Kyrgyz President Rejects Calls To Resign

President Kurmanbek Bakiev (file photo) (RFE/RL) February 20, 2007 -- Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev today rejected opposition demands that he step down and said the calls for his resignation are "a blow to the political future" of Kyrgyzstan.

On February 19, a new opposition movement, the United Front for a Worthy Future for Kyrgyzstan, published a declaration saying the country needs political reform and new leadership.


Former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov, who joined the opposition last week, was among the signatories.


(Reuters)

Understanding Kyrgyzstan

Understanding Kyrgyzstan

Workers preparing for celebrations of the constitutional compromise in Bishkek on November 9 (RFE/RL)

A STABLE FOUNDATION? On November 9, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a briefing featuring RFE/RL Kyrgyz Service Director Tyntchtykbek Tchoroev and RFE/RL analyst Daniel Kimmage.


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Listen to the complete discussion (about 80 minutes):
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