OSCE Chairman's Personal Representative starts talks in Kyrgyzstan
(OSCE/Mikhail Evstafiev)Alojz Peterle, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office for participating States in Central Asia, speaking in Astana, 15 February 2005. (OSCE/Mikhail Evstafiev) Photo details
BISHKEK, 24 March 2005 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office's Personal Representative for the OSCE States in Central Asia, Alojz Peterle, arrived in Bishkek on Thursday for talks with government and opposition leaders which he hoped would help achieve an easing of current political tensions.
He was holding talks with Foreign Minister Askar Aitmatov, who confirmed the government's readiness to talk to the political opposition, when the news arrived that protesters had seized the presidential and government headquarters. The meeting with the Foreign Minister was interrupted, but Mr Peterle received confirmation that President Askar Akayev would meet him within the next hour.
Mr Peterle urged all sides to refrain from violence and to start a dialogue as quickly as possible.
He said the OSCE was ready to mediate to help achieve a peaceful solution to the current crisis.
He was holding talks with Foreign Minister Askar Aitmatov, who confirmed the government's readiness to talk to the political opposition, when the news arrived that protesters had seized the presidential and government headquarters. The meeting with the Foreign Minister was interrupted, but Mr Peterle received confirmation that President Askar Akayev would meet him within the next hour.
Mr Peterle urged all sides to refrain from violence and to start a dialogue as quickly as possible.
He said the OSCE was ready to mediate to help achieve a peaceful solution to the current crisis.