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Thousands rally against Kyrgyz leader
 Thousands of protesters have rallied in Kyrgyzstan's capital demanding that the president stand by his pledges to fight crime and corruption - or quit. Making a surprise appearance at the opposition rally in Bishkek, Kurmanbek Bakiyev was booed and whistled at by about 10,000 people. "I am not Akayev, I will not run away from my people, I am not afraid," President Bakiyev said before walking away, heckled by the crowd.Kyrgyzstan has been volatile since Bakiyev came to power last year after a coup that ousted Askar Akayev. Last July, Bakiyev won the presidential election by a landslide, pledging to bring order and democracy. The opposition, led by Omurbek Tekebayev, a former speaker of parliament, demand that Bakiyev limit presidential powers as promised during the election, give more authority to parliament and the prime minister, and eradicate corruption and crime. Posted by: Fred 2006-04-30 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=150190 |