17th high-flying: from wireman to Premier

Daniyar Usenov – a well-known figure in Kyrgyzstan. But for what?

The ointment…

When Daniyar Usenov was a Member of Parliament, journalists loved to write about him as of a charismatic, open politician with a good sense of humor. He has always eagerly communicated with the press, unlike his colleagues hiding in shades of long parliament aisles.

If than, years ago, you were to tell Usenov that he would become a prime minister one day he would happily believe it. He never hid his political ambitions.

Yesterday, on October 20, 2009 the star of Daniyar Toktogulovich has finally risen. Usenov, on the eve of the life-changing for the whole country day, did not care to hide happiness about failure of the presidential secretariat. The confrontation lasted for months and if to believe the White House talks, it was Usenov who was dying of jealousy. But it is all history now…

The true reasons of Igor Chudinov’s step-down remain secret, prompting a wave of rumors and talks.

In his right senses Usenov should understand how rough the times are for taking up the control. It is not an easy thing to live and especially to rule in the times of big change. The government, Usenov is getting ready to head, has significantly lost weight and requires - according to the president - urgent reforming. Today the ex-leader of the presidential office was given a chance to show his paces.

Biography of the newly-fledged premier testifies his strive for power since his young years. He has served his term in the Soviet Army as a wireman, in 1982 became a chief of the №73 radio unit of the Ural command and in 2009 took up the prime minister’s chair. What a dash?

The fly…

For some Usenov was just a guy next door, the others knew him for his tough and explosive temper. His fight at the airport with a director of an air-company with long court trials afterwards will forever stay in people’s memories.

During the first Kyrgyz President, Askar Akaev’s rule the lawmaker Usenov has gone through the rough times, loosing all his mansions and cadillacs, going through a hundred of trials and even spending several hours in prison. Akaev pushed Usenov out of the country, after what the latter found support in Kazakhstan.

After political turnover of March 2005, Usenov came back to Kyrgyzstan full of energy and new ideas. However, one can hardly name at least one of his accomplishments? Instead we remember his empty promises and intentions to return the millions stolen by the former president and his family, “happy lottery”, noise around the INEXIMBANK and many more, which seems to be nothing but a storm in a teacup. This is the luggage the new premier carries with him to the White House. Prime minister in any country is an iconic figure, or at least a figure of notable authority. Does Usenov have this authority? He does not - without a single dissenting vote! Now the fresh-baked, 17th prime minister of Kyrgyzstan holds all the cards to show if his words are just a lip-work, or not. Unfortunately, his former records are not that impressing…