. In August 2005, the rector of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Viktor Sadovnichy, invited Akaev to give a course of lectures at the Institute of System Mathematics. The media also wrote in the fall of 2009 that the former president of Kyrgyzstan continues to live in Moscow and teach at Moscow State University.

In August 2010, Akaev, by decree of the provisional government of Kyrgyzstan, was deprived of immunity, as well as the status of former president.

In May 2006, Akaev was elected a foreign full member of the RAS. In October 2006, the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office of Kyrgyzstan announced that 106 criminal cases were being investigated against Akaev's relatives and his immediate circle (the progress of the investigation was not reported).

Askar Akayev has many awards and titles, is a full member of the New York Academy of Sciences, the Islamic Academy of Sciences, and an honorary professor at Moscow State University. In 1995, he was awarded the International Unity Fund, created on the initiative of Jawaharlal Nehru. During my scientific activity published over 150 scientific works, including 15 monographs, textbooks and teaching aids.

Akayev’s wife Mairam was the only “first lady” in the world who had an academic degree. She headed the International Charitable Foundation "Meerim". The Akayevs have four children. The eldest son, Aidar, is married to the youngest daughter of the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, and worked at the largest Kazakh bank, Kazkommertsbank. He participated and won the first round of parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan in March 2005. After the revolution, he fled the country, but is still listed as a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh. Akaev's daughter Bermet is a former deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh. She worked in Switzerland in UN structures. In 2003, she participated in the creation of the “Alga, Kyrgyzstan!” movement. The younger children of the ex-president - Saadat Akaeva and Ilim Akaev - headed the public foundation "Library of the First President".

Askar Akaevich Akaev(born November 10, 1944, the village of Kyzyl-Bairak, Chui region, Kirghiz SSR, USSR) - Kyrgyz former statesman and politician, engaged in scientific activities in Moscow.

Askar Akaevich Akaev
President of Kyrgyzstan
August 31, 1991 - April 11, 2005
Predecessor: position created
Succeeded by: Kurmanbek Bakiev
Religion: Atheism
Birth: November 10, 1944 Kyzyl-Bairak, Chui region, Kyrgyz SSR, USSR
Education: Leningrad Institute of Precision Mechanics and Optics
Academic title: Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR
Profession: engineer-mathematician

From 1990 to 2005 Askar Akayev- President of the Kyrgyz Republic (until 1991 - the Kyrgyz SSR). Foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In 1989-1990, President of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR.

Born on November 10, 1944 in the village of Vorontsovka, Kemin region, Kirghiz SSR, in the family of collective farmer Akai Tokoev.
In 1961 Askar Akayev graduated from high school with a gold medal.
In 1968 Askar Akayev Graduated with honors from the Leningrad Institute of Precision Mechanics and Optics and entered graduate school.
In 1980 Askar Akayev defended his doctoral dissertation at the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute.
In 1984 Askar Akayev elected a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR, in the same year he became an academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR. Askar Akayev- professor, honorary doctor and foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, has about 150 scientific works, 43 articles, 7 inventions. He trained 20 candidates and 3 doctors of science. Seven of his students became laureates of various awards. According to the leading expert in the field of holography, Academician Yuri Denisyuk, Askar Akaev “was able to achieve amazing results at the intersection of two areas - optics and computer technology, far ahead of his time.”
In 1989-1990, President of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR.
At the XXVIII Congress of the CPSU in July 1990, he was elected a member of the CPSU Central Committee.
October 27, 1990 Askar Akayev elected president of the Kirghiz SSR.
In August 1991 Askar Akayev sharply condemned the formation and actions of the State Emergency Committee, which were accompanied by bloodshed (he issued a number of decrees on the boycott of the actions of the State Emergency Committee on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic). Together with the Supreme Council of the Kyrgyz Republic, he announced the declaration of independence of the Kyrgyz Republic.
December 21, 1991 Askar Akayev came to Alma-Ata and took part in the creation of the CIS together with other presidents of the former union republics; signed a number of international treaties and agreements to overcome the crisis.
On March 2, 1992, he was present at the vote at the UN headquarters for the admission of Kyrgyzstan to UN membership. I watched the raising of the flag of Kyrgyzstan near the UN headquarters.
In October 1991 (in elections) and January 1994 (in referendum) presidential powers were confirmed.
December 24, 1995 Askar Akayev- re-elected president for a second term. He was supported by more than 70 percent of those who voted in the elections.
April 5, 2005 - as a result of a popular protest called the “Tulip Revolution”, accompanied by a clash with the police, the encirclement of the presidential residence and its pogrom, A. A. Akayev, with the help of the special services, they managed to escape from the territory of the republic. Popular mass protests are caused by election fraud, illegal changes to the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, the removal of democratic language and the alteration of articles of the Constitution for personal totalitarian purposes. An important factor in the discontent of the masses was its family-clan corruption. During his presidency, a conflict situation and political crisis repeatedly brewed. The General Prosecutor's Office of the Kyrgyz Republic opened criminal cases against A. A. Akayeva, after his escape and his family members, sending requests to Russian Federation- about his extradition.
April 11, 2005 - de jure the parliament of the republic (Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic) accepted the resignation. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he works as a professor at Moscow State University, holding the position of chief researcher at the Institute for Mathematical Research of Complex Systems named after. I. R. Prigozhin.
May 2006 Askar Akayev- Elected a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences for outstanding research in the field of optical information processing.
2009 - coordinator of the subprogram “Complex system analysis and modeling of world dynamics” of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Family of Askar Akayev

