Kyrgyzstan has inherited from the former Soviet Union a mass of moot and nagging border problems, which at certain moments are ready to boil over into serious international conflicts. At the same time, the motherland’s borders are the subject of political discussions and negotiations in the country as well, and there are plenty of volunteers who wish to use this problem in their own way. And what do the experts who directly work on border say about this? We discuss this issue with Salamat Alamanov, head of the intergovernmental commission on border issues with China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

"We have not completed border delimitation with the neighbouring states in the south, not to mention demarcation, while we have demarcated the state border with China, that is we have marked [borders] in the field. As for the demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, for instance, the problem relates to the difficult history of its formation. Over the years of existing together in the former USSR, both sides did not pay serious attention to border issues. Party functionaries change the borderline for the sake of temporary economic interests. At the same time, many border changes were not documented appropriately. The approach was let the matters take their course. Thus Uzbek enclaves appeared in Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyz and Tajik enclaves in Uzbekistan. This kind of "legacy" was left to us by the former party leadership of the country, who at its time did not stand their ground and were not consistent while defending native Kyrgyz lands.", Alamanov said

Moreover, the previous purely administrative border with Uzbekistan is so twisty and cunningly interlaced that in many places it passes through settlements, on both sides of streets and even crosses vegetable gardens. Here an exceptional diplomacy and an utmost tact are required in order not to cause a conflict situation and not to lead the resolution of the problem into a dead end.

"Over the whole period of your work in the "border" commission, you have been mostly criticized and scolded by both own people and those on the other side. Nevertheless, you are still remaining in your post." Cherikov said.

"This is a good question. Own people are mainly the former deputies of the previous Akayev’s parliament. This is Beknazarov and his associates from the opposition, who often blamed me for the border with Uzbekistan being in no way demarcated and issues were not being resolved, while I am personally interested in this, and the Kyrgyz delegation is allegedly not standing its ground and not determined in defending the country’s interests. Excuse me, but only a dilettante or a person who does not know the specifics of the issue, and who does not understand how difficult the talks on state borders can be, may speak this way." Almanov added.

When I hold talks with Uzbek or Tajik colleagues, the work is carried out on the intellectual level: each side puts forwards its argument and tries to support it with documents. We together discuss the issues related almost to each metre of the border, scrupulously explain everything and in general find a common language. Difficulties and disagreements arise when the Uzbek side shows the documents dated 1924-27, and we show the documents of 1955. However, this is not all. When the commission members from both sides arrive at the scene of the dispute, it turns out that someone’s house with a vegetable garden or a road is located there, or this area has a different name, not the one indicated in documents of 1920s and 1950s.

"There are rumours that you have allegedly commercialized the resolution of issues related to the disputable sections of the state border." Cherikov said.

"Despite all difficulties of resolving border problems, we have established stable and friendly relations with our colleagues from the other side of the border. Because we understand that we are doing a common and very hard job. It is interesting that the same previous opponents of mine, having joined the government, currently treat me with the same "jealousy" as they used to do in their opposition past. Regarding the commercialization, generally I have got used to this kind of rumours and gossips. I will tell only one thing: one of the authors of such cheap "canards" have stooped to publicly accusing me in the media of receiving a large bribe from the Uzbek side, namely three limousines, in exchange for my flexibility in [resolving the issues related to] the disputed sections of the border. It is pure nonsense. I wanted to sue, but decided not want to waste my time." Alamanov said.

There have not been and will not be any serious disagreements and conflicts over the border issues at the level of the top leadership of the neighbouring countries. Controversies are spreading mainly due to misunderstanding and personal ambitions of the leaders of local regions or districts. Thus, the resolution of border issues in the south is not the matter of a day and even a year.