Kyrgyz Opposition Hands Demands To Government

Opposition activists rallied in Bishkek on March 27

BISHKEK -- Members of the Kyrgyz opposition have handed a resolution to the authorities stating the demands agreed upon by participants in March 27 demonstrations, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

The chief of staff of the United People's Movement, Azimbek Beknazarov, told RFE/RL that the document contains major demands addressed to President Kurmanbek Bakiev and the government. These include replacing by April 20 half of the staff of the so-called "power ministries:" the ministries of interior, security, defense and foreign affairs, as well as a half of the Central Electoral Commission's staff.

If the demands are not met, the opposition will hold another nationwide protest.

On March 27, thousands of activists and opposition supporters demonstrated in the capital, Bishkek, and in other cities throughout Kyrgyzstan.