His wife, Mairam, headed the Meerim charitable foundation when Askar Akayev was president.
The eldest son Aidar was married to the youngest daughter of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Aliya. The marriage was short-lived (from 1998 to 2001). In 2005, shortly before the “Tulip Revolution”, he was elected to the parliament of Kyrgyzstan - the Jogorku Kenesh. After the change of power, the election results in his district were annulled, and Aidar Akaev himself was put on the wanted list on suspicion of economic crimes.
Daughter Bermet is married to Kazakh businessman Adil Toigonbaev (also wanted by the Kyrgyz authorities for economic crimes). In 2005, she, like her brother, ran for the Jogorku Kenesh and won the elections, but after the revolution the voting results were canceled. In 2007, she attempted to be elected to parliament a second time - already under the new authorities. But the court of the Kemin district (small homeland Askar Akayev) withdrew her candidacy.
During his time in power, Askar Akayev’s younger children, daughter Saadat and son Ilim, also prepared for political and social activities: they headed the public foundation “Library of the First President.”

Awards of Askar Akayev
Order of the Badge of Honor (1981)
Pushkin Medal (August 23, 1999, Russia) - for great contribution to the preservation and dissemination of Russian cultural heritage in the Kyrgyz Republic
Order of Dostyk (Friendship) 1st degree (Kazakhstan, December 10, 2001)
Order of the White Double Cross, 1st class (Slovakia, December 2003)
Laureate of the Lenin Komsomol Prize of Kyrgyzstan (1977) - for mathematical research into the problems of heating computers.
Winner of the 2012 N. D. Kondratiev gold medal “for outstanding contribution to the development of social sciences.”

AKAEV Askar Akaevich- (b. 11/10/1944) President of Kyrgyzstan from October 1990 to March 2005. Born in the village of Kyzyl-Bairak, Kemin region of the Kyrgyz SSR. He received his education at the Leningrad Institute of Precision Mechanics and Optics (1967, with honors) and in graduate school.… … Putin Encyclopedia

Akaev Askar Akaevich- ... Wikipedia

Akaev, Askar- Former President of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan Former President of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Lecturer at Lomonosov Moscow State University. Knight of the Order of Honor, full member of the New York Academy of Sciences, member of the Islamic Academy of Sciences and honorary professor of Moscow... ... Encyclopedia of Newsmakers

Akaev Askar- (b. 1944), President of Kyrgyzstan since 1990; physicist, academician (1987) and president (in 1989 1990) of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR. * * * AKAEV Askar AKAEV Askar Akaevich (b. November 10, 1944, village of Kyzyl Bayrak, Kemin district, Kirghiz SSR), Kyrgyz state... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

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Akayev- Akaev surname. Famous bearers Akaev, Aidar Askarovich (b. 1976) eldest son of the first president of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akaev. Akaev, Arsen Alievich (b. 1970) former Russian football player, currently coach of the Anzhi football club.... ... Wikipedia

Akajew- Askar Akajew. Askar Akajewitsch Akajew (kirgisisch Askar Akayevich Akayev; * 10. November 1944 in Kyzyl Bayrak) war 1990–1991 Präsident der Kirgisischen SSR und 1991–2005 der erste Staatspräsident des unabhängigen Kirgisistan. Nach einem... ... Deutsch Wikipedia

Who now officially lives in Moscow (Russia). The former president of Kyrgyzstan answered questions by email.

- Askar Akayevich, how are you doing? How much do you miss your homeland? What are you doing?

Thank you, everything is fine, life goes on as usual. Do I miss my homeland? Yes, I miss, or rather, I yearn for my native mountains, valleys, Lake Issyk-Kul, for my fellow countrymen who are spiritually close to me. Homesickness, I think, is one of the strongest human feelings.

Next, you wonder what I'm doing. After fourteen years of intense presidential activity, following my inner calling, I returned to science and fundamentally refused to participate in political activities. Moscow State University named after Lomonosov and Russian Academy Sciences provided me with excellent opportunities for creative work. It was a pleasure to realize that I had not lost my former presidency during the years scientific knowledge and never lost interest in science.

My current joint work with Academician V.A. Sadovnichy's research involves the application of modern mathematical methods to the analysis of complex processes in the global economy. Erupted in last years The global economic crisis has further increased the relevance of these studies. In addition to the Moscow group, I found talented scientific like-minded people in St. Petersburg. Together we are able to move forward faster. I hope that in the next couple of years I will be able to publish a large monograph that will summarize the results of my current scientific activities. Its publication, I am convinced, will undoubtedly arouse interest in world science.

- How do you assess the chance to return to your homeland in the near future? What's stopping you from returning?

