Kyrgyz Opposition Unveils Charter To Restore Democratic-Reform Process

BISHKEK (RFE/RL) -- A Kyrgyz opposition leader is calling on politicians, NGO leaders, government officials, and intellectuals to sign a charter aimed at "restoring the democratic process" in Kyrgyzstan.

Former parliament speaker Omurbek Tekebaev, head of the opposition Ata Meken (Fatherland) party, told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service that civic leaders and opposition members -- including several Social Democratic parliament deputies -- began signing the document at 2 p.m. local time on November 3.

But opposition Jangy Kyrgyzstan (New Kyrgyzstan) leader Ismail Isakov said his party does not support the document. The Communist Party also said it will not support it.

Opposition parties and civic leaders have criticized Bakiev for not fulfilling promises of reform that he made after the 2005 Tulip Revolution chased President Askar Akaev from power.