Kyrgyz leader, facing protests, alleges coup plot
Source: Reuters
By Michael Steen BISHKEK, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Kyrgyzstan's president, under pressure from mass opposition protests for his resignation, said on Friday that authorities had uncovered evidence the opposition was plotting to seize control of key state buildings. As hundreds resumed their protests after an overnight vigil outside parliament, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said audio transcript showed protest organisers and some non-governmental agencies had discussed seizing state TV, the main presidency and government building, and SNB state security headquarters. "Let's not get overtaken by emotion. There is no threat here. There are no forces to carry out a coup. But there are intentions. There is proof," Bakiyev told parliament as protests continued outside. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Central Asian capital on Thursday demanding the resignation of Bakiyev who they say has backtracked on promises of democratic reforms. After camping out on the main square in red plastic tents -- the colour of the opposition -- several hundreds resumed chants of: "Bakiyev out! (Prime Minister Felix) Kulov out!" Though organisers said they expected protests to swell into their thousands again on Friday, many of Bishkek's shops took their shutters off and resumed normal business -- a sign that shopkeepers did not sense mass disturbances were afoot. Bakiyev's opponents have staged frequent protests since he was swept to power in a coup in 2005. They say his administration is corrupt and he has backtracked on promises to share more power with parliament and push through reforms. Kyrgyzstan, a mainly Muslim nation of 5.2 million people, is home to both U.S. and Russian airbases. Outsiders are watching for signs of civil unrest they worry could spread to neighbouring countries in Central Asia. REFORM After a lengthy standoff with the opposition-dominated parliament, Bakiyev agreed this week to alter the constitution to water down his powers and hand more influence to parliament. On the main square on Friday, opposition leaders laughed off Bakiyev's charges they had been planning to seize key state buildings. Edil Baisalov, head of the Coalition of Democracy and Civil Society and also a member of the opposition For Reform! movement which has been running the protests, said: "We have shown our peaceful nature ... the For Reform! movement will only use peaceful and non-violent means." Bakiyev also spoke in conciliatory tones, saying he wanted the judicial system to deal with the allegations. But he added: "Politicians who are speaking of constitutional reform should not act like this." About 15,000 people massed on Thursday, according to Reuters estimates. Police put attendance at between 5,000 and 6,000, while opposition leaders spoke of 40,000. The prime minister told an evening television debate "any attempt to destabilise the situation, I tell you with authority now, will be resolutely stopped". Bakiyev was elected president after his predecessor, Askar Akayev, fled the country following violent protests against a flawed parliamentary election. Bakiyev's control of the country has been fragile from the outset, raising the possibility he could suffer a similar fate to Akayev if protests continue. But the parliamentary opposition lined up against him is itself riven by division. "On the whole, I believe there are no grounds for concern, for people to be worried ... Frankly speaking, all we have here is a fight for power," Bakiyev said in a Thursday television interview. Bakiyev told parliament he would present the new constitution on Monday that would define the responsibilities of the president and those of the parliament. (Additional reporting by Olga Dzyubenko)
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