In recent years, my supporters have raised the question of my return to my homeland. Of course, sooner or later I will return. This is my native land. There I was born, raised, and matured. My ancestors are buried there. And it is impossible to forget the years devoted without reserve to serving your people, fighting for their happiness and well-being. My conscience is clear before my people, I did everything in my power.

I would rephrase the second part of your question, not “what”, but “who” is stopping me from returning. The obstacles are primarily those people who, obeying the will of the overseas, guided by their own selfish interests, carried out a coup in March 2005. And these people who now saddled leadership positions in the state and public life They are afraid of my return, because the people are beginning to understand that they, together with Bakiyev, have destroyed the peaceful, prosperous, but not without difficulties, life of the new independent country. This is the crux of the matter. My creative efforts in society have not been forgotten.

-Are you still in the pay of the Russian government?

Frankly, the word “content” is unacceptable to me. This concept can only be used when talking about the orphaned, sick, disadvantaged, unable for one reason or another to earn a living. My family members and I are not one of those.

I feel the deepest gratitude to the government leadership of Russia for the moral support, hospitality and comprehensive assistance received during that first period. The Russian university and academic community provided me with significant support. I was invited as a professor at Moscow State University, chief researcher at the Institute for Mathematical Research of Complex Systems, and then awarded the highest scientific honor - elected a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Mairam Duishenovna became the first vice-president of the International Academy of Creativity. She also lectures at the university. Therefore, I want to say that we make a living through our own efforts.

- Who from Kyrgyzstan do you keep in touch with?

Forgive me, but I would not like to reveal in the media the names of friends, colleagues and compatriots who simply sympathize with me. I continue to receive many signals of support from them. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who supported me with letters, phone calls, and many people visited us in Moscow, even some elders and ordinary people came from the regions. My fears are caused by the fact that the atmosphere of a “witch hunt” in the republic still exists, despite the sweet promises of the new authorities. There are countless talented bright people who have died over the past six years in connection with their attempts to tell the truth. The journalistic corps also suffered its losses. You know that.

- How do you assess the socio-political situation in Kyrgyzstan today?

I consider the internal political situation in the republic to be unstable. There is no force in the country that would enjoy broad popular support. The current apparent calm in the Kyrgyz political field may turn out to be deceptive. Infighting within the political establishment could blow up the country again overnight. Where is the guarantee that they won’t happen?

A high degree of instability is observed in the socio-economic sphere. The events of 2005 caused irreparable damage to the economy. The reliable systemic basis of the economy was subjected to robbery. The Kyrgyz people know better than me what was happening in the country, especially in the field of security and economics in 2005-2010. Only external economic assistance saves the country from socio-economic collapse. The current authorities are pumping up official optimism on internal political and socio-economic problems and are deliberately deceiving society. To build the right policy, it is better to tell the truth. I am well aware that people do not believe numbers and specific indicators, especially those coming from official government sources in Kyrgyzstan.

God forbid, I am not predicting a catastrophe for the republic. Although this is not excluded if we have adventurers who, for their own benefit, will again raise the people to the barricades. The upcoming presidential elections may push them towards this. The only reassuring thing is that the Kyrgyz people have become wiser in recent years. They are unlikely to want to storm the White House again, support provocateurs, or fight for them. The ashes left over from 2005 and 2010 have not yet cooled down.

- In your opinion, is a parliamentary-presidential form of government suitable for Kyrgyzstan? What are its prospects?

I have repeatedly expressed my doubts regarding the introduction of a parliamentary-presidential system of government in the republic. I'm not going to repeat the corresponding argument. The current system of power will have to pass a demanding test of life. Traditionally, in a parliamentary republic, the leading political party should stand at the center, which, independently or in a coalition, will be directly responsible to the people. I cannot call what is happening here anything other than pseudo-parliamentarism. Taken together, the 5 parties included in the Jogorku Kenesh received only 36.3% of the votes in the elections, far from even reaching half. Almost 2/3 of voters remained outside the parliamentary system. I doubt that such a political structure will be tenacious and will ensure stability. It is possible that Kyrgyz society will have to return again to the issue of our political system.

You have said more than once which foreign power was behind the March 2005 coup. Which foreign power was behind the April 2010 coup?

Based on a number of serious scientific studies, it can be firmly recognized that overseas forces were behind the scenes of the Kyrgyz coup in March 2005. They helped in personnel formation of the militant opposition, in its rather generous financing and subsequent conducting, and the performers were our “heroes”. It was in those March days in the republic that the virus of political permissiveness, brought from overseas, was implanted in the public consciousness, the cultivation of constitutional nihilism, and the legality of using violence when resolving the issue of state power. This is a real political infection. It can affect the national body for a long time.

To our great regret, the events of April 2010 led to the death of people. This is a terrible grief for all our people. Brother killed brother. The President shot at his own people. The lives of 87 young people, which were cut short in the prime of life, cannot be justified by anything. Never! I don't think any foreign power could give the command to "shoot!" Of course not. It’s no secret that the inspirers were basically the same “heroes” who carried out the coup in 2005.

What is the most important mistake that the current leadership of the country should not make in order to avoid another coup?

