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1 November 2011
‘Roses for Roza’ campaign thanks outgoing Kyrgyz president
BISHKEK – Grateful Kyrgyz in Bishkek began bringing one rose each to form the Russian word "spasibo" (thank you) in front of the White House November 1, as President Roza Otunbayeva prepares to leave office.
The idea came spontaneously during discussions on social media, Sergei Makarov, the campaign’s organiser and an internet activist, told Central Asia Online.
“Truth be told, we didn’t really plan anything special,” he said. “This is a ‘flash mob’; during the day, anybody who wants can bring a single rose or a bouquet to the White House.”
Otunbayeva is the first Kyrgyz president to leave office peacefully, Makarov said.
“She didn’t bring her relatives into political life, and she saved the government money, which was especially visible on her trips abroad,” he said. “She talked openly about important, acute problems, such as torture in prison and inter-ethnic problems in (Kyrgyzstan). All this led to gratitude.”
Otunbayeva has been president since June 2010. Kyrgyzstan’s two preceding presidents, Askar Akayev and Kurmanbek Bakiyev, were forced to flee the country before finishing their terms. Journalist Ilya Lukashev participated in the mass show of gratitude.
“For me, it was very significant that Otunbayeva endured the colossal pressure of the transitional period,” he said. “That deserves respect. And you can’t overlook that Kyrgyzstan is experiencing its first legitimate transfer of power now.”
Facebook user Ainura Chekirova said she brought flowers to show gratitude “for the stability and calm that Roza Isaakovna (Otunbayeva) succeeded in preserving. I want to express my wish that she continues her constructive path in the future.”
Activist Dinara Orobayeva said she hopes “the next president will continue the traditions that Otunbayeva started and that the country will continue to develop.”
Ainura Tugunbayeva, KNews information agency’s editor-in-chief, brought a rose because “Otunbayeva is the first woman president in the history of Kyrgyzstan and the other Central Asian countries.”
Retiree Ryskul Aksariyeva also brought flowers.
“I couldn’t stand aside,” she said. “Thank you very much to Roza Isaakovna for the entire year she served. How many homes were built during this time? If all presidents in this country had been like her, we wouldn’t know grief.”
More than 280 people brought flowers.
“I was deeply touched by this show of gratitude toward me as president,” Otunbayeva said in a statement. “Two days ago, in peaceful conditions, with all international democratic norms observed, presidential elections took place. The people made their choice and voted for the most deserving candidate. These elections marked the end of the transitional period. I am certain that a worthy future awaits us, our Kyrgyzstan.”
