Kyrgyz president receives OSCE rights head in run-up to elections

Excerpts from report by Kyrgyz TV on 7th May Today [7th May]

Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev received the director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights at the OSCE, Gerard Stoudmann. Questions concerning the observance of human rights in Kyrgyzstan were touched upon during the meeting. [Correspondent] We are at the peak of cooperation. However, today the main task for us is to move on to a new stage, the president emphasized, and drew Mr Stoudmann's attention to important aspects of cooperation between the OSCE and Kyrgyzstan.

According to Askar Akayev, the present visit is of great significance, as it is taking place in the run-up to important events: elections to local councils, parliament and presidential elections. In other words, the country is preparing to passing the test of democratic maturity in the year 2000. True, Kyrgyzstan has also achieved success in its progress towards the formation of democracy. [Passage to end omitted: The multi-party system exists in the republic; elections in 2000 will be held on majority and proportional principle, each party has the right to nominate its own candidate for parliament. Nearly 80 women's non-governmental organizations are operating in Kyrgyzstan]

Source: Kyrgyz Television first channel, Bishkek, in Russian 1430 gmt 07 May 99 BBC Mon CAU080599/13 VA/MK