Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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Kyrgyz Opposition Seizes Government Buildings in Protest
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=C593D9:2AB91D3

At least 2,000 protesters control the regional administrative building
in the capital of Osh Kyrgyzstan's political opposition has taken
control of government headquarters in the country's second largest
city, Osh, as discontent over recent parliament elections grows.

By mid-day Monday, at least 2,000 protesters were in control of the
regional administrative building in Osh. Others gathered in the
central square, calling for President Askar Akayev's resignation.

Police did not intervene to stop the demonstrators, as they stormed
the complex in protest over recent opposition losses to the ruling
party in elections which were widely viewed as flawed by the West.

The director of Moscow's Heritage Foundation, Yevgeni Volk, says the
situation is volatile.

"Its still not very clear whether it will develop into a massive
protest and it will be successful or, at the present stage, the powers
will be able to suppress it," he said. "But, even if they succeed in
suppressing the movement, it doesn't mean that the problem will be
solved."

Mr. Volk says Kyrgyzstan's opposition is calling for urgent talks with
the Akayev government.


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