Russia OSCE envoy urges Kyrgyz authorities to stop nationalism.

VIENNA, May 6 (Itar-Tass) - Russia's OSCE envoy Anvar Azimov on
Thursday urged the Kyrgyz authorities to take measures to stop the spread of nationalism in the republic.

Azimov spoke at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on the report
by OSCE high commissioner on national minorities Knut Vollebaek on the
results of his visit to Kyrgyzstan.
"The Russian side strongly condemns manifestations of nationalism,
which have become more frequent in Kyrgyzstan, and urges the country's
leaders to take tough measures to stop them and to prevent raids and
assaults on corporate offices and dwelling houses owned by ethnic
minorities, including our compatriots," Azimov said.
The Russian diplomat shared Vollenbaek's opinion that Kyrgyzstan's
non-titular ethnic groups, including Russians, were most vulnerable in the
current situation. The consequences of the violence outbreak in Mayevka
might have been not so grave if the issue of repatriating Meskhetian Turks
to Georgia were settled more efficiently and promptly.
"We support Kunt Vollenbaek's call on the Kyrgyzstan's new authorities
to guarantee security of all citizens of the country, regardless of their
national identity, and to involve representatives of ethnic minorities in
the elaboration of basic laws, to guarantee that ethnic minorities be duly
represented in state authorities, law enforcement and other agencies,"
Azimov went on to say. "We agree that the Assembly of Kyrgyzstan's Nations
should be strengthened as an institution to become an effective tool in
defending the interests on non-titular ethnic groups."
Azimov also voiced support to Vollenbaek's position in respect of
language rights of ethnic minorities. "The state language should not be
promoted through reducing spheres of use of national languages," he
stressed.
"Apparently, the current Kyrgyz authorities are fully responsible for
maintaining harmony in relations between nations living in the republic.
And the interim government seeks to demonstrate such a responsible
approach, despite the post-crisis problems. In this connection, we are
pleased to note that the draft constitution preserves the Russian language
as the country's official language, along with the titular Kyrgyz
language, as an important means of interethnic communication," he noted.
-0-ras/gor