Disputed Parliament takes over in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK - Kyrgyzstan plunged deeper into confusion Monday when a parliament, whose disputed election led to a coup ousting President Askar Akayev, assumed authority and the new leaders jostled for power.

With the impoverished Central Asian state looking increasingly rudderless, differences emerged between acting president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, named within hours of the March 24 coup that forced Akayev to flee, and Felix Kulov, a popular opposition leader in charge of security.

"Today we have two presidents ... in some areas three or four governors and up to six regional leaders in the provinces," declared the speaker of the new parliament.

"We need to stop the disintegration of authority which is threatening the integrity of state," Omurbek Tekebayev told journalists, adding that Akayev still remained the legal head of state.

"The rule of the Kalashnikov (rifle)" would take over throughout the country if the crisis was not solved, he said.

The new legislature, discredited though it is by the disputed February, March election that triggered the coup, assumed authority when the old assembly bowed out Monday.

"The old parliament has ... passed all responsibility to the new one. They do not want friction," deputy Nikolai Bailo told reporters.

The bizarre development only underscored the uncertainty among the country's new authorities.

Tekebayev told deputies that parliament's first task would be to confirm Bakiyev as prime minister.

He said nothing about Bakiyev's appointment by the old parliament as acting president, but described its decision to name June 26 for new presidential elections as illegal.

The constitutional crisis stoked tension in the mainly Muslim ex-Soviet state of 5 million where mass looting broke out after the coup, though there was calm over Sunday night.

CIVIL WAR WARNINGS

The new leaders have warned of civil war erupting and Bakiyev's supporters say a plot to kill him has been uncovered.

It was opposition allegations that the parliamentary poll was rigged that led to anti-Akayev unrest in the south of the country and then in the capital, climaxing in crowds storming government headquarters in Bishkek.

The two rival legislatures have since been meeting on different floors of the same parliament building.

Bakiyev had said the old legislature should stay on at least until the disputes over the election had been resolved.

But Kulov, a popular opposition figure released from jail by protesters immediately after government buildings were seized, set himself at odds with Bakiyev by announcing Sunday he would only obey orders from the newly-elected assembly.

Bakiyev appeared himself to be softening his position regarding the discredited election. "All the unrest was directly linked to the parliamentary elections. At the same time I am very far from saying that there was a total mess in all 75 constituencies."

He played down differences with Kulov acknowledging there were points of friction, but adding: "I would not call it a dispute." He said they would work out their differences soon.

The unrest over disputed elections followed a pattern established by two other ex-Soviet states, Ukraine and Georgia, which have also seen a change of guard following protests, although they were not violent.

Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous country bordering China, lies in a region, rich in oil and gas deposits, which is viewed with keen interest by Moscow and Washington. Both have military bases in the country.

- REUTERS