Today, on March 15, there was a picket, which was planned to begin at 10 a.m. But, long before that, at 9 a.m. state authorities urgently organized the rehearsal of the students for the celebration of Nooruz (Holiday of spring) on the main square which leads to the Government House. Though this activity could have been done on the "Spartak" stadium, which was unoccupied. Under this reason the law enforcement bodies, militia blocked the road to the government house and did not permit to pass through. That is why the picketing people had to gather in another place, namely on the bus stop near the Agroprom building. In spite of the fact that movement on the Sovetskaya street and Prospekt Mira, which lead to this bus stop, were blocked, there were about 600 people gathered. The number of militia officers were twice as big. There were 2 deputies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs – Sadiev and Kuvatbekov, a head of Bishkek UVD (department of internal affairs) – Suranchiev, his deputies Tyablin and Aliev, heads of ROVD (district units of internal affairs), officers of the Ministry of National Security, city district prosecutors. Militia cordons were in 2 rows – in the first row there were only men in uniform, but in the second row they have armor-plated jacket, bludgeons, helmets. To the place the machine with water – catapult mechanism , the personal cohort of UVD, cohorts of the internal affairs were brought. Picketing people were standing with slogans like "False elections – false democracy", "dissolute powers – dissolute elections", "thanks to Talas people", "compliance of OSCE obligations", "Usenov was elected by people, Tokoev – by authorities", "People have chosen dignified persons, authorities chose persons alike them", "Kulov –a people’s pride" and others.

People demanded justice, with last hope in desperate, as KCHR was informed, from Talas province about 300 persons came for the last money they had. Usenov’s supporters were present in the same number. Picketing on the bus stop lasted till 12.30 p.m., then people moved to the Constitutional court. But due to fact that many from the picketing people did not believe in justice ( with ordered court decisions on Usenov’s case in Pervomai district court, and in Supreme court), they blocked Chui Prospekt. Militia cordons came there by alert. Then the picketing people decided to barrage one of the main streets – Sovetskaya. But it could not go on without provocateurs, appealing to disorder. In this chaos D. Usenov’s brother E. Usenov, D. Kalchinov (leader of campaign team) and some others were arrested, making by this picketing people to start using non-adequate measures. Resentful crowd almost ran down into militia and started demanding to free those guys, saying that they would not leave until they see them free. There were appeals of unblocking Chui Prospekt if the arrested would be released. 1,5 hours later they were informed by cellular phone that Usenov and Kalchiev were released. Then all picketing people gathered in front of Constitutional Court, appealing: "Give mandates to Usenov, Kulov, Suvanaliev!" "They are our deputies!" About 2 p.m. Court official informed that there is quasi session, after which the delegates of Kulov and Usenov would be received. People were patiently waiting, even ready to stay overnight, saying that they could not look into eyes of their neighbors if nothing would be decided. The courage, confidence of people is of note. On picket day they were hungry, which made obvious that they could not bear anymore the situation during the elections. As mark Stevens from OSCE said, it was farce not the elections. (there will be separate report on the elections held there). Mrs. Baekova, chairwoman of the Constitutional Court, did not come out.

On March 15 at 6 p.m. press-conference in the Government house should have been held with Yan Kubish (authorized person on Central Asia and OSCE Secretary General) and President Akaev. But it was cancelled. As became known, Mr. Kubish had met with Kulov and Usenov. At the OSCE office at 8p.m. a press-conference was held, where he talked about the results of his visit to Kyrgyzstan. He thanked delegates from Kara-Buura district for opportunity to get to know from them about the situation there. He had meetings with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, state counselor, President's Administration and President himself, where he openly declared that President was betrayed, President's and state images were launched. It is necessary now to maintain democratic positions in Kyrgyzstan, which are accepted throughout the world, there was no need to destroy all this when there is a possibility of going forward. No play with people's feelings is acceptable. In this regard he was also talking about preparations to presidential elections. According to him, President agrees to have round table discussions with Kulov, Usenov and NGO, which must be hold as soon as possible. Delegate from Kara-Buura told at the press-conference "we, the people of Kara-Buura, are pressured and intimidated by village administration and other officials". He told about the disorder and arbitrariness toward the electorates: students were made to collect 5 votes, votes have been already made for them beforehand, Sultanov's people (Kulov's opponent) fabricated with the ballots, everyone who took part in this unlawfulness already split between them the vacant positions, voters were made to vote under the guns, they were intimidated by shootings. The situation there is tense. About 7 000 people are picketing village administration and district administration. Hundreds of them declared starvation in protest, they say one person has stitch up his mouth. Delegate said that people will not leave until Usenov, Kulov and Suvanaliev would be rehabilitated.

