Russian envoy calls for preventing split of Kyrgyzstan

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15/4 Tass 318

VIENNA, April 15 (Itar-Tass) - Russian envoy at the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Anvar Azimov called for
preventing the danger of the split of Kyrgyzstan or its breakup.
Speaking at a session of the OSCE Permanent Council on Thursday,
Azimov said "we proceed from the standpoint that common sense will prevail
in Kyrgyz politicians, and that a way out of the tragic situation will be
found. What happened in the country is sad and tragic and it is the
authorities in the first place that bear responsibility for it. It is
important now to prevent the real danger of the country's breaking up in
two parts - the north and the south. We believe that in this situation,
all the Kyrgyz forces must be aware of their responsibility before their
people and the state."
"Russia has been closely watching the situation in Kyrgyzstan and
believes it is very important "not to allow further violence and new
fatalities, restore law and order and return the society to a normal
rhythm of life," the envoy said.
He warned against the stepping up of the activities by radical groups,
which is fraught with Kyrgyzstan's turning into a second Afghanistan.
Russia "is ready to provide maximum assistance, in order to prevent such a
development of events," Azimov said.
The envoy welcomed the efforts made in Kyrgyzstan by special envoy of
the OSCE incumbent chairman Zhanybek Karibzhanov, and the sending to
Bishkek of the OSCE parliamentary assembly's special representative Adim
Akhmetov.
"We are confident than the coordinated moves made by representatives
of such authoritative international organizations as the UN, the OSCE the
European Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organization will
contribute to the soonest overcoming of the consequences of the crisis. In
effect, it is the first successful experience in interaction between
international bodies in assisting the settlement of conflict situations in
the post-Soviet space. Hopefully, the acquired skills in dialogue will be
needed," he said.
The Russian diplomat called for coordinating any measures of
assistance on the part of international bodies, including the OSCE, in
future dealings with Kyrgyzstan.
"The situation is extremely complicated and fragile; there is a real
prospect for the country's splitting as a result of the events that have
occurred. We all need to act most accurately and responsibly, in order to
help guide the political process into a normal vein as soon as possible,
and create conditions for resuming the stable development of Kyrgyzstan,"
Azimov said.
He expressed doubts regarding the expediency of the plans to sent to
Kyrgyzstan experts of the OSCE office for democratic institutions and
human rights.
"We believe that involving the resource of this OSCE institution may
take place when we know the election dates, and only after the discussion
of this issue by the permanent council," he said.
-0-myz/gor