Saakashvili Urges Kyrgyz Opposition to Provide Security to President Akayev

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on March 24, while commenting on the recent developments in Kyrgyzstan, that the situation has become significantly more complicated there. Reports say that the Kyrgyz opposition took control of the governmental buildings in the capital of Bishkek on March 24.

The Georgian President urged the Kyrgyz opposition to provide security guarantees for President Akayev in order to avoid violence.

?The example of Georgia was important because everything happened [during the 2003 Rose Revolution] peacefully here,? Mikheil Saakashvili told reporters.

?Georgia could mediate in resolving the crisis. Unfortunately, President Akayev rejected our proposal, saying that the opposition consists of criminals and he does not intend to negotiate with them,? he added.
 
The Georgian President?s press office reported on March 22 that Mikheil Saakashvili sent a letter to his Kyrgyz counterpart Askar Akayev in which he expressed his readiness ?to visit Kyrgyzstan and play the mediator in a constructive dialogue with the opposition.? However, the Kyrgyz President?s spokesman, Abdil Segizbayev, downplayed Saakashvili?s proposal.

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