Kyrgyz Opposition Group Calls For Early Presidential Poll

Feliks Kulov, speaking to reporters in Bishkek today (RFE/RL) March 5, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Feliks Kulov says his recently established opposition group is calling for an early presidential election, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

However, speaking to journalists in Bishkek today, Kulov said his party will not demand the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiev.

Kulov also said he will not run for president in 2010, when Bakiev's mandate expires. But Kulov did not rule out running if an early election takes place.

Kulov also questioned the legitimacy of the constitution signed into law in January.

"Even many members of parliament didn't read those [amended] articles [of the new constitution] and they voted in bulk, so to speak, to adopt the constitution, and the population didn't even understand which articles they were talking about," Kulov said. "Those articles were not discussed in parliament or among the population. So, the question is, who is to blame? The legitimacy [of the new constitution] comes into question."

Kulov said local businesspeople financing his United Front For A Worthy Future For Kyrgyzstan are being pressured by the current leadership.

Kulov joined the opposition last month after parliament twice rejected his candidacy for prime minister.

(with material from 24.kg, AKIpress, ITAR-TASS)