Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Russia seizes initiative in Kyrgyzstan
By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, MARCH 30. Russia has moved to seize initiative in the Kyrgyz crisis as the new leadership in the Central Asian state showed first signs of a split.

A team of Russian experts arrived in Kygyzstan on Wednesday to assess the country's needs for humanitarian aid in line with the President, Vladimir Putin's instructions to help "the friendly nation" cope with the damage from the March 24 revolt that toppled the Kyrgyz President, Askar Akayev. Rampage and looting in the capital Bishkek are estimated to have caused damage to the tune of $100 million, a quarter of Kyrgyzstan's annual budget.
Akayev ready to resign

Moscow has also positioned itself for the role of mediator between the new Kyrgyz leadership and Mr. Akayev, who has been given shelter in Russia. On Tuesday Mr. Akayev for the first time suggested he could step down voluntarily.
"Of course I am (ready to resign), if I am given relevant guarantees and if it is done in full accordance with the current legislation," he told Russia's state-run Channel One TV. Mr. Putin had promptly accepted the change of leadership in Kyrgyzstan, saying he hoped to establish positive relations with the new leaders who in the past had done "a great deal to develop good relations between Russia and Kyrgyzstan."

Meanwhile, the Kyrgyz former strongman, Felix Kulov, has stepped down today as coordinator of the law-enforcement agencies in an early sign of a split among the new Kyrgyz leadership. Mr. Kulov, one of the most popular politicians in Kyrgyzstan, said he was leaving because law and order had been restored and there was no need for him to oversee police and security services.

However, informed sources said Mr. Kulov resigned in protest against the appointment of his former jailer, Tashtemir Aitbayev, as head of the National Security Service.
New candidate

Another leader of the anti-Akayev coup, Adakhan Madumarov, announced today his intention to join the presidential race, reducing chances of the former Opposition to agree on a single candidate for the presidential election tentatively set for June 26.

http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/31/stories/2005033102301400.htm