Kyrgyzstan Foreign Ministry Supports Russia, Germany and France In Iraq Issue

BISHKEK. Kyrgyz Foreign Minister, Askar Aitmatov told journalists today that the Kyrgyz Government shares concerns by the USA and other members of world community over Iraq's mass destruction weapons. At the same time, the government supports a constructive stance of Russia, Germany and France on resolving the Iraqi crisis. Aitmatov emphasized that the crisis has to be resolved in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, and any military actions should be carried out only after the UN Security Council's approval.
At the same press conference, the ministry distributed a statement over criticism by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the representative of the USA at the OSCE, Douglas Davidson, on the Kyrgyz referendum held on February 2, 2003. The USA was among the Western critics of the methods of conducting the referendum, saying that timing was not enough between announcing the referendum and voting day. The ministry said that the question of amendments and changes to the Kyrgyz Constitution was debated among the eligible voters for about six months. It also emphasized that the Kyrgyz Government is ready to explain everything in regarding the new version of the Constitution, to the Commission in Venice.
Several political parties and NGOs of Kyrgyzstan also criticized the Government, saying that it made obstacles to the independent observers and falsified the cast. European Union urged recently the Kyrgyz Government to deepen cooperation between the government, opposition and civic institutions in order to continue the democratic processes in the country.