BISHKEK – Kyrgyzstan remains torn by a power struggle that concerns Turkey and has prompted Kazakhstan to closes its border.
So far, two rival parliaments were vying power in this country of five
million. The struggle pitted the current parliament with one that was
elected earlier this month.
The power struggle continued as police succeeded in quelling riots and
looting that wracked the Kyrgyz capital. Police detained 129 people, and up
to three alleged looters were killed.
Meanwhile in Astana, Kazakhstan has closed its border with Kyrgyzstan.
Officials said the government was concerned that the violence in Kyrgyzstan would spread south into
Kazakhstan.
Last week, Kazakhstan increased border forces, but insisted the border
would remain. Over the weekend, Astana closed its northern border.
Officials said the Kazakh border would be closed until Kyrgyzstan
stabilizes. Officials said Kazakhstan would not allow people or vehicles to
and from Kyrgyzstan regardless of their nationality.
Turkey has also expressed concern over the fate of its interests in
Kyrgyzstan.
Turkey has major investments in Kyrgyzstan, officials said. They said
that so far there has been no threat to Turkish nationals or businesses.
In Kyrgyzstan, former Prime Minister Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who has called the
parliamentary elections fraudulent, has been named interim president. But
Kyrgyz prosecutor-general Azim Beknazarov said the new parliament, dominated
by ousted Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev's allies, must be recognized.
If we do not agree [among ourselves], we will not avoid a civil war,"
Beknazarov said.
Russia has provided asylum to Akayev.
Officials said President Vladimir Putin granted asylum to Akayev last
week. They said Akayev flew into Moscow from Kazakhstan after he fled
opposition forces in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek.
"Akayev requested an opportunity to come to Russia, and his request was
granted," the Kremlin said in a statement.
Officials said Putin had a telephone conversation with acting Kyrgyz
President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. They said Putin, in a conversation initiated by
Bakiyev, confirmed his willingness to help stabilize Kyrgyzstan.
Akayev supporters met on Sunday in his hometown of Kemin, about 80
kilometers east of Bishkek. About 700 Akayev supporters announced that they
would not recognize Bakiyev as leader.
The Central Elections Committee has confirmed the authority of the new
parliament. The committee said reelections would take place in the districts
where the election results were disputed.
"I will stick to the following rule of having people from both south and
north [in administration] to have some kind of balance," Bakiev said.
Kyrgyz security chief Feliks Kulov said parliamentary deputies should
transfer authority to the newly-elected representatives on April 14. Kulov
warned that he would arrest any of supporters of current deputies who try to
stir unrest in Bishkek.
The new Kyrgyz presidential elections were expected to be held in June.
Opposition leader Rosa Otunbayeva said that after the elections the
parliamentary results would be reviewed.
Bakiyev has sought Western help to consolidate power. Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe secretary-general Jan Kubis arrived in
Bishkek to help resolve the crisis. Kyrgyzstan is a member of the OSCE and
the organization said it would send three constitutional and legal experts.
"We think the need for them is urgent," OSCE envoy Alojz Peterle said.
"The political situation in this country has improved, but the crisis has
not been resolved."
So far, Kazakhstan's embassy in Kyrgyzstan has helped Kazakh nationals
to return to Kazakhstan. To date, 36 Kazakh students who had studied in
Jalal-Abad have returned.
In Bishkek, more than 3,000 Kazakh students remain in the Kyrgyz
capital. Students of Turkish University Manas have also requested asylum in
Kazakhstan.
"There is no threat against the lives of Turkish businessmen in
Kyrgyzstan at the moment," Turkish-Kyrgyz Business Council Chairman Cem
Ozgur said. "Several Turkish firms were looted, but there are no
casualties."
Ozgur said 450 Turkish firms operate in all sectors of Kyrgyzstan. He
said most of them are small and medium-sized enterprises.
Since 1991, Turkish firms have invested $650 million in Kyrgyzstan have
reached $650 million. Turkey has been the fourth biggest investor in
Kyrgyzstan, following the United States, Britain and Canada.
In 2004, trade between Ankara and Bishkek reached $80 million. Last
year, 13 Turkish contractors completed 19 projects worth $330.6 million
in Kyrgyzstan.
"Turkish firms are not related to Kyrgyz government and/or political
groups, and they work independently," Ozgur said. "Thus, there will be no
problem in their business in Kyrgyzstan."
