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Akayev agrees to step down
4/4/2005 9:13

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Ousted Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev meets press after he has signed the document of resignation in Moscow Apr.3, 2005. (Xinhua photo)

Ousted Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev said Sunday he has signed the document on his resignation in the Kyrgyz Embassy in Moscow.

"We have just finished talks with the Kyrgyz parliamentary delegation led by (parliament speaker) Omurbek Tekebayev. The talks proceeded in a constructive manner and demonstrated our fullmutual understanding," Akayev told a press conference in the embassy after the talks.

The negotiations resulted in a four-section document, one of which said, "the president of Kyrgyzstan announces his early resignation in compliance with his own statement," Akayev said.

The resignation ceremony will be held on Monday, he said.

The signing of the resignation document came after nearly threehours of talks between Akayev and the Kyrgyz parliamentary delegation, which arrived here earlier in the day.

Akayev, who arrived in the embassy shortly after at 3 p.m. local time (1100 GMT), first held a one-hour talk with Tekebayev. The talks were then joined by other members of the Kyrgyz delegation.

A day earlier, Akayev verbally agreed to relinquish power, a decision by a man described by Tekebayev as having "a sober view" on the situation in the country.

As head of state, "he is fully aware of his actions and has acted in the people's interests," Tekebayev said Saturday.

Akayev, Kyrgyzstan's president for the past 14 years, was accused of rigging the recent parliamentary polls to pave the way for winning a further presidential term later this year. He fled his country late last month amid strong opposition protests.

Akayev fled his country on March 24 when opposition supporters stormed the main government building in Bishkek and has since hinted he wants to return and might resign if his security is guaranteed.

The president, as Kyrgyzstan's constitution stipulates, must address a parliament session in person to announce his resignation.

However, as Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Roza Otunbayeva has warned Akayev would be in danger if he returns to Kyrgyzstan, Constitutional Court Chairwoman Cholpon Bayekova said it would also be acceptable for a Kyrgyz parliamentary delegation to meet Akayev outside the country and bring his notarized resignation to Bishkek.

Tekebayev said upon arrival in Moscow, "Our mission has been authorized by the parliament. We've arrived here with a notary whowill document Akayev's resignation."



 Xinhua