Russian Embassy to Kyrgyzstan functions in routine regime.

8/4 Tass 343

BISHKEK, April 8 (Itar-Tass) - The Russian Embassy to Kyrgyzstan
functions in a routine regime, the first secretary of the embassy, Viktor
Kharchenko, told Tass on Thursday.
He said none of the Russian nationals had been injured during mass
unrest on Wednesday.
On Thursday, representatives of the Kyrgyz opposition officially
announced the setting up of an interim government led by parliamentarian
Roza Otunbayeva, that will function within half-a-year. During that period
of time all state bodies of power will function as usual. Members of the
interim government have said that "police have taken the side of the
people" and that the "situation in the country is being taken under
control".
However, Otunbayeva said her allies still "keep working" in the
southern Batken, Osh and Dzhalal-Abad regions. Meanwhile, according to
updated reports, the opposition has seized the building of the state
administration and elected "people's governor" in the city of Osh. The
governor of the Dzhalal-Abad region has also stepped down.
Meanwhile, the situation in capital Bishkek is not that calm as
representatives of the interim government try to portray it. Last night
most trading facilities in the capital were ransacked. An uncontrolled
crowd of several thousand people is still in the central square near the
government building, which is smoking after the fire has been put out.
Nobody takes care of the burnt down buildings of the general
prosecutor's office and the tax inspection. The city is full of rumours,
including rumours that about 1,000 protesters have headed for the house of
Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov to raid it. Many citizens don't rule out
that next night raids will continue as there is no real force that could
stop marauders.
Most state bodies of power are paralyzed, and no police can be seen in
the streets. Municipal services of Bishkek are functioning normally. A
meeting is constantly in progress in Ala-Too Square, where people speak
about everything they want to. The only reasonable appeals are that Mayor
Nariman Tyuleyev stay in his office.
Hospitals are filled with wounded people. According to updated
reports, 75 people have been killed and about 1,000 have been wounded as a
result of unrest in Bishkek.
-0-zhe/gor


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