OSCE Chairman's representative urges NGOs in Kyrgyzstan to play active role in political process

BISHKEK, 7 April 2005 - The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office for Central Asia, Alojz Peterle, urged NGOs in Kyrgyzstan on Thursday to play an active role in the political process in their country to ensure continued progress in democratisation.

"The active participation of civil society is very important for the success of the democratic process," he said after consultations with NGO representatives in the Kyrgyz capital.

Mr Peterle, accompanied by the Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre Ambassador Lamberto Zannier, returned to Bishkek on Wednesday at the request of OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel to resume consultations with a broad range of political leaders, including Acting President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

He also met ambassadors of OSCE participating States accredited to Kyrgyzstan to discuss the current political situation and the OSCE's role in helping to strengthen stability and security in the country.

"The OSCE is fully committed to assisting Kyrgyzstan in ensuring stability and the maintenance of law and order," Mr Peterle said.

"In the short term, the OSCE is available to serve as a facilitator for political dialogue between different political groups. In the medium term, the OSCE can help ensure that free and fair elections take place and that continued progress is made in securing the rule of law, especially in areas such as police reform."

The OSCE could also assist with the emergence of a free and unbiased media, a precondition for democratic development in all countries, Mr Peterle added.