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Journalism of Courage
Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who headed protests that triggered a coup in Kyrgyzstan last week, was appointed the Central Asian state’s leader by its new parliament on Monday as officials battled to end political chaos.
Bakiyev, who had previously disputed the election of the new parliament, was named prime minister, giving Kyrgyzstan a leadership with some claim to legitimacy after days of confusion following the overthrow of veteran President Askar Akayev.The parliament’s decision automatically confirmed Bakiyev’s position as acting president, a role he took on last Friday even though Akayev has refused to quit.
Akayev issued a statement on Monday from exile in Russia, accusing Kyrgyzstan’s new leaders of disgracing the country and ruining the economy. The new leaders had warned of the risk of civil war after the collapse of the old government last Thursday in an orgy of violence and looting. Calm has returned.
Bakiyev was quick to hold out an olive branch to the new parliament, which was formally allowed to take over from the previous legislature on Monday. ‘‘I can be reproached for saying earlier that the (February, March) polls were not legitimate. I said so. But in this parliament we have questions to only 15 to 20 constituencies, no one is saying that all deputies have to go,’’ he said.
Kyrgyzstan has set June 26 for a new presidential election, although the date still has to be confirmed. Bakiyev is almost certain to stand.
The new leaders, mostly top officials at some stage during Akayev’s rule, dismissed widespread suggestions they had little fondness for one another and were already squabbling. ‘‘We have no difference of opinion. It’s just a misunderstanding,’’ said Felix Kulov, when asked about reports of conflict with Bakiyev. —Reuters
