Voice of America
Ousted Kyrgyz President Arrives in Moscow
By Anya Ardayeva
Moscow
26 March 2005
Askar Akayev (File photo)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly offered his help to the new
Kyrgyz leadership. Meanwhile, reports in Moscow say that ousted Kyrgyz
President Askar Akayev has taken refuge in Russia.
Kyrgyzstan’s interim leader, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, says he spoke to the Russian
leader on the phone, and was offered help.
Mr. Bakiyev says the Russian president expressed interest in what was
happening in Kyrgyzstan, and asked if any help from Russia was needed to
stabilize the situation. Mr. Bakiyev said he was grateful to the Russian
leader for showing concern and extending the hand of friendship to
Kyrgyzstan’s new leadership.
Vladimir Putin
Speaking in Yerevan, Armenia, on Friday, Vladimir Putin said the opposition
leaders in Kyrgyzstan who have formed an interim government were known well
in Russia, as they have worked in Kyrgyzstan’s government in the past, and
have contributed to developing relations between Moscow and Bishkek. He said
Russia was ready to do everything to further develop the relations between
the two nations.
Mr. Putin also said that the change of power in the central Asian nation was
a result of weak leadership and multiple social and economic problems in the
country.
The Russian leader said he was sorry that, once again, in the territory of
the former Soviet Union, political questions are solved, “in an unlawful
way,” and are accompanied by what he called pogroms and human casualties. He
called for Kyrgyzstan’s interim leaders to bring the situation in the
country under control.
The Russian president also said that ousted Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev
was welcome to come to Russia.
Mr. Akayev fled the country on March 24, as opposition supporters stormed
government buildings and took control of the capital, Bishkek. On Saturday,
the Interfax news agency reported, the Kremlin confirmed that the ousted
Kyrgyz leader had arrived in Russia. Mr. Akayev has said that he is still
Kyrgyzstan’s legitimate president. Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the opposition leader
appointed by parliament to lead an interim government, said he would run in
a June election to replace Mr. Akayev as president.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress