Kyrgyz Opposition Leader Says President Offered Him Job

Azimbek Beknazarov (file photo) (RFE/RL) October 20, 2006 -- Kyrgyz lawmaker Azimbek Beknazarov today said he and two other opposition leaders had been offered government jobs by President Kurmanbek Bakiev, but that they turned them down.

Beknazarov told reporters that he was offered to chair the Supreme Court, while former Trade Minister Almazbek Atambaev was promised the job of prime minister.

He also said Omurbek Tekebaev was offered his former position of parliament speaker. Bekanazrov said Bakiev did not directly approach the three opposition leaders, but dispatched aides to sound them out.

There was no immediate reaction from the president's office.

Another opposition lawmaker, Melis Eshimkanov, told the legislature today he had received assurances from one of Bakiev's top aides that the president would meet with opposition leaders in the coming days.

The opposition has called for an open-ended protest rally in Bishkek on November 2.

(AP, 24.kg, and AKIpress)