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Ousted Kyrgyz Leader Says He is Still President

   Mr. Bakiyev spoke Wednesday from Belarus, where he took refuge earlier
   this week after being toppled during violent anti-government protests

   VOA News 21 April 2010
   Kyrgyzstan's   deposed   President   Kurmanbek   Bakiyev,   makes   an
   announcement in Minsk, Belarus, 21 Apr 2010

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

   Kyrgyzstan's   deposed   President   Kurmanbek   Bakiyev,   makes   an
   announcement in Minsk, Belarus, 21 Apr 2010

   Kyrgyzstan's  ousted  leader  Kurmanbek  Bakiyev  says he is still the
   rightful president of his country.
   Mr. Bakiyev spoke Wednesday from Belarus, where he took refuge earlier
   this  week after being toppled during violent anti-government protests
   on April 7 that killed 84 people.
   The  deposed  president  said he did not recognize his resignation and
   that  "only  death can stop me."Â  Speaking in Minsk, Mr. Bakiyev also
   urged  the  international  community  not  to  recognize  the  interim
   government, which he called an illegitimate gang.
   Kyrgystan's  interim  government  says  Mr. Bakiyev signed a letter of
   resignation before departing the country last week. Â
   The   provisional   administration,  led  by  opposition  leader  Roza
   Otunbayeva,  says  Mr.  Bakiyev should be extradited and face trial in
   connection with the shooting of demonstrators during the uprising.
   Interim  leaders  also  accuse  the ousted president of corruption and
   nepotism.
   On Tuesday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Mr. Bakiyev
   and his family are under his protection in the capital, Minsk.
   The   interim  government  is  struggling  to  maintain  stability  in
   Kyrgyzstan,  after ethnic violence killed five people on the outskirts
   of Bishkek on Monday.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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