In Kyrgyzstan, international monitors are accusing President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of massive fraud in national elections. Partial results show Bakiyev ahead with 85 percent of the vote. But monitors with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe say the vote has been marred by several irregularities. As voting began, two main opposition candidates dropped out of the race in protest. One of the candidates, Jenishbek Nazaraliev, said the vote was a “fake.”

Jenishbek Nazaraliev: “If you ask any Kyrgyz citizen or people from nearby countries, those who are able to think, they can clearly understand that these elections are being held for the sake of holding elections. They are fake and being conducted just for Bakiyev.”

The Obama administration has been largely silent on alleged fraud and other abuses in Kyrgyzstan since the Kyrgyz government reversed the closure of a US military base last month. The base has been vital to the US occupation of Afghanistan.