Text of report by the Kyrgyz news agency Kabar on 13th January

Bishkek, 13th January: According to the Kyrgyz Central Electoral Commission
press service, as at 12th January 2000, only 151 of 440 candidates
nominated for the Supreme Council [parliament] have been registered at the
45 electoral districts. Fifty of the candidates nominated are the present
members of parliament, 32 of whom have been registered to date: 21 for the
Legislative Assembly [standing chamber] and 11 for the Assembly of People's
Representatives [non-standing chamber]. Another interesting thing came to
light during the registration process. Many deputies of the Assembly of
People's Representatives have decided at the present stage of the elections
to stand for the Legislative Assembly of the Supreme Council, in other
words, to move to other chamber. They include T.[Turdakun] Usubaliyev
[former Soviet communist leader], A.[Absamat] Masaliyev [leader of
Kyrgyzstan communists] and other well-known politicians. According to many
observers, including foreign observers, the prospective candidates are
being extremely slow about getting officially registered, in spite of the
fact that the deadline, 25th January, set for applications is approaching.

Source: Kabar news agency, Bishkek, in Russian 1335 gmt 13 Jan 00
BBC Mon CAU 130100/** VA/MK