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."