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Kyrgyz opposition