The situation in the republic is now so difficult that the state leadership must do its best to avoid any mistakes. Even a small government mistake can serve as a detonator for a nationwide explosion. Thinking about the needs of the people, living in their interests - this is the main thing. My friends in the republic have told me more than once that the situation in the government leadership resembles a hornet’s nest. Often the struggle for power and personal interests outweighs all other concerns there. The people do not trust the current authorities. This is fraught with disaster.

- Do you think family rule is a dead end in the development of the state?

When you ask about family rule, you are obviously not talking about the theoretical aspects of the problem. Most likely we are talking about a myth that our ill-wishers have created about my family. There was only one goal - to increase the slander against me. Thank you for this important question. Let me answer more broadly. This is my first time doing this. I think the fuss around the so-called. the Akayev family rule is a malicious slander aimed at casting a dark shadow over a long period of successful development of the republic. My family did not rule Kyrgyzstan and did not set this goal for themselves. Judge for yourself. My brothers have never been to public service, occupied rather low-level positions in agriculture and civil aviation. As for children, only our eldest son Aidar worked in the state apparatus. Having graduated from the famous University of Maryland in America with a degree in economics, he served as an adviser to the Ministry of Finance, dealing exclusively with the issues of writing off Kyrgyzstan’s external debt to the Paris Club of creditors. The public of Kyrgyzstan is well aware that we were the only CIS country that achieved preferential restructuring and partial debt write-off. This was part of my son’s work. On his wife’s side, none of the relatives held government positions either. None of them were seen in any unseemly matters.

If you were given the opportunity to correct your one decision during your presidency, which decision would you correct?

Human life, like history, does not have a subjunctive mood. The difficulty in answering the question you asked is that most important events in the republic during the turning point post-Soviet era, they developed far from my personal will. In the post-Soviet space, irresistible political trends arose that were objective in nature and did not depend on the will of certain leaders of the post-Soviet states. It was necessary to integrate into the existing system of political and socio-economic coordinates. Sometimes, as in boxing, you had to learn to dodge blows coming from all sides. I'll approach the question from the other side. I can only say with confidence about what I would never do, about the line that I would not cross under any circumstances. I would never use violence against my own people or shoot at my compatriots for the sake of maintaining personal power. I would never double-deal, and some of our current politicians are guilty of such a sin. In 2005, I experienced a deep turning point in my life. But he did not change his moral principles. I am proud that my last presidential decision on March 24, 2005 was the order “Don’t shoot!” We all see that the orders of some presidents in the Arab world to shoot at their compatriots turned into national disasters and a dangerous regional fire.

- What parallels do you see in the interethnic conflict in the south of Kyrgyzstan in June 1990 and June 2010?

You asked a question that is in vain and difficult to discuss within the framework of our conversation. External parallels between the events in the south in 1990 and 2010 are obvious. But it is not the external side that is important, but the essence. The Fergana Valley is historically a complex region, but interethnic conflict has never been inherent in it. For many centuries, Kyrgyz and Uzbeks lived there side by side, were in close contact and were friends. Apparently, on both sides there were wise rulers who skillfully smoothed out the disputes that arose. The interethnic crucible is not capable of automatically bringing different ethnic groups together. We need conscious, active efforts by the governing forces who are responsible for the well-being and security of their peoples. We are talking about the need for a well-thought-out national policy. No matter how much they scolded the Soviet regime, the Kremlin leaders did not forget about it. I titled one of my articles in a well-known Russian socio-political magazine: “Without the strong friendship of peoples there would have been no victory in the Great Patriotic War" Developing my idea schematically, I note that the events of 1990 and 2010 occurred in conditions of social breakdown. In the first case it collapsed Soviet Union and interethnic bloodshed occurred on the fault line. In the second case, Kyrgyzstan found itself on the edge of a political abyss, and this largely determined the emergence of an interethnic conflict. The political elite in both cases was absorbed in the struggle for power and was far from specific popular concerns.

I cannot help but remind you that during my presidential years I gave priority attention to the problem of interethnic relations in the republic. The national idea “Kyrgyzstan is our Common Home” was proclaimed and actively implemented in practice. The southern city of Osh became the second capital of the republic. Large amounts of money were spent on the development of the South. There was a whole network of national and compatriot organizations, especially the “Assembly of the Peoples of Kyrgyzstan”, etc. Nothing is done spontaneously in the sphere of interethnic relations.

Historical parallels are sometimes risky, but I dare to express one thought. For many centuries, peoples on the European continent were at enmity, bloody wars raged there endlessly. The First and Second World Wars claimed the lives of hundreds of millions of Europeans. One can recall the feelings of enmity that the French and Germans felt towards each other for many centuries. The European Holocaust was a real tragedy. And look at today's Europe. France and Germany became friendly countries. A multinational community living in peace and harmony has emerged on the European continent. It took titanic efforts of state, political and public figures, numerous societies that worked in the name of friendship of peoples. This work in Europe is only intensifying over time and acquiring a broader framework. The result is obvious. And in our conditions, we need continuous powerful impulses that stimulate interethnic friendship in the Fergana Valley and in the republic as a whole. I have not yet seen such impulses from our authorities.

Is it true that before the parliamentary elections, Aidar Akayev met with Tashiev, Tyuleev and Keldibekov in Moscow?

