Images From Bishkek

April 10th- (Above) Mourners gather in front of the White House laying tribute to the 76 killed

With the central square filled with mourners, Friday and Saturday have been declared official days of mourning in Bishkek. Rings of flowers encirle the final resting locations of the 76 protesters killed by the violence on Wednesday. The opposition, with interim leader Rosa Otunbayeva, are claiming complete control. However, many questions remain with the former president Kurmanbek Bakiev stating he is unwilling to abandon his duties and he remains in the southern part of the country. He lays blames for the deaths on the opposition, however sources have indicated it was the president's brother and sons who issued the orders for violence. Bakiev's family was highly intertwined with the corrupt government. For many locals, it sounds as if a majority of looting that occurred following the revolution was targeted at businesses owned by or affiliated with Bakiev's family. For now the banking system remains frozen as it is believed the president transferred a majority of the country's funds elsewhere. Only a mere $21 million dollars remain in governement accounts. As we spoke with people at the ongoing funerals in front of the White House the mood was somber but anger still lingered at the former president. However, people seem optimistic about the future.

It is unclear how the new leadership will be able to meet the concerns that brought about this conflict to begin with. The recent spikes in electricity rates and widespread corruption throughout the government seem difficult to confront with a meager bank balance and destroyed infrastructure. This is also the second revolt in recent Kyrgyz history. The 2005 Tulip Revolution that put now ousted president Bakiev in power was a people's revolution centered on the same issue of an increasingly corrupt government. Bakiev's administration proved to be even more authoritarian and continued to promote widespread corruption. In asking locals how they know the new government will not continue in the same direction, one kyrgyz woman noted that revolutions might be part of Kyrgyzstan's future until "the government got it right".

April 10th - (Above left) Kyrgyz women describe hope for Kyrgyzstan's future under the new leadership (Above Right) Flowers circle the resting spot of a killed protester

The U.S. Embassy remains closed and the Manas transit center, the U.S. Airbase outside Bishkek, has yet to resume normal operations. Looting has mostly ceased as groups of citizen militia have taken to the streets at night and the military has joined forces with the new leadership. Slowly but surely, daily life is resuming with many small stores opening during the daytime and schools and businesses planning to be open on Monday. For now with banking shut down and rural travel still limited, we continue to sit in limbo in Bishkek waiting for a more clear picture on the security situation.