Yan Kubish noted that OSCE observance mission gave rough enough assessment to the results of the 1 round, and the assessment of the 2 round will be rough as well: "we won't keep silence when violations occur, the final report, based on facts, will be given after 2-3 weeks".

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According to the information received from KCHR Coordinator in Talas province - A.Momuntaeva:

1. Chairman of the electoral commission No. 59 of constituency No. 44 (Madaniyat village) was drunk and seriously violated the laws, marked ballots as he wanted to.
2. Electoral area No. 39 of the same constituency (Kyzyl-Adyr village) - out of 900 voters quasi 283 voters voted in advance, which is not true, it is false.
3. Electoral area No. 46, same constituency No. 44 (Bakyan village) - independent observers and entrusted persons were not allowed to enter. Complaint is filed.

On March 12, 2000 at 8.20 a.m. when the voting has just began the prosecutor of Bakai-Ata district Shailobek Pazylov, without presenting any accusations, personally arrested KCHR activist, who was observing in the area No. 62 (Kyzyl Oktyabr village) of the constituency No. 44, where Kulov ran for parliament. He was released only on March 15.

On March 13 KCHR coordinator in Talas province A.Momuntaeva visited prosecutor and demanded the explanations of the arrest. But the prosecutor insulted her in rude form and refused to explain and threaten her. After the prosecutor she went to the post office to call to the KCHR Central office. She was followed by 2 militia officers who tool away her bag with materials (documents), twisted her hands, laid on bodily injures. Momuntaeva went to hospital, where she received document and she was suggested to have in-patient treatment. Medical investigation assessment was not made because they demanded document which is given only by militia and prosecutor. Of course, they do not give such document. 2 militia officers forced her into the car and brought back to prosecutor, who accused her in stealing of paper dwhile she was visiting him. Prosecutor still continues to accuse her, Momuntaeva suspects that they tried to discredit her by putting drugs. On her hands and other places there are bruises and other injures.

Momuntaeva is KCHR coordinator in Talas Province since 1997. This information and other information was sent by fax and e-mail to Mr. Dyryldaev, who was in Washington, but he did not received her. Maybe special services did all possible so that information would not reached.

In Bishkek all ROVD (district militia) units were instructed to block Government house from picketing people. Thus, during the night from March 15 to 16 metal entanglement was put. Today, on March 16 on Kurman ait celebration (religious holiday) after the Moslem prayer on the old square, people were made to leave. Government house was blocked and there were militia cordons who stayed there from night. In spite of this, picketing people from Kara-Buura (about 100 persons) from8 a.m. were on the main square Ala-Too, outcrying their displeasure in regard of President: "if he does not accept us, if nobody cares about us, we will make our own state then", "if one our djezde (sister's husband - kyrgyz language) does not accept another djezde (meaning that Kulov's and Akaev's wives are from Talas), we will not let to abuse him" and so on. On March 16 the weather has changed, starting heavy raining at 9 a.m. which turned into heavy snow. Picketing people and militia moved under the roof of nearest factory - former hosiery factory "Ilbirs". On the step there one of them read aloud their statement addressing President Akaev, Central Election Commission, Supreme Court, where they demanded to consider elections of March 12 invalid. Gradually the picket changed into meeting (rally), where everyone showed his displeasure with authorities actions. Thus, mother of 14 children told that how she was blackmailed, when people from district administration came to her and presented fee of 3000 som to be paid for the electricity, but if she would give her vote and votes of her children, she would not have to apy it. That's how she was made to vote in advance, but when her children found out about this, they became angry and declared starvation in front of district administration building. in Kara-Buura.

Picket-meeting still continues at 2 a.m. Their health condition brings in serious concern, because in such cold weather it is easily to catch a cold.

Picket of Usenov's supporters gathered at 9 a.am. near the Monument of Urkuya Salieva on the intersection of Sovetskaya street and Chui Prospekt. It lasted for 3 hours during rain and snow.