BISHKEK -- Some 30 representatives of Kyrgyzstan's Communist Party and the Russian World Foundation picketed the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, protesting appointment of Richard Miles as the interim Charge d'Affaires at the U.S. diplomatic mission in the Kyrgyz capital.
The leader of the Kyrgyz Communist Party, Klara Ajibekova, attended the rally on February 27. She told RFE/RL that the arrival of Mr. Miles to the post was a "significant event" as "in every country, where Miles worked as diplomat, armed conflicts erupted," and therefore "we do not want Kyrgyzstan to find itself in such a situation."
Richard Miles assumed the position of interim Charge d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, on February 13, as the arrival of Ambassador designate Sheila Gwaltney is still pending.
Miles served as Ambassador to Azerbaijan from 1992 to 1993, as Chief of Mission to Belgrade, Serbia, from 1996 to 1999, and as Ambassador to Bulgaria from 1999 to 2002.
He also served as U.S. Ambassador to Georgia from April 19, 2002 until August 15, 2005.