Text of report by the Kyrgyz newspaper 'Vecherniy Bishkek'

[Newspaper headline] Communist prospects

The chairman of the central executive committee of the Communist party of
Kyrgyzstan [CPK], A. [Absamat] Masaliyev, gained double victory in the
parliamentary elections which have just ended. He became the victor in
Kyzyl-Kiya electoral district and won a seat in the Legislative Assembly.
The Communist party list headed by him has won about 28 per cent of the
votes across the republic and, according to early reports, has won five
seats in the Legislative Assembly.

[Q] Absamat Masaliyevich, what do you think are the reasons for this kind of
success for the CPK in the elections?

[A] Unprecedented: in the last 10 years people have come to learn that the
policy of the communists was correct and aimed at tackling the tasks of
increasing the working people's well-being. People felt confident. Wages
and pensions were paid on time, and people's friendship strengthened. There
was neither corruption nor unemployment, nor organized crime. Law and order
were strictly observed.

[Q] What are the chances of cooperation between the CPK's parliamentary
faction and the "White house"?

[A] The present regime should not be afraid of communists. We are ready to
cooperate. It is necessary to carry out an honest policy, tackle acute
economic and social problems. People are tired of economic and political
cataclysms. At election meetings Kyrgyz citizens of different nationalities
unanimously said: "Bring us back the Soviet Union, our great Fatherland".
Communists are ready to play a constructive role in restoring the broken
relations with our close and distant neighbours and brothers.

[Q] The parliamentary race is over and there are presidential elections
ahead. What is PCK taking to these elections?

[A] Only one thing for the time being: everything must be strictly in line
with the constitution and the date determined by the law. As to our
candidate or support of this or that nominee, this is what the central
executive committee of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan will deal with and
it will convene a meeting soon. There, we will assess the parliamentary
election results, determine the prospects in the forthcoming elections and
our other tasks. People trust us and communists will justify their hopes.
[page 12]

Source: 'Vecherniy Bishkek', Bishkek, in Russian 15 Mar 00 p12
BBC Mon CAU 220300/** AJBA/MV