Opposition intends to overthrow Asian khan

Nearly 90% of Kyrgyzstan’s population allegedly wants their president to go

The conflict between the official government and opposition is growing stronger and stronger in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek. Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev held meetings with several leaders of the opposition. Soon after, it was reported that the official authorities and the opposition came an agreement. This fragile truce went to pieces by the end of the past week.

The most conspicuous representatives of the opposition have announced the establishment of a new political movement with a very expressive title: the Movement for Askar Akayev's Resignation and Reforms for the People. As was said at the press-conference, the movement incorporated 22 political associations, including two communist groups.

The major claim of the new association is to force Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev to resign. This issue is the main unifying factor for the leaders of the opposition, and they are not going to compromise on this issue, not one bit. They have already started developing a new constitution, which will not allow power to be concentrated into the hands of one man only. The mechanisms of political reform include a new election code, reforming the Central Electoral Committee, and holding early presidential and parliamentary elections.

Radical sentiments of the opposition are explained by the fact that almost 90% of the population want Askar Akayev to resign. The constitutional assembly will be the last peaceful attempt to remove Akayez. The assembly is to take place the beginning of September.

The official government of Kyrgyzstan has already reacted to the new radical association of the opposition. They pronounced thecall for Askar Akayev’s resignation anti-constitutional and called upon law-enforcement bodies to take adequate measures against the people who violated the law on political parties. Needless to mention, if repressive measures are used against the opposition, any constitutional reforms in Kyrgyzstan are out of the question.

Yury Razgulayev PRAVDA.Ru Bishkek Kyrgyzstan

Translated by Dmitry Sudakov