Kyrgyz Opposition Claims to Take Power, Form New Government, Scores Killed

Kyrgyz opposition claims to take power, form new government

BISHKEK, April 8, 2010 (Xinhua) --

The opposition protesters claimed to have installed a new government in Kyrgyzstan late Wednesday amid dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries in the clash with the security forces in the country's capital city of Bishkek.

Key opposition leader Temir Sariev said on Wednesday a new government, led by Roza Otunbayeva, the country's former foreign minister and leader of the Social Democratic faction, has been formed.

He also said the Central Asian country's Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov had signed a letter of resignation, adding that the opposition has entered the building where government operates.

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has flied out of the country, and either his whereabouts or destination remained unknown, according to unconfirmed sources.

However, a senior official in the opposition Social Democratic Party said the president's plane already landed in the southern city of Osh.

While opposition claiming it has occupied the presidential palace, Roza Otunbayeva said they are in "full control" of the situation.

The anti-government protesters also seized the headquarters of the country's internal security forces.

Passing the mid-night in the capital, the situation seemed to have eased a little compared to one or two hours ago, with the assembled protesters began to disperse, said the Xinhua reporter.

The country's TV station has constantly broadcast urgent requests for blood donation to treat those injured in the mass protests and clashes, the reporter added.

According to Health Ministry officials, the death toll would continue to rise. Earlier, the Health Ministry put the number at 40, while the opposition said around 100 people had been killed.

The White House National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer

said the United States is "closely" following the situation in Kyrgyzstan and felt concerned about reports of violence and looting, urging all parties to refrain from violence and exercise restraint.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday said he was "shocked" over the deadly clash in Kyrgyzstan and appealed for concerned parties to "show restraint."

"The secretary-general is shocked by the reported deaths and injuries that have occurred today in Kyrgyzstan," said a statement issued by Ban's spokesman.

"He once again calls on all concerned to show restraint," the statement said, "He urgently appeals for dialogue and calm to avoid further bloodshed."

The unrest on Wednesday came one day after Tuesday's violence in the northern Kyrgyz town of Talas, during which at least 15 police officers were missing, 16 civilians and 85 policemen were injured, Prime Minister Usenov said.

Editor: yan

Protesters clash with police outside Kyrgyz presidential office, at least 17 killed

BISHKEK, April 7, 2010 (Xinhua) --

At least 17 people were killed and 180 others were injured in clash between police and opposition protesters in the capital city of Bishkek Wednesday, the Health Ministry said.

Kyrgyz opposition supporters, who were demanding the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, clashed with riot police outside the presidential office Wednesday, a police officer told Xinhua.

The police officer, Toktaim Umetalieva, said police opened fire and shot dead some 10 people while trying to disperse thousands of protesters rallying outside the presidential office.

Meanwhile, the country's chief spokesman said Wednesday Kyrgyz Interior Minister Moldomussa Kongantiyev is still alive, denying earlier reports that he was killed in the riots.

Rahmatillo Ahmedov, head of press-service of the Interior Ministry, denied media reports that Kongantiyev was killed after being taken hostage by opposition protesters.

Earlier reports said Kongantiyev was killed on Wednesday after being taken hostage by opposition protesters in the northern city of Talas.

Kongantiyev was held hostage inside the building of the city's interior department after it was seized by protesters, according to local media.

Meanwhile, Kyrgyz First Vice Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov was also taken hostage by protesters Wednesday at a square in Talas, witnesses told Xinhua.

According to the latest development, the country's national TV channels has stopped operation after protesters reportedly stormed into the national TV and radio building and took it over.

Kyrgyzstan's Manas international airport will be temporarily closed for twelve hours from 8:00 p.m. local time (1400 GMT) due to the escalating unrest between anti-government protesters and police.

Earlier reports said at least 93 people have been injured when opposition protesters clashed with police outside the presidential office in central Bishkek Wednesday.

A Xinhua reporter, who reported from the clash scene, and other witnesses saw bodies in the skirmishes.

The Xinhua reporter, who was staying inside the presidential office after an interview with the prime minister earlier in the day, saw many protesters clashing fiercely with police officers outside the presidential office.

Police were seen firing warning shots into the sky and the crowd and explosions could be heard. Many protesters fought back by hurtling bottles and stones at riot police holding shields. Several vehicles were set on fire.

Outside the presidential office, police were blocking protesters and establishing a new security belt. The roads in the city center were closed and vehicles were forbidden. More police troops were rushing toward the presidential office, witnesses said.

Bakiyev has ordered a state of emergency in Bishkek and three other cities, local television reported.

Amid waves of opposition protests in the Kyrgyz capital and elsewhere, Bakiyev also ordered a curfew between local time 10:00 p.m. (1600 GMT) Wedneday and 6 a.m. Thursday (0000 GMT) in Bishkek.

The Kyrgyz parliament is scheduled to sit on Thursday. Sources told Xinhua that the parliament might convene an emergency session Wednesday night on the president's order.

Opposition supporters marched toward the presidential office in the city center from different directions in the morning. Some protesters seized quite a few police vehicles and drove them toward the presidential office.

The protesters were attempting to storm into the building, and were demanding negotiations with President Bakiyev and Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov. They threatened to occupy the presidential office if their demands were not met.

In a related development, the regional government buildings in Naryn and Chui states were overrun by opposition protesters earlier Wednesday, witnesses told Xinhua.

About 3,000 opposition protestors gathered at a central square in the provincial capital of Naryn.

The U.S. embassy in Bishkek Wednesday urged the Kyrgyz government and opposition protesters to start negotiations as early as possible.

The U.S. embassy said in a statement that the U.S. government was deeply concerned about the latest unrest in some Kyrgyz cities.

The statement hoped that all the parties concerned in Kyrgyzstan would abide by law, begin talks as soon as possible, and solve their rifts within the framework of law.

Earlier, Russia urged restraint between Kyrgyz authorities and the opposition and called on them to resolve their disputes through democratic means instead of violence.

In a Tuesday unrest in the northern Kyrgyz town of Talas, at least 15 police officers were missing, and 16 civilians and 85 policemen were injured, Prime Minister Usenov said.

The unrest broke out after the head and deputy head of the main opposition Ata-Meken party were arrested Tuesday. Kyrgyz authorities said the unrest had been put under control.

Usenov told an urgent parliamentary meeting that the country's situation is still under the control of his government and that the government will never negotiate with "rioters."

Editor: Xiong Tong

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