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Kyrgyzstan's Acting President Accuses Akaev Of Rigging Elections


20 April 2005 -- Kyrgyzstan's acting president, Kurmanbek Bakiev, today accused ousted President Askar Akaev of directing alleged vote-rigging which triggered the revolt that swept him from office last month.

Speaking in Bishkek, Bakiev said his accusations are based on materials from Akaev's personal archive.

"Materials from [ousted president Askar] Akaev's personal archives that we have found show that the fairy tale about a good president and his bad entourage has nothing to do with reality. The president personally directed, planned and financed bribery and vote-rigging," Bakiev told RFE/RL.

Bakiev also vowed that Kyrgyzstan's upcoming presidential elections, which are scheduled for 10 July, will be free and fair, saying that no candidates will be allowed to use state resources to fund their campaigns.
Akaev has denied allegations of orchestrating election fraud.

(RFE/RL//AP/REUTERS)
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