Kyrgyzstan Celebrates Independence Day

31 August 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Kyrgyzstan is today celebrating its 14th anniversary of independence.
Celebrations kicked off with a military parade in the main square of the capital Bishkek. A procession of civilians carrying national flags, banners, and posters with festive messages started shortly after the military parade.

After the civilian procession, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Prime Minister Feliks Kulov greeted and congratulated the participants.

Kyrgyz television reported that Independence Day festivities are due to carry on into the late hours of the evening.

(With BBC Monitoring/Kyrgyz TV)