"People have already voted with their feet for a union with Russia,” Felix Kulov says.
Photo: Sergey Mikheev
| Other Photos |
 |
|
 |
Kyrgyzstan Willing to Join Russia-Belarus Union
A Kyrgyz opposition leader on Thursday suggested creating a confederation of Russia and Kyrgyzstan. In an effort to win Moscow’s succor in his rivalry with President Kurmanbek Bakiev, Former Prime Minister Felix Kulov is willing to share with Russia national currency, budget and even parliament.
“Kyrgyz citizens who live and work in Russia strengthen its economy and help their compatriots. People have already voted with their feet for a union with Russia,” Felix Kulov told a news conference in Bishkek on Thursday. “We only have to make it official somehow.” Kyrgyzstan’s former prime minister spoke in favor of common economic space of the two countries, common budget, tax policies, currency and even parliament.
Felix Kulov is going to declare the initiative at the upcoming conference which has already been called the second national assembly of Kyrgyz citizens. The first gathering was held in Mr. Kulov’s village and attracted 500 people. The second event is expected to gather 2,500 in the capital of Bishkek. The opposition leader is going to collect 300,000 signatures in support of the union to put the issue on vote at a national referendum.
Felix Kulov is evidently determined to put up opposition against his main rival, President Kurmanbek Bakiev who dismissed him in January and broke up an really in April, arresting some of his allies.
Kurmanbek Bakiev, who has recently become more Russia-leaning, might have to come up with a similar initiative to confirm pro-Russian stance.
It is not clear how Kremlin officials will feel about the offer. Moscow is still struggling to create a union with another former Soviet republic, Belarus. But officials say that Bishkek only have to voice its bid, and it will become the third party in the union.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of June 01, 2007
|
|
|
