The United States protested a raid by security forces in Kyrgyzstan on a facility where opposition newspapers are printed. The police action in the capital Bishkek early Friday followed several days of protests against the government of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

The Kyrgyz government has banned any continuation of opposition rallies after clashes broke out between police and demonstrators last night in Bishkek, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Thousands of antigovernment protesters gathered today in Kyrgyzstan's capital in the eighth day of demonstrations demanding sweeping political changes. But the list of demands grew on April 17, when a group of deputies indicated protesters would get nothing if the "disorder" in Bishkek continued.

Kyrgyz protesters demanding President Kurmanbek Bakiev's resignation continued their peaceful rallies in the capital, Bishkek, today. The speaker of the parliament, Marat Sultanov, told reporters that Bakiev was due to meet a group of parliamentarians late in the afternoon. No details were immediately available of the nature of those talks.

Some 5,000 demonstrators have assembled in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, where an opposition rally demanding early presidential elections and constitutional reforms has entered its third day, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Whatever one chooses to call it, the "Tulip" or "People's" Revolution in Kyrgyzstan in March 2005 carried hope for many of a better era. But much of the past two years has been tumultuous, characterized by protests, quarrels within the government, and increasingly abusive language between government and opposition politicians.

About 3,500 people have gathered in the center of Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, on the second day of protests demanding early presidential elections and constitutional reforms, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

A crowd estimated to number more than 10,000 people is rallying on Bishkek's central Alatoo Square to demand the resignation of Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev. Other protesters are marching toward the square from various parts of the city.

Opposition efforts to pressure the government gained momentum in several regions of Kyrgyzstan today, with continuing calls for the resignation of Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev. The protests come as hunger strikers remain camped outside the Kyrgyz parliament and organizers vow to mobilize huge numbers in the capital on April 11 to demand reforms and early elections.

It is generally agreed that the road to democracy can be rocky and winding. Kyrgyzstan, located in the heart of Asia and surrounded by authoritarian states, has had many problems in its attempts to establish democracy. Today there was another example of how complicated the democratic process can be.