Kyrgyz Premier Creates Working Group On Reform

Almaz Atambaev (file photo) (AFP) BISHKEK, April 5, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almaz Atambaev today signed an order to establish a working group that will prepare proposals for improving the workings of the governmental system, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Among the 11 members of the working group are moderate opposition politicians Roza Otunbaeva and Ishenbay Abdyrazakov.

However, representatives of the opposition bloc the United Front for a Worthy Future for Kyrgyzstan started a hunger strike today, rejecting the idea of establishing the working group for constitutional reforms.

They want instead the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiev.

"Our [main] demand is not constitutional reform," United Front member Beknazar Orunov told RFE/RL today. "Our demand is the resignation of Bakiev. He has established many such constitutional working groups before. Why is he moving us to different sides like a juggler? There won't be any reform in our [country] unless he goes."

Understanding Kyrgyzstan

Workers preparing for celebrations of the constitutional compromise in Bishkek on November 9 (RFE/RL)

A STABLE FOUNDATION? On November 9, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a briefing featuring RFE/RL Kyrgyz Service Director Tyntchtykbek Tchoroev and RFE/RL analyst Daniel Kimmage.