Opposition Calls off Rallies in the South

On April 5, leader of the United Front for a Worthy Future for Kyrgyzstan, Felix Kulov, announced that rallies planned in the south of the country will not go ahead. Opposition supporters have come under mounting pressure from pro-government groups and Kulov wants to avoid an all-out conflict. Opposition supporters from the south will instead be asked to come to Bishkek to take part in an open-ended demonstration starting on April 11. Earlier the United Front had planned to stage demonstrations right across the country starting from April 9. Over the last week, President Kurmanbek Bakiev’s supporters have been demonstrating in the south, strongly criticising Kulov and calling for a peaceful resolution to the confrontation. A United Front office in the southern city of Osh was attacked on April 4. Office staff were beaten up and furniture was destroyed.