Kyrgyz Leaders Discuss Constitutional Changes

The chairman of parliament's Constitutional Law Committee, Iskhak Masaliev, was at the meeting, which took place late on April 16. Masaliev told RFE/RL that President Kurmanbek Bakiev was ready to accept a new draft of the constitution and rescind a version he has already sent to parliament for approval.

Atambaev "informed us that the president had told him that if we agreed on a joint single draft, then, even though it would be tough for the president himself, but if he finds it acceptable, then he would revoke the draft law that he already sent to the parliament, in order to amend it and to send back again," Masaliev said.

Constitutional reforms are one of the demands being made by opposition groups.

Opposition groups on April 16 held a sixth day of protests outside the government building in Bishkek that drew some 6,000 people to demand reforms and Bakiev's resignation.