<http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/03/28/003-print.html>
News http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/03/28/003.html Monday, March 28, 2005. Page 1. 2 Parliaments Fight for Power in Bishkek By Greg Walters Staff Writer Misha Japaridze / AP Kurmanbek Bakiyev walking to a stage to address a Bishkek rally on Friday. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan -- Signs of a political schism in Kyrgyzstan's new government appeared over the weekend as two parliaments battled for legitimacy, only days after President Askar Akayev fled the country for Moscow. Police and civilian volunteers managed to restore a semblance of order to Bishkek, where rioters and looters had rampaged through the city center after an angry crowd stormed the Kyrgyz government building Thursday and handed power to the opposition. Former opposition leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev was named acting prime minister and given presidential authority Friday, and he appeared to be in control, but there were fears that the dueling parliaments could spark a dangerous battle for power. The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Feb. 27 parliamentary elections were invalid and ordered the old parliament to reconvene. But on Friday, as the old parliament went into session, members of the newly elected parliament met elsewhere in the same building. After protests from the newly elected deputies, Bakiyev signed an order on Saturday acknowledging the legitimacy of most of those new parliament members and saying that the election of only some of them needed to be verified. It was the disputed parliamentary elections, described by international observers as deeply flawed, that led to the protests that culminated in the storming of the government headquarters Thursday. The newly elected parliament won a powerful ally Sunday when Felix Kulov, an opposition leader who was released from prison Thursday and then put in charge of the country's security services, expressed his support for the results of the most recent election. "The new parliament is legitimate and the old parliament's term has expired," he said, The Associated Press reported. Kulov threatened to arrest members of the old parliament, led by his allies, if they did they not step down. Later, he apologized for his remarks, explaining he was "too tired." The old parliament met late Thursday and elected one of its own members, Ishenbai Kadyrbekov, as interim president. But he quickly stepped down, and the same parliament turned to Bakiyev on Friday. It also put Kulov in charge of security. Prosecutor General Azim Beknazarov, a close ally of Bakiyev, conceded that the new parliament -- dominated by Akayev's allies -- would now have to be officially recognized, The AP reported. But he cautioned that decisions taken by the former parliament were still valid, apparently ruling out any challenge to Bakiyev. Bakiyev won a sign of support from President Vladimir Putin on Saturday. The two men spoke by telephone and Putin asked how he could help the new government, Bakiyev said. The Kremlin press service said Akayev was in Russia, where Putin had said he would be welcome. Bakiyev said a new presidential election has been set for June 26 and announced his candidacy. "I never dreamed this would happen so quickly," he said. "I do not think this was the best way." Bakiyev said that Akayev remained the president under the constitution but ways of removing him legally were being examined, possibly through parliamentary action. He also said that Akayev was free to return to Kyrgyzstan and that he would be granted immunity. Kulov, who is said to be Bakiyev's strongest potential rival in any election, said in an interview he has been "too busy" to even think about running for president. Bishkek was relatively calm by Sunday. Police dispersed looters over the weekend by firing their weapons into the air, and citizen militia groups could be seen patrolling the streets after nightfall. Shop owners sympathetic to the new authorities wrote "We're with the people" in white paint over their windows in an attempt to keep looters at bay. Angry mobs targeted businesses owned by members of Akayev's family and inner circle but also raided shops indiscriminately. Misha Japaridze / AP Felix Kulov, now in charge of security, addressing the old parliament Sunday.Temperatures in Bishkek dipped below freezing Sunday and a blanket of snow covered the city, aiding the efforts of police to impose order. A young man was killed during the chaotic rioting on Friday, bringing the death toll to three since Thursday. At least 173 people have been hospitalized. Tension remained high, however, as supporters of Akayev's demonstrated over the weekend in his hometown of Kemin, some 80 kilometers east of Bishkek. The protesters set out for Bishkek on Saturday but then turned back. About 150 of them set up a blockade on the main road between Bishkek and Kemin, though by late Sunday afternoon they too had reportedly gone home. "The speed with which order has been restored is thanks to the people," Kulov said. "I am very thankful." The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has offered to help find a resolution to the political crisis, and its secretary-general, Jan Kubis, arrived in Bishkek on Sunday. A Russian speaker, Kubis was involved in negotiations in Ukraine last year. -- ----------------- R. A. Hettinga <mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' ------------------------ Yahoo! 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