In turn, I want to ask you: who in Kyrgyzstan today should you ask permission to meet with whom, and who not?

Our children, as you well know, have long been adults. They decide for themselves who to meet and what to discuss. As a rule, they do not report this to their parents. I don't interfere in this process.

Is it true that you laid the foundation for the situation in the country in which it now finds itself, and Bakiyev is simply a derivative of your rule?

This question is accompanied by your own statement, with which I categorically cannot agree. Of course, I do not renounce what I did as president. Times were difficult and not everything planned was accomplished. However, I left to my successors a prosperous, successfully developing, peaceful country. The image of Kyrgyzstan in the world community was the highest. Kyrgyzstan was called with great sympathy “an island of democracy in Central Asia.” What the irreconcilable opposition led by Bakiyev and Otunbayeva then did to the country lies entirely on their conscience. Now Kyrgyzstan has become an outcast in the world community. The world has lost interest in our country. As for Bakiyev, he really held high positions in my time. At the same time, behind its impressive facade, as all our people were convinced, there was an obscene essence hidden. This, for example, manifested itself during the analysis of the Aksy events. At a meeting of the Security Council held on this occasion, Bakiyev played tricks, cheated, dodged in every possible way, trying to evade responsibility. The Security Council meeting was broadcast on television throughout the country and people could see Bakiyev’s insides with their own eyes. The Security Council relieved Bakiyev of his prime minister's post. The Americans then picked him up and helped him become president. This is Washington's stinking gift to our people.

- Kyrgyzstan 20 years ago, today and 20 years later - Your view?

Many compatriots remember what Kyrgyzstan was like 20 years ago. And the collapse of the USSR. And the putsch. And the adoption of the Declaration of Independence of the Kyrgyz Republic on August 31. It was a fateful moment national history. It was my greatest honor to stand at the origins of the birth of Kyrgyz statehood. These were the most difficult years. Every year was ten, and a decade was equal to a whole century. It was difficult for everyone. Of course, first of all, our wise people helped me. People who, in spite of all difficulties, overcame colossal hardships and obstacles. And together with my people, as the first president, I bore this heavy cross. Despite the difficulties, we had a spiritual uplift. Reforms were successfully carried out in the field of economy, in the field of state building, as well as the nationwide celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Manas and the 2200th anniversary of Kyrgyz statehood with broad international support. according to the decisions of the UN and UNESCO, which then ensured the spiritual uplift of the people. What is happening now is before our eyes every day and hourly. There are no other feelings about this except anxiety. As for the future, 20 years later I see my republic as peaceful and prosperous. There have been worse times in our centuries-old history. The Kyrgyz are a tenacious, strong people. We'll get through this time too.

- Are there any candidates you support in the upcoming presidential elections?

I don’t have any specific figures for today. I will support someone who is capable of consolidating the people in domestic policy, achieving interethnic and interregional harmony and stability, and in foreign policy - firmly pursuing a course towards strengthening friendship and cooperation with Russia - our most reliable and long-standing ally. I see friendship with Russia as salvation for Kyrgyzstan.

- What kind of business does your family have? Your children and son-in-law Adil Toigonbaev?

My children got excellent education in famous Western universities. This allows them to be competitive in the labor market. They work successfully in large companies and earn good money. If you are interested in Aidar, he has recently been working as an analyst at the Center for Strategic Research, created in Moscow by the founder of the modern theory of emerging markets, the world famous professor V. Quint.

- Do you hope to be buried on your own land?

I am alive, healthy, successful in my work as a professor, with my feet firmly on the ground. This question is premature for me.

- How merciful do you think the people of Kyrgyzstan are?

I consider all peoples, without exception, to be merciful. Hatred, feelings of enmity towards neighboring peoples, painful hostility towards others are generated by political regimes that, in the name of immoral goals, for the sake of imposing domination over other peoples, push their compatriots to evil deeds. Mercy, in my opinion, does not mean humility. And the Kyrgyz people in their history have repeatedly shown the ability to boldly and bravely defend their land and rights. The heroic epic “Manas” is a witness to this.

- Do you believe in God?

I was born and raised in a religious family. And the feeling of faith in the Almighty still lives in the depths of the soul. To tell the truth, the education I received in Soviet times related to the study quantum physics, the secrets of the microcosm and other hidden secrets of nature, had a significant impact on my understanding of the world. Figuratively speaking, physicists, until recently, directly challenged God. The creator of the hydrogen bomb, Andrei Sakharov, for example, understood that he was able to create an explosive device capable of completely destroying life on Earth. This turned his consciousness towards the fight for peace, for a complete cessation of nuclear testing, etc. In short, the question of belief in God is extremely complex and sensitive for scientists. Most of them, as a rule, do not give direct answers to this question.

It’s impossible to forget that February call from the First Lady from Bishkek, although we talked quite often. Always restrained and delicate in an oriental way, she began any conversation with a question about the well-being of her loved ones and traditionally continued: what do they read in Moscow? What theater premieres are they talking about? - this time she sobbed into the phone. Has there been a tragedy?.. No. Worse.

