"In trying to find out what is at the root of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek animosity, it appears that it primarily stems from a dispute over livestock grazing rights which has escalated."

This simplistic statement appears to ignore the political situation within Kyrgyzstan itself

In April it was reported that 'Thousands have taken to the streets as violent revolts against the Bakiyev regime swept the nation.

The violence follows rising tensions between Mr Bakiyev and opponents who accuse him of stifling independent media and of fostering a culture of corruption'

CNN reported that
'The unrest in Kyrgyzstan could complicate U.S. efforts in Afghanistan, according to some reports'

"The instability highlights both Kyrgyzstan's vital role for the U.S. war in Afghanistan and the compromises both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have made to deal with an increasingly unsavory regime," wrote Dan Murphy of the Christian Science Monitor

Deirdre Tynan and Kadyr Toktogulov of the Wall Street Journal commented
"The U.S. military base outside the Kyrgyz capital is vital to the expanding American war effort in Afghanistan.
Most of the U.S. troops deploying to Afghanistan first pass through Manas, which also handles the majority of the American fuel, food and ammunition shipments to the war zone."


Clifford Levy of the New York Times said:
"The upheaval raised questions about the future of an important American air base that operates in Kyrgyzstan in support of the NATO mission in nearby Afghanistan. American officials said that as of Wednesday evening the base was functioning normally.

"It also posed a potential embarrassment for the Obama administration, which angered the Kyrgyz opposition last summer by courting Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev in an ultimately successful attempt to reverse his decision to close the base"


The south of the ex-Soviet republic used to be the stronghold of the deposed president who fled to Belarus after he was toppled in political upheaval last month in which at least 85 people were killed

In disturbances last month Reuters reported that
'A top official in Kyrgyzstan's interim government said on Friday that ousted leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev was behind the seizure of government buildings by crowds in the south.' in a coup attempt

Interim authorities accuse his supporters of trying to foment unrest to undermine their control and derail the upcoming referendum and parliamentary election.