Kurmanbek Bakiev
Bishkek, 28 March 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Kyrgyzstan's acting Prime Minister and President Kurmanbek Bakiev says his government has the support of the leaders of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
Bakiev made the announcement before the upper chamber of the outgoing Kyrgyz parliament.
"I must report to you that the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin; the president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbaev; and the president of Uzbekistan, Islam Abdugaliyevich Karimov, all support the interim government that I am heading today. I've talked to all three presidents and all three said in one voice:
'we're ready to help you,'" Bakiev said.
Earlier today, Kyrgyzstan's new parliament approved Bakiev as prime minister. The decision put Bakiev's position in conformity with the constitution. Kyrgyzstan's basic law does not provide for an interim prime minister to be interim president.
However, Kyrgyzstan's legal uncertainty continued today with both old and new parliaments holding separate sessions. The outgoing, bicameral parliament insists its mandate should be extended until early presidential elections, set for 26 June.
Ousted President Askar Akaev has fled Bishkek in the midst of last week's political upheaval but has not resigned.
Related:
Profile: Kurmanbek Bakiev
For more background on the crisis in Kyrgyzstan, see RFE/RL's dedicated website Revolution In Kyrgyzstan
"I must report to you that the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin; the president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbaev; and the president of Uzbekistan, Islam Abdugaliyevich Karimov, all support the interim government that I am heading today. I've talked to all three presidents and all three said in one voice:
'we're ready to help you,'" Bakiev said.
Earlier today, Kyrgyzstan's new parliament approved Bakiev as prime minister. The decision put Bakiev's position in conformity with the constitution. Kyrgyzstan's basic law does not provide for an interim prime minister to be interim president.
However, Kyrgyzstan's legal uncertainty continued today with both old and new parliaments holding separate sessions. The outgoing, bicameral parliament insists its mandate should be extended until early presidential elections, set for 26 June.
Ousted President Askar Akaev has fled Bishkek in the midst of last week's political upheaval but has not resigned.
Related:
Profile: Kurmanbek Bakiev
For more background on the crisis in Kyrgyzstan, see RFE/RL's dedicated website Revolution In Kyrgyzstan