News Update
28-03-05, 12:54
Rival parliaments vie for power in Kyrgyzstan
By Greg Walters in Bishkek and Neil Buckley in Moscow
March 27 2005
A political schism in Kyrgyzstan opened wide at the weekend, with two different parliaments both claiming legitimacy only days after President Askar Akayev fled the country.
Some analysts warned that the duelling parliaments could spark a dangerous battle for power in the central Asian republic in the wake of rioting in the capital, Bishkek, last week.
The High Court ruled on Friday that the February 27 parliamentary elections were invalid and ordered the old parliament to reconvene. But Kurmanbek Bakiyev, acting prime minister, then signed an order saying that most of the new parliament would be allowed to stay on.
Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to be taking a conciliatory approach to the republic's new leadership. He spoke by telephone to Mr Bakiyev, who is also the acting Kyrgyz president, and offered assistance in stabilising the country. Mr Bakiyev had asked Russia for help in providing fuel supplies.
The newly elected parliament also won a powerful ally on Sunday when Felix Kulov, the country's security chief , expressed support for the results of the recent election. “The new parliament is legitimate and the old parliament's term has expired,†he said.
Mr Kulov also threatened to arrest members of the old parliament if did they not step down. Later, however, he apologised for his remarks. The precise whereabouts of Mr Akayev remained unknown. But the Kremlin on Saturday indicated that he was already in Russia. “Askar Akayev asked us for the opportunity to come to Russia, and that opportunity was given to him,†said a statement carried by the Itar-Tass news agency.
On the streets, police managed to restore a semblance of order in Bishkek after firing their weapons into the air to disperse rioters. But tension remained high in the republic as hundreds of supporters of Mr Akayev demonstrated in his hometown of Kemin, 80km east of Bishkek.
The protesters set out for Bishkek on Saturday, but later turned back. Some 150 of them set up a blockade on the main road between Bishkek and Kemin, though by late yesterday afternoon they were reported to have gone home.
Mr Bakiyev said a new presidential election had been set for June 26, and announced his candidacy. “I never dreamed this would happen so quickly,†Mr Bakiyev said. “I do not think this was the best way.â€
Mr Bakiyev said that Mr Akayev remained the president under the constitution but that ways of removing him “legally†were being examined, possibly through parliamentary action. He also said Mr Akayev was free to return to Kyrgyzstan and would be granted immunity.
By Greg Walters in Bishkek and Neil Buckley in Moscow
March 27 2005
A political schism in Kyrgyzstan opened wide at the weekend, with two different parliaments both claiming legitimacy only days after President Askar Akayev fled the country.
Some analysts warned that the duelling parliaments could spark a dangerous battle for power in the central Asian republic in the wake of rioting in the capital, Bishkek, last week.
The High Court ruled on Friday that the February 27 parliamentary elections were invalid and ordered the old parliament to reconvene. But Kurmanbek Bakiyev, acting prime minister, then signed an order saying that most of the new parliament would be allowed to stay on.
Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to be taking a conciliatory approach to the republic's new leadership. He spoke by telephone to Mr Bakiyev, who is also the acting Kyrgyz president, and offered assistance in stabilising the country. Mr Bakiyev had asked Russia for help in providing fuel supplies.
The newly elected parliament also won a powerful ally on Sunday when Felix Kulov, the country's security chief , expressed support for the results of the recent election. “The new parliament is legitimate and the old parliament's term has expired,†he said.
Mr Kulov also threatened to arrest members of the old parliament if did they not step down. Later, however, he apologised for his remarks. The precise whereabouts of Mr Akayev remained unknown. But the Kremlin on Saturday indicated that he was already in Russia. “Askar Akayev asked us for the opportunity to come to Russia, and that opportunity was given to him,†said a statement carried by the Itar-Tass news agency.
On the streets, police managed to restore a semblance of order in Bishkek after firing their weapons into the air to disperse rioters. But tension remained high in the republic as hundreds of supporters of Mr Akayev demonstrated in his hometown of Kemin, 80km east of Bishkek.
The protesters set out for Bishkek on Saturday, but later turned back. Some 150 of them set up a blockade on the main road between Bishkek and Kemin, though by late yesterday afternoon they were reported to have gone home.
Mr Bakiyev said a new presidential election had been set for June 26, and announced his candidacy. “I never dreamed this would happen so quickly,†Mr Bakiyev said. “I do not think this was the best way.â€
Mr Bakiyev said that Mr Akayev remained the president under the constitution but that ways of removing him “legally†were being examined, possibly through parliamentary action. He also said Mr Akayev was free to return to Kyrgyzstan and would be granted immunity.