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Kyrgyzstan's President Refuses to Step Down

   VOA News | Moscow 09 April 2010
   People put flowers on a fence in front of presidential headquarters as
   they  gather  to  mourn victims of the revolt on the central square in
   Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 09 Apr 2010

Photo: AP

   People put flowers on a fence in front of presidential headquarters as
   they  gather  to  mourn victims of the revolt on the central square in
   Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 09 Apr 2010

   Kyrgyzstan  President  Kurmanbek Bakiyev has refused to step down even
   though  the self-proclaimed new government says it will hold elections
   in six months.
   Witnesses  say  the  streets of Bishkek were calm early Friday morning
   even  though  sporadic  gunfire  was heard overnight. Vigilante groups
   organized  by  the  country's self-proclaimed new government said they
   fought looters in the capital.
   The  new  Kyrgz  leadership,  lead  by  former  foreign  minister Roza
   Otunbayeva,  says  that  parliament was dissolved on Thursday.  A day
   earlier, demonstrators stormed government buildings, forcing President
   Kurmanbek Bakiyev to flee to the southern part of the country.
   Otunbayeva  has  called  for Mr. Bakiyev to step down. He has refused,
   despite her pleas.
   Sagaibek  Bergygulov  is  a Bishkek resident. He thinks it is time for
   the embattled leader to step aside.
   He says we do not need Bakiyev. He is feeding only his family. He gave
   jobs  to  his  relatives  and  his  close  ones.  And  people here are
   suffering.  No jobs, corruption everywhere. They are stealing from the
   state.
   Bishkek  resident  Kabulbek Khurmanov also says that Mr. Bakiyev needs
   to resign, otherwise there will be bloody consequences.
   He  says  if  he does not want more bloodshed and civil war, he should
   voluntarily  hand  over  his  presidential  power to the people. If he
   persists, there will be more blood.
   Meanwhile,  the  interim leader, Otunbaeva said that Russia had helped
   oust Mr. Bakiyev.
   Russian  Prime  Minister  Vladimir  Putin  was  one of the first world
   leaders  to  call  Otunbayeva,  on  Thursday, which was widely seen as
   support  for  the  new  government. Mr. Putin also promised to provide
   humanitarian aid to Kyrgyzstan. Â

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