Opposition parties and NGOs have been extremely active during recent Years in their criticism of Kyrgyzstan's President Akayev and his regime.
Many opposition leaders claim that their actions and mobilizing power were crucial for bringing about Kyrgyzstan's Yellow Revolution. Many experts in the Western world argue that it was aid from the United States and other Western countries that played the critical role in democratization process in Kyrgyzstan and ultimately led to these radical changes.
A distinguished panel of experts from Kyrgyzstan and the US will discuss the role of opposition groups, the NGO sector and international organizations in promoting democratic change in Kyrgyzstan and in facilitating the Revolution.

Moderator: Rafis Abazov, author of 'Historical Dictionary of Kyrgyzstan' and adjunct lecturer at the Harriman Institute.

Time: 6.00 p.m. April 5, 2005
Room 1219, SIPA, Columbia University 420 west, 118th street, New York, 10027