Kyrgyz President Signs Decree On State System

The decree says a working group has been established consisting of experts, government, and opposition members, and will be led by Prime Minister Almaz Atambaev.

The reform proposal has to be given to the president by April 10. The decree went into force right after it was signed.

In the meantime, parliament member Kubatbek Baibolov from the For Reforms movement told RFE/RL today that he gave -- on behalf of the opposition -- his own proposal of the amended draft constitution to Bakiev a few days ago. He is now awaiting a reply by the presidential office.

For Reforms "fully agrees with [my draft constitution]. We have discussed it several times," he said, adding that another opposition bloc, the United Front for a Worthy Future, "also supports the draft text, but the front leaders have some special reservations regarding the articles on a transition period" between now and the full implementation of a future constitution.

The two powerful opposition blocs earlier rejected an offer from the president to join Atambaev's coalition. Only two moderate politicians -- members of the Social Democratic Party -- are in the government.