Kyrgyz PM Urges Opposition Restraint, Compromise

More than one-third of the country's lawmakers today called on Kulov and President Kurmanbek Bakiev to resign if no solution is found to a dispute over stalled constitutional and other reforms by November 2.
 
In an apparent response to that appeal, Kulov said in a statement posted on the government's website that the "language of ultimatum" does not suit "the democratic principles and traditions of tolerance of the Kyrgyz people."
 
He also warns his government is taking "all necessary steps" to maintain public order in anticipation of a major protest rally scheduled to take place in Bishkek on November 2.
 
Opposition leaders met on October 31 with Bakiev in a bid to find a way out of the current standoff.
 
They said the talks ended inconclusively despite Bakiev's pledge to compromise on some of the issues at stake.