The president of an Asian state, who was friendly towards Akayev, handed over to Askar Akayevich an interception - a report from the American ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Stephen Young to the US State Department. Still not fully understanding what it was about, she tried to reassure:

Mairam Duishenovna, all the ambassadors write reports, all of Asia is teeming with intelligence services, what’s special about that?

But this report is dated December 30, 2004, and the day before, December 26, they received us as best friends! I really didn’t want to go to those guests, but they persistently persuaded us.

Probably, there wasn’t enough incriminating evidence for the report, that’s why they invited me,” she joked in response, not entirely successfully.

Already now I ask Mairam Akaeva to remember in detail that evening almost ten years ago:

"The ambassador suggested that they celebrate Christmas with their families. The residence shone and sparkled. Mrs. Young is the head of some foundation related to democratization or of Eastern Europe or the whole world in general, was keenly interested in our life and existence, our children. The ambassador was in shock. He said that they have a tradition of celebrating Christmas with their family and closest friends. He and AA were talking about Jefferson, Napoleon and the intricacies of Japanese graphics. Of course, the conversation also concerned Kyrgyzstan. Stephen Young, in particular, said that AA did a lot to democratize the country and carried out successful economic reforms: “You are the best president in the CIS, but you would be the best president in any developed country.” The only record I have left of that day. He spoke Russian well. So the communication was dynamic and interesting. Mrs. Young and our eldest daughter Bermet talked about everything in the world...”

And now a word about the document obtained by Pakistani intelligence.

"From the perspective of the pre-election situation and in attempts to ensure fair and democratic elections in the Kyrgyz Republic and maintain our positions in the media and contacts with opposition leaders, I propose to focus on discrediting the current political regime, and make Akaev and his followers responsible for the economic crisis We must also take steps to disseminate information about the possible tightening of political freedom during the election campaign.

This is the most valuable compromise of Akaev personally by disseminating information in the opposition media about his wife’s involvement in financial fraud and bribery in the appointment of officials. We also recommend spreading rumors about her possible plans for the presidency, etc. All these means will help us create an image of an absolutely incapable president.
It is significant to increase the amount of financial support to $30 million for opposition parties at the initial stage of parliamentary and presidential elections and the formation of additional funds for NGOs...”

"Inspire riots against pro-presidential candidates"

30 million dollars, like the previous 5 and who knows how many, were worked out brilliantly. The most incredible rumors united the poor Kyrgyz people. Akaev was in full view, tall tales bounced off him, but his wife and children turned out to be the undisputed target. It's impossible to miss here. One can only assume what Mairam Akayeva, the president’s wife and mother of two parliamentary candidates, had to learn and endure. The laws of public struggle are not sterile anywhere in the world. From the ascension to the crucifixion - one step... It would seem that her Meerim foundation has raised many programs to support motherhood and childhood in a country, 95 percent of which is occupied by mountains. Her sketches about scientists “Stars of Science” and notes from the president’s wife “Hope Has No Night” have been translated into many languages. But who would explain to us now why the people, to put it mildly, did not like Raisa Maksimovna Gorbachev. You have to die to be understood, she said bitterly...

The hatred was sown so deeply that it is still alive: the Akayevs stole all the gold and budget of poor Kyrgyzstan. Undoubtedly, the United States knew the real financial state of both the country and the president. The most zealous financial detectives began searching for the foreign accounts of Akaev and his family. We didn't find anything! But they were looking!

History has not yet given an answer, it is also hostage to political strategists: who then came out with a protest - stoned militants or people who wanted change? Who ruled the country for 14 years: a democrat-scientist or a representative of the northern clan who privatized the country? Only for some reason the main Kyrgyz oligarch did not prepare spare palaces for himself, except for the state-owned Russian dacha...

The fate of President Akaev was not decided on the square.

I remember our long-standing, almost joking conversation: the CIS president comes to the Kremlin and says that the main strategic partner is Russia, comes to the White House, and says the United States. What won’t you do in the name of the interests of your native country...

During his visit to Washington, Akaev did not mix up anything, starting with the fact that, first of all, Russia is a historical, strategic ally of Kyrgyzstan, but his country is interested in building mutually beneficial and long-term relations with the United States.

Another quote from that same report from Ambassador Young to the US State Department: “Taking into account the interests of our presence in the region and the development of a democratic society in Kyrgyzstan, our main goal - in accordance with previously adopted plans - is to increase pressure on Akaev to force him to resign after the parliamentary elections.Given that this is a plan of exceptional importance, we think that today's opposition is not strong enough to challenge the authorities, although Akayev has said that he does not intend to extend his powers.

We know that Akaev's supporters suspect that the opposition is preparing an election scenario similar to Georgia and Ukraine. This was confirmed by Akaev at the December meeting of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic. If his presidential rule is extended, Akaev will mainly seek support among the Russian-speaking part of the population and other ethnic minorities, as well as several thousand residents currently earning money in Russia. In this regard, to better plan election tactics, we must remember that Russia is the main employer in Kyrgyzstan. Both pro-Russian public opinion and the popularity of the Russian president are quite strong in some northern regions of the country.

