Kyrgyz Deputy Culture Minister To Join Opposition

Kyrgyzstan's Deputy Culture Minister, Asanbek Sarybaev, announced his resignation today and said he will join the opposition.

Sarybaev told reporters that Kyrgyzstan's situation has not improved since Kurmanbek Bakiev became president in 2005.

He also criticized the adoption of constitutional amendments, signed into law in January, that return much of the authority that was taken away from the presidency in November 2006.

"First of all, the [Kyrgyz authorities] themselves publicly supported the constitution adopted in November, praising it on television and in all the newspapers. I think, it would be right if they would attempt to improve people's (social) life, instead of changing the constitution," Sarybaev said.

Meanwhile, a recently established opposition bloc has said it will organize non-stop rallies in Kyrgyzstan's regions from April 9.

"The United Front For A Worthy Future For Kyrgyzstan" says in a statement that the protests will be expanded to the capital, Bishkek, from April 11.

The group, headed by former Prime Minister Feliks Kulov, says it stands for early presidential election and "real" constitutional reforms.

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org