Aigul MYRZATAI
ALMATY, Feb 24
(THE GLOBE)
He was called Askar, i.e. “the top” – the top intellect, mind and spiritual perfection. He justified his parents’ hope, who were ordinary collective farmers from the village of Kyzyl Bairak. His parents never made him become a member of the SPCU or enter a second-grade institute, as the party wished. Akaev successfully finished the school (with the golden medal) and entered one of the most recognized institutes in the country – the Leningrad Institute of Explicit Mechanics and Optics.
The newly born Kyrgyzstan, unlike other republics that were able just to repudiate the official regime, but not commonly accepted consciousness, decided to change everything, including the country’s leader. Akaev was delivered from rainy Leningrad to Bishkek.
The strategic renewal happened within a short period according to the accurately though rational plan: “If he could make recognized professors talk of him, he will be able to make the whole world talk of the small country with wonderful name Kyrgyzstan.”
On October 27, 1990 at the extraordinary session the Kyrgyz Parliament elected Askar Akaev the President of the country.
Everything started since that time…
At first the suite surrounding the President was watching him, estimating his actions. Then, gradually attracting his attention, they mildly, without any “scenes” began to adjust him to their system.
Bashful and shy Akaev who was hardly seen behind stately and manly leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, etc. appeared in European suit with the national headwear…
Then there was a scandal regarding a Bishkek children’s house broadcast by all Russian TV channels. Children there lived worse that in the fascist camp. Instead of grass they were ready to eat everything they saw. And Akaev’s wife, the Professor of Technical Sciences was the chairman of the children’s fund Merim…
A bit later, after Aidar Akaev married Alia Nazarbaeva, Komsomolskaya Pravda published the caricature by the Russian artist Balabas. Below there was a note: “I married the Kyrgyz by my father’s caprice. This was a practical and even political assumption.” We will not speak to political scientists. Maybe, this was love? Or geopolitics that was approved by Akaev’s subordinates for sure…?
The last thing that I wished to say is the staff changes in the high ranks that happened in the end of the last year in Bishkek. We remind you that Misir Ashirkulov, the Minister of National Security was replaced by Tashtemir Aitbaev. Misir Ashirkulov represented the Kyrgyz intelligentsia. Of course, he was a stranger for the regime. He came to power from science. Misir and Akaev were colleagues for a long time. In the Polytechnic Institute, where Akaev once worked, Misir was his assistant. Biography of the new head of the Security Service Aitbaev have crossed this department. During the Soviet time he was the first deputy the KNB chairman of Kyrgyzstan. Before he headed the Komsomol of the republic. That secretary of the Central Committee of Kyrgyzstan Turdakun Usubaliev obviously prepared the talented young man, who was his close relative to occupy high posts. However, during the perestroyka, Aitbaev was disfavored along with his protector. Now he again raised. By the way, his appointment coincided the 80th anniversary of Turdakun Usubaliev that was widely celebrated. Askar Akaev titled the former party leader who recently was considered almost the evil, or at least symbolized the totalitarian system, the hero of the republic. Akaev thanked him for “his contribution to Kyrgyzstan”s independence.”
Askar Akaev started his way to big policy with serious criticism of “the dictatorship and its leaders.” This change to the political orientation made some experts conclude that Akaev seeks a political support by leaders of regional clans. Turdakun Usubaliev who still affects former party functionaries, ministers and producers is one of these leaders.
Communists got most votes. This proves, first, that the President did not justify trust by the Kyrgyzstan people. The population wants to return to the old time. They want to receive salary timely. They want to have enough food…
Second, Akaev has created true democracy. He did not press people. He have them a choice…
Third, Akaev is a man from science. He knows it perfectly well. Maybe, he is not a perfect politician, but he remains honest with his people. The presidential election will show, whether Akaev is reelected or not. Anyhow, he is not eager to keep his power, as he knows that not everyone is clever enough. Having such a head he will be honored everywhere. He will be well-to-do even when he becomes old. Hence, he will not avoid people and awaken in the night…
By Wayne E. BEAUREGARD
Almaty, Feb 23 (THE GLOBE)
There’s who believe diplomats’ life is sort of golden one. To some extents it may be considered so, if we are looking at privileges, but under a different standpoint it’s indeed true the contrary, as the recent kidnapping of 4 Japanese geologists has proved on the shoulders of those career diplomats serving at Almay’s Embassy of Japan, in charge as well for Kyrgyzstan, where the outrage happened. Strain and pains have been going on day and night for almost two months at the “Park Palace” where the mission is securely hosted.
However, those unconvinced by evidence of the huge responsabilities placed upon diplomats’ shoulders insist that “at least their wives are conducting a no-problem life, sometimes sumptuous, at taxpayers’ expenses”!
Well, anybody is entitled to an opinion, as arguable it may be, that’s the privilege of democracy, but when it comes to fairness, then, that’s another story.
In Almaty, a city that as improved as it may have grown to be in recent years, certainly cannot be compared to London, NYC, Tokyo, Rome or Paris, for instance, diplomats’ wives or women diplomats do not have all those frills around to conduct such a mythicized easy life! On the contrary, as part of their role they blend with the former capital social life in a quest of narrowing the gap between the hosting civilization and those heralded by their own countries.
Among all those activities that can be fuelled to reach such a noble purpose there’s, no question about, that of helping the needy, the sick at the weak ones of this 1,200,000-people city.
Among those charming “ambassadresses of mutual understanding” who are interpreting their role much beyond the simple call of duty, there’s Mrs. Sana Mosly, wife of the ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Ibrahim Mohammad Mosly.
Posted in the then capital in May 1997, following her husband, the Ambassador to Kazakstan, Sana Mosly has immediately become a member of the “Diplomats’ Club in the Republic of Kazakstan” and has, as well, joined the “Almaty International Women’s Club”, two of the most prestigeous expatriates’ and diplomatic associations in the city.
It hasn’t taken long to Sana Mosly to realize that Almaty’s weaker side was that related to the support of those fringes of population left aside by a tight budget and chronic absence of much needed funds. Backed up by a concerned husband, Mrs. Mosly has busied herself in finding ways to raise money to be used for charity purposes, so her entry into the two above mentioned organizations couldn’t be smoother or more welcomed.
Fluent in English and French, Madam Sana has established friendly and fruitful relationships with other diplomats’ wives sharing the very same interest for the less fortunate. Together, a group of such enterprising ladies has started sponsoring the city Orphanage # 2 and its Baby Orphanage # 2, raising money for whatever purpose linked to the everyday activities of those establishments. It’s no secret that without expatriates’ and diplomats’ help many of those communities would face even harder situations, not to talk of their gloomy future.
Mrs. Mosly’s creativity and inventiveness has shown up on November ’97 when participating at that year’s Charity Holiday Bazaar, held in the Ball Room of the Ankara Hotel, she was in charge of the “cake stall”, a premiere that she managed to operate (cakes and cookies cooked by members of the Diplomats’ and Almaty International Women’s Clubs) getting money from expats buyers and to be used on those supporting activities. Eventually her successful “cake stall” idea was used again in further charity gatherings, turning out as one of the most prolific money raising venues.
Mrs. Mosly’s dynamism has gained her the chairmanship of the Diplomats’ Club so that two years after her arrival in Kazakstan, she became chairman of the club in May last year. In her new position Madam Sana tried first to reduce the expenses to be taken care by the club for its own sustainance and presence, so the able lady obtained better fares from the Ankara Hotel where the club regularly convenes. That way, whatever saved could have been diverted into needier destinations such as the sponsored orphanages and the Association of Single Mothers, so much so as to urge the directors of those establishments to express their gratitude to the Charity Committee of the Diplomats’ Club.
The club, of course, doesn’t deliver any money, but with the money it gathers it purchases whatever the sponsored organizations may be in need of: shoes, TV set, food, school items, you name it.
Mr. and Mrs. Mosly also opened the gates of their residence to host a Charity Picnic in the garden, able to gather some $ 1,700 that found ways to be properly spent. The occasion served also the purpose of letting members of the expatriates community meet with locals so to get better acquainted one another.
Another boosting reception has been that organized at the British ambassador’s residence on November 19th last, when the Club annual Charity Dinner has generated some 7,000 much needed American dollars to be used to ease the ongoing activity of the two orphanages. In that occasion Mrs. Sylviane Lewington, the British ambassador’s wife, energetically team worked with Mrs. Mosly and the other members of the Charity Committee Mrs. Dina El-Kouni, Mrs. Livia Piaggesi and Luba Tarshahani respectively wives of the Egyptian, the Italian and the Palestinian ambassadors.
Madam Mosly has also been actively engaged, last November, with the Gourmet Group that convened in her residence on the 16th, while on the 28th cakes due to the Almaty International Women’s Club annual “charity” Bazaar have been delivered in her 139, Gornaya St. house, pending bidders’ take-aways. For the last Holiday Bazaar, AIWC and the Diplomats’ Club joined forces so to become the biggest fund raiser of the year. As much as $ 7,000 have been collected and already allocated to Red Cross and Red Crescent for humanitarian purposes.
To plan its activity and raise extra funds the Diplomats’ Club convenes twice a month at the Ankara Hotel, besides hosting some tea meetings or welcome coffee meetings, on an occasional basis, on the residences of diplomats’ wives. An activity that the incoming expiration of Madam Sana’s assignment as chairman of the club, at the end of this month, may be jeopardized if the club doesn’t find another determined, volunteering and caring lady, although benefitting of “another” Sana Mosly will be kind of hard!
The get-together activity is Mrs. Mosly’s second important target. As daughter and wife of career diplomats she has lived in many countries worldwide, and she’s fully convinced that people can understand each other only if they mix together, by sharing experiences and committments. Only by trying to get into someone else’s clothes one can understand the way the other thinks and acts. To achieve such goal Madam Sana uses some of her skills such as her ability in bridge playing and her fondness with the culinary art. Every week, in fact, there are two bridge sessions somewhere, that give the opportunity to the players, not always the same, to chat, reflex, comment and exchange ideas and points of view.
“The culinary art deeply roots into every country tradition – says Mrs. Mosly – so it’s interesting to discover how many historic, folkloristic, traditional details are connected with ingredients to be poured into a certain dish”.
To get those “secrets” Madam Sana welcomes monthly a delicious recipe from around the world on the newsletter “Dip’s note Karlygash” issued by Sana for the Diplomats’ Club. Collecting such recipes it means getting together with someone who, step by step, opens up to a new friendship, a new experience. “And – as Mrs. Mosly points out – what’s life if not an exciting, continuous experience?”.
Through all these activities and hard work Sana was very successful in presenting such a unique and bright picture of a great country she and the ambassador represent, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its culture, heritage, tradition and above all true Islam. A noble portrait of the Saudi Arabian women.
All Over the Globe is published by IPA House.
© 1998 IPA House. All Rights Reserved.