Kyrgyzstan Update
Charles Johnson
Sun Mar 27, 2005 at 9:18 pm PST • Views: 197
The situation in Kyrgyzstan is extremely tense and unstable tonight, with threats of civil war as the new government attempts to gain control: New Kyrgyz Leaders Try to Avert Split After Coup.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (Reuters) - Kyrgyzstan’s new rulers sought Sunday to avert a split in their ranks after their lightning coup, but tension remained high with fresh warnings of possible civil war in the impoverished Central Asian state.
The March 24 coup left the ex-Soviet republic with two rival parliaments and clear strains among opposition leaders, united only by the desire to topple President Askar Akayev.
A planned protest march to Bishkek that was called off and nervousness that the capital could see another spasm of looting highlight the struggle the new leaders face in convincing a confused people their position is legitimate.
A key opposition leader Felix Kulov, the new security chief who has persuaded police to return to work and ordered them to open fire on looters, suggested he would not run against acting president Kurmanbek Bakiev in a June 26 presidential vote.
Frank says: