Holidays Banned For Kyrgyz Ministers

Kyrgyz President Bakiev (file photo) (RFE/RL) PRAGUE, June 19, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Kyrgyzstan's President Kurmanbek Bakiev today criticized state officials for what he called "poor discipline" and banned them from taking vacation until December.

Bakiev told an enlarged cabinet meeting he expected "iron discipline, order and accountability" to be the mottoes of the government and presidential administration, according to the official presidential website.

The Kyrgyz president said priority should be given to improving the investment climate in the country, building new infrastructure, and working on the 2007 state budget.

Bakiev threatened to take action against any official who takes a vacation before December, saying, "I believe it is time to work, not rest."

Bakiev also instructed his prime minister, Feliks Kulov, and the head of his administration, Myktybek Abdyldaev, to closely monitor the composition of official delegations going abroad and cut down on foreign trips.

(with additional reporting by Kabar and 24.kg)