Kyrgyz NGOs, Political Parties Form Alliance

Former parliament speaker Omurbek Tekebaev heads the new coalition (file photo) (RFE/RL) BISHKEK, April 17, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Several Kyrgyz political parties and non-governmental organizations today announced the formation of a new alliance called the Union of Democratic Forces.

Former parliament speaker Omurbek Tekebaev, who leads the Atameken (Motherland) Socialist Party, was put in charge of organizing a rally by the new alliance, planned for April 29.

One of Tekebaev's deputies, parliamentarian Kubatbek Baibolov, outlined the group's main demands for the upcoming rally.

"These are our main demands: carrying out constitutional reforms, and judiciary and legal reforms, fighting crime, and carrying out other reforms such as economic and regional reforms as well as having the central authorities relinquish some of their powers,” Baibolov said.

Alliance members say they will not be seeking the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, but they want him to be more efficient in carrying out democratic changes.

Kyrgyzstan has witnessed a new wave of popular discontent in recent weeks, just over a year after the country’s Tulip Revolution.