LIFE ADDICT…

First of its kind ! iReport music video

Music: Johnny Colt & Asphalt Blaster
Song: Brand New God

Shot while embedded with Spetznaz special forces on July 3rd, 2010, in the city of Osh, Kyrgyzstan.

After being moved to action by the situation in Kyrgyzstan, I found myself in love with the country and its people. The heartbreak and devastation were overwhelming, but many heroes are rising to fill the vacuum left by the conflict.

Do not try this at home unless you’re an iReporter

iReport —
In this episode of LIFE ADDICT…

JULY 2nd 2010: the city of Osh, Kyrgyzstan is a tea kettle boiling with ethnic tension. With very little press in country, a dynamic story of struggle is unfolding without many witnesses.

As the sun sets, I climb aboard a troop carrier with two large machine guns mounted on top and a bellyful of Spetsnaz special forces soldiers. I am embedded with this military unit that I am not allowed to name and heading out on patrol. As night falls over the turbulent city, Osh goes dark under the mandated citywide curfew. There are no lights on in any part of the city and the only car on the road is our heavily armed truck. Suddenly, the sound of an AK47 automatic machine gun cracks the night very close to our position, followed by the metallic sound of the Spetsnaz locking and loading their own weapons. We swing into a u turn and head straight for the sound of gunfire. Entering a main intersection, I can see silhouettes racing across the end of the street straight ahead of our position. The Spetsnaz team leaps from the truck in pursuit of their newfound targets. I race on the masked men’s heels and begin rolling camera. Sniper fire is a main concern for these men who are currently working their way through an Uzbek neighborhood.

The Spetsnaz commander informs me that information has just come in concerning large numbers of Uzbeks gathering in an adjacent neighborhood. I am informed the situation has become too dangerous for our team to stay in this location and that we are pulling back. The team I am with will join with another similar Spetsnaz force and move to suppress what they fear may be an uprising. Despite my protest, the Spetsnaz team drop me in blackness at the front door of my hotel which is located on a DMZ between Uzbek and Kyrgyz neighborhoods. I spend the rest of the night propped up by an open hotel window reporting to the soundtrack of random gunfire.

We do our own stunts.

CNN producer note
JOHNNYCOLT of Atlanta, Georgia, reported about the violence between the Kyrgyz and Uzbeks this week from Osh, Kyrgyzstan. He was embedded with Spetznaz special forces as they unearthed the bodies of two Kyrgyz police officers that had gone missing weeks before. Please note the video is visceral and quite raw.
- zdan, CNN iReport producer

iReport —
In this episode of LIFE ADDICT…

EXPLICIT MATERIAL

Edil Baisalov has stepped down from his post as the interim government’s Chief of Staff in order to focus on the launch of his new AikolEl western style democracy party. In his first interview under the new party’s banner, Mr. Baisalov shares his hopes, dreams and fears for the people of Kyrgyzstan.
Stay to tuned to LIFE ADDICT as we roll through KYRGYZSTAN.
Upcoming…. video of my interview with Mr.Baisalov.
It’s here now… are you?