According to materials sent to the State Department earlier, two formations are currently emerging in the political arena of Kyrgyzstan. They will fight for seats in parliament and then nominate their candidates for the presidency. First of all, this is the election bloc “People's Movement of Kyrgyzstan”. In July 2004, he united six opposition parties, which nominated K. Bakiyev, the former prime minister, as the only candidate for the post. I think that he is the most acceptable candidate in terms of the fruitful development of relations between the United States and Kyrgyzstan. I met with Bakiyev several times and assured him of the support of the American president and government. Bakiyev expressed his agreement to take advantage of the support after the victory of his bloc in the parliamentary elections...

...We also successfully continue to develop contacts with another opposition leader - R. Otunbayeva, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Through funds allocated to her, we created a system of lobbying for the establishment and support of certain NGOs, as well as the organization of a unified mass media system for better coverage throughout the country of her statement about Russian non-interference in the internal affairs of Kyrgyzstan.

In order to ensure equal conditions and help the leaders of the democratic opposition come to power, our main task for the pre-election period is to cause disrespect for the authorities and for the incompetent corrupt regime of Akaev, his pro-Russian orientation and the illegal use of “administrative resources” in the elections. In this regard, the Democratic Commission at the Embassy, ​​the Soros Foundation, the Eurasia Foundation in Bishkek, in cooperation with USAID, organized politically active groups of voters to inspire them to riot against pro-presidential candidates."

Who is afraid of Akaev?

This year he was unable to fly home to his brother’s funeral: security was not guaranteed in Kyrgyzstan, where he had not been for almost ten years. Some people continue to fear Akaev, who gave up power without firing a shot. Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who replaced him, was overthrown by a new revolutionary wave (98 people were shot dead in the central square in Bishkek alone, hundreds and hundreds died in the south), and now he has found refuge in Belarus. Political scientists in modern Kyrgyzstan, already during the time of President Almazbek Atambayev, are beginning to say out loud what the true cause and price of all the Kyrgyz upheavals are.

It seemed that the events of February-March 2005 happened unexpectedly. The opposition, dissatisfied with the results of the parliamentary elections, raised people in rallies, which ultimately ended in robberies, looting and the seizure of power. The President was forced to urgently leave the country.

The Akaevs are Kyrgyz residents of St. Petersburg. Both came to study in Leningrad target direction. In the uncompromising Soviet era, they defended their dissertations: he - a doctorate, she - a candidate's, and gave birth to two children. When it became clear that there were no prospects for housing in St. Petersburg, we returned to Bishkek, which was then called Frunze. Akaev will soon head the Academy of Sciences of the republic and will be elected as a delegate to the perestroika Council of People's Deputies of the USSR. There, in Moscow, his friends will find him and, together with Chingiz Aitmatov, they will persuade him to urgently fly to Bishkek and take part in the elections of the head of the republic. So unexpectedly, in 1990, Akaev was elected on an alternative basis and led Kyrgyzstan.

15 years later, Chingiz Torekulovich will note: “Akaev’s softness has become a lever in the hands of the opposition.” And his neighbors in Central Asia still hold power in their hands: Nazarbayev in Kazakhstan, Karimov in Uzbekistan, Rakhmon in Tajikistan...

"My last order is not to shoot"

Here are excerpts from the very first interview with RG, when the whole world was at a loss as to where Akaev, who had fled the country, was:

How do you assess the events of the last week in Kyrgyzstan?

Askar Akayev: This is an unconstitutional seizure of power using street riots and a violent storming of the Government House.

What really happened on that tragic day?

Askar Akayev: On March 24, the united opposition, dominated by radicals, scheduled a protest rally in the main square of Bishkek. All this time we were negotiating with the opposition and hoped that the rally would take place without incident.

However, before the rally began, the opposition gave the command to storm the Government House. Moreover, approximately 10 thousand people were involved. Several thousand of them are trained militants brought from other regions of the country. Then they were joined by more criminal elements released from prison. The police and national guard who guarded the Government House did not use weapons, but they were severely beaten.

When the seizure of the Government House began, I gave the last order to the Minister of Internal Affairs: under no circumstances to use weapons. I believed and still believe that even a drop of blood shed, even one sacrifice, is not worth maintaining personal power.

In those hours, you made the most difficult, it seems to me, decision in your life to leave Bishkek.

Askar Akayev: Yes, I had no preliminary plans to leave the country. Although in previous days the intelligence services reported that the leaders of the radical opposition decided to remove the president from the political scene and simply physically deal with the president and his family. On March 24, I witnessed with my own eyes the beginning of the assault, when this entire crowd beat and humiliated the police, the national guards, and my employees. At the same time, I received information from neutral people who were in touch with the opposition that intentions regarding physical elimination were serious. "You must leave the country. Otherwise, if you fall into their hands, you will not survive."

Many people now say that democracy and Asia are incompatible. You built the first democratic state, your neighbors built authoritarian regimes, and in the end democracy punished you.

Askar Akayev: I believe that everything that happened is the result of speeding up democratic processes, which some people pushed for international organizations who wanted to speed up democratization through revolutionary means. And what happened, I consider the costs of these new technologies to speed up democratic processes, which are being undertaken by the international revolutionary international. In our conditions, as you can see, they ended in a terrible nightmare, pogroms, robberies...

