Russia wants to be the controlling "brother" in Central Asia. Moscow sincerely believes, as President Dmitry Medvedev has said, "Russia has historically been the guarantor of security for the peoples of the Caucasus." My sincere sympathy for the new president of Russia notwithstanding, this patronizing attitude stems from the traditional Russian habit of dividing the world into "ours" and "theirs" -- without considering the historical or economic interests of the nations involved and placing them in a subservient position. It is never economically feasible to have permanent enemies and permanent friends, no matter who they are.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine are in essentially the same position as Georgia. Also here, citizens recently endured the provocation of introducing dual citizenship with Russia, which was advocated on the basis of positive advantages, but which clearly would have been a loss of independence. Especially in the Kyrgyz parliament, but also throughout the entire government, many people do not understand the concept of liberty. Their brains are suffused with Soviet and Russian propaganda. As long as such people are in power, Kyrgyzstan will remain on its knees and underdeveloped.

A study of anti-Westernism in Kyrgyzstan and has shown that there are newspapers and publicists in former Soviet regions that are pushing Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan along the same path Georgia followed. One Russian-language newspapers in Bishkek contain strong propaganda along the lines of Moscow's tune. The problem with this propaganda is that it fosters not only hatred in the Kyrgyz toward the West - particularly the United States - but also fosters mistrust of the historical neighbors of the Kyrgyz people. The logical conclusion of such propaganda is the development of a unipolar worldview and, ultimately, a loss of sovereignty.

Some observers are arguing that Kyrgyzstan must make a choice -- either Russia or the West. (There is also a pro-Islam movement.) Pro-Russian voices are heard particularly loudly here, voices that could someday be used by external forces against the interests of the nation.Some Central Asian leaders understand this and are having a very difficult time choosing a position ­- in fact, they are accused of not taking a position at all.

However, neutrality is also a position - indeed, one of the strongest. Although it is a very difficult one, I think that Kyrgyzstan should adopt this position. Many citizens who favor one side or the other will not be satisfied with neutrality. But it is a question of morality more than politics.

Personally, I think that there are many thinking people in Russia who do not support the skinheads and the ideology of chauvinism. Until those people manage to transform our historical neighbor's attitude toward the world, all we can do is pray for Russia, all the while not neglecting the hand of friendship that has been extended by the democratic countries of the outside world.

Professor Askarbek Mambetaliev is the director of the department of International Education at Arabaev Kyrgyz State University and a visiting scholar at New York University. His academic interests include International Education Policy and Antiwesternism in Kyrgyzstan.

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