Kyrgyz interim govt says US ready to help finance elections.

21/4 Tass 276

BISHKEK, April 21 (Itar-Tass) - The United States is ready to render
any possible assistance, including financial aid, to help Kyrgyzstan hold
a referendum or elections, deputy prime minister in the Kyrgyz interim
government and acting finance minister Temir Sariyev said on Wednesday
after his meeting with the U.S. ambassador, Tatiana Gfoeller.
According to the AKI-press news agency, the meeting followed Sariyev's
official meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake and
was tasked to supply the U.S. ambassador with more details on possible
U.S. aid.
According to Sariyev, a would-be referendum and elections will require
some 450 million soms (some 2.2 U.S. dollars per 100 Kyrgyz soms,
according to the current exchange rate) not specified in the budget. The
Kyrgyz side has asked for a grant and received a positive reply, he said.
"I think we will get the money, since the entire world community is
interested in the cleanest elections. And we can hold them at an adequate
level to have our authorities legitimised," he added.
He also asked to "support police, primarily in terms of financing, and
to raise wages two-fold."
The sides agreed that the Kyrgyz interim government drafts a list of
possible U.S. aid. The list is expected to be prepared on Wednesday before
Sariyev leaves for consultations in Moscow.
-0-ras/gor


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