The Collective Security Treaty Organization, they say, yesterday offered you its help to resolve the situation. Didn't you take advantage of their help?

Askar Akayev: Of course not. Since this is still an internal, internal political problem, and there was no threat from the outside, I therefore believed that it would be inappropriate to involve the Collective Security Treaty Organization in this issue. (RG, March 30, 2005)

The price of revolution

What happened next is well known. The number of migrants has tripled compared to Akaev’s times. Almost a million people left their homeland. Today, migrants' remittances account for a third of the republic's GDP - more than one and a half billion US dollars. The lowest inflation in the region jumped to 25 percent and has only now come to its senses. The republic simply will not survive a third revolution.

What remained from Akaev was the high-mountainous Bishkek-Osh highway, the reconstructed Manas and Osh airports, the first international satellite telecommunications system in Central Asia, which made it possible to switch to digital communication systems...

Alas, over the last decade not a single major project has been implemented.

Akaev sincerely wanted to turn Kyrgyzstan into a common home for people of different nationalities. He gave his people the history of the thousand-year-old Manas and a sense of self-worth. At the same time, the Russian language was legalized on an equal basis with the official Kyrgyz language.

And in my memory from Kyrgyzstan I will forever remember a three-day trip with Chingiz Aitmatov to the high-mountain village of Sheker, where he was born. There were national celebrations dedicated to the anniversary of the classic. The President of Kyrgyzstan, Academician Akaev, then gave a brilliant 20-minute speech, first in Russian and then in Kyrgyz. The main thing for him in the work of an internationally recognized fellow countryman is that humanity must move from a culture of war to a culture of peace.

The most difficult road of all time.

TV announcement

On October 23, 2003, Presidents of Russia Vladimir Putin and Kyrgyzstan Askar Akaev officially opened the Russian air base in Kant. Photo: press service of the President of Russia

On November 10 at 18:15, the "Culture" TV channel will show a film about the famous physicist and mathematician, foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Askar Akayev - "Seer without mysticism. Askar Akayev." Many famous scientists talk about him, including the rector of Moscow State University Viktor Sadovnichy: in the first days of the “Tulip Revolution” he instantly called the overthrown president of Kyrgyzstan and invited him to the university, to his department, to the Institute for Mathematical Research of Complex Systems, which he heads.

“I visited Kyrgyzstan on university business. I always met with Askar Akayevich, regardless of the post he held (president of the Academy of Sciences or president of the country. - Ed.). More than once we discussed chaos, Prigogine’s themes, and nonlinear dynamic systems until late at night.”

Popular science film. Akaev tells how a hologram stores memory: tear a photograph in half, you will never restore the whole from one part. And in a hologram, say the Monomakh caps, only one point can restore the entire volume. And its weight is 698 grams?...

There is no politics in the film. Just a quick question: the mathematician Akaev now models and predicts crises in the world economy, but why was he powerless in the face of the crisis in his own country? “Yes, I didn’t succeed. But new people came, they have to do it, taking into account our mistakes.”

That's all. Exceptional story. The scientist rose to power, and now continues to produce scientific works, gives lectures, teaches graduate students. Not every ex-president has the strength and talent to do this. Life after the revolution, after resignation, did not end. With one "but". Continues in Russia - in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

From the editor

"Rossiyskaya Gazeta" congratulates Askar Akayevich on his anniversary! Let us add: the first representative office of RG in Central Asia, in Bishkek, was opened with the assistance of the first president of Kyrgyzstan.

Letter

Dear Askar Akayevich!

I cordially congratulate you on your meaningful anniversary! Congratulations on this bright event to my dear Mairam, Bermet, Aidar, Sadat, Ilim, grandchildren and granddaughters, all those who love and appreciate you as a wonderful person and a great scientist. If poetry is an attempt at a conversation between a person and God, then physics is a meaningful communication between a person and the Creator. You are the brightest poet-physicist and physicist-poet!

Life is given once, and how to live this short divine miracle is left to the person himself.

You have lived your seven decades (I pray that you will live as long!) creatively bright, humanly meaningful, beautiful, poetic.

Tajiks say: “Lightning strikes tall trees first!” If the lightning of fate has struck you mercilessly, then it is better to be a tall tree on the top of the mountains than a bush on the edge of a dusty road!

Dear Askar Akayevich!

It’s rightly said, memory is stronger than time! The Tajik people will never forget the help, sympathy and experience of the Kyrgyz people, your desire to bring peace to the Tajik House. Grateful Tajiks will always remember your brotherly, heartfelt sympathy and invaluable help in the days of our national tragedy - the fratricidal war!

And for me and my family, you and Mairam did what my parents, who died early, could not have done. God knows, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here today.

Kyrgyzstan has become dear to me and my family forever, and for many Tajik refugees a second homeland:

Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Manas Zheri, Manasistan.
“You are my unsung song!” -
My tumarym, my talisman!
Generous land,
My poem is my dastan,
Magnificent country
My great Kyrgyzstan!..

Dear Askar Akayevich!

Once again, please accept my most sincere congratulations!