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Name: Beshimov, Bakyt
Current Position: Ambassador
On April 9, 2010, following the overthrow of the Bakiyev government, Bakyt Beshimov replaced Zamira Sydykova as Kyrgyz ambassador to the US. According to the Central Asia Newswire, Beshimov had been in the United States since having left Kyrgyzstan for fear for his life in September 2009. Beshimov was a former opposition leader of the parliamentary faction of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan.
Beshimov was born into a family of teachers. His father was a professor at a university of which Beshimov would later become president. He graduated with a PhD in History from the Kyrgyz State National University in 1977. In 1991, he became the youngest president of Osh State University, and served until he ws fired in 1998. Beshimov later served as ambassador to India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. He also became chairman of the Kyrgyz National Party and co-chairman of the Kyrgyz Union of Democratic Forces. From 2006 to 2008, he served as vice president for academic affairs of American University
Beshimov was elected to be an opposition member of parliament was campaign manager for the opposition against Kurmanbek Bakiyev during the 2009 presidential elections.
Beshimov was a firm believer of the Tulip Revolution that ousted dictatorial Askar Akayev. As Bakiyev, too, became increasingly authoritative, Beshimov became a prominent opposition leader.