Latest political joke doing the rounds in Bishkek: As part of Russia's aid package to Kyrgyzstan's provisional government, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sends a box to interim Kyrgyz leader Roza Otunbayeva. "To: Roza Isakovna. From: Vladimir Vladimirovich." Otunbayeva opens the box and, to her surprise, finds a bicycle inside. But there are no handlebars. She calls up Putin and asks where the handlebars are. He says the instructions are in the box, "You peddle and I'll steer."
David Trilling is Eurasianet’s managing editor.
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