Excerpt from report by Kyrgyz TV on 15th March

The tension that has followed the [runoff] parliamentary elections [on 12th
March] is still running hot. According to incoming reports, having failed
in the elections to the republican parliament, certain candidates are
resorting to unlawful and illegal action. We contacted Deputy Interior
Minister (?Kalmamat Azi) to know to what extent this is true.

[The deputy minister] Esteemed citizens! The Ministry of Internal Affairs
was responsible for ensuring and preserving public order throughout the
period of the elections to the Zhogorku Kenesh [Supreme Council]. Police
officers not only ensured public order but, at times, also prevented
clashes between groups of supporters of different candidates for
parliament. Unauthorized meetings took place in Osh Region, Dzhalal-Abad
Region, Talas Region and Bishkek. I have to say that unauthorized meetings
and rallies - held without permission - are considered illegal.

For example, in Dzhalal-Abad Region a group of supporters of candidate
Omurbek Tekebayev [the leader of the opposition Ata-Meken (Fatherland)
Socialist Party] blocked traffic on the Bishkek - Osh road. The building of
a district administration was picketed in Talas Region. Certain groups
resorted to such unlawful actions as seizing officials, in particular, a
deputy head of district administration and the head of a district interior
department in order to express their dissatisfaction with the decision of
the district [electoral] commission.

Esteemed citizens! All these disputes and disagreement must be resolved in a
civilized fashion, in accordance with the law and by relevant agencies,
such as district [electoral] commissions and the Central Electoral
Commission. Complaints must be sent only to these bodies as they are
authorized to resolve such disputes and respond to you.
Unauthorized meetings were held in Bishkek today. For instance, Kievskaya
Street was blocked by a group of supporters of candidate Feliks
Sharshenbayevich Kulov [the leader of the main opposition Ar-Namys Party].
Later they blocked the building of the Constitutional Court. I have to say
that all these actions are illegal. They had no permission whatsoever to
hold these rallies and meetings. In this connection, we believe that
although this time police officers displayed restraint, this does not mean
that we will be acting in the same way in future. In case of further
unauthorized rallies we reserve the right to act within our competence and
in line with the law and other regulations of the Kygyz republic.
[Passage to end omitted: calls on people not to hold unauthorized rallies;
correspondent says those unhappy with the election results should chose
legal ways to express their dissatisfaction]

Source: Kyrgyz Television first channel, Bishkek, in Russian 1530 gmt 15 Mar
00
BBC Mon CAU 160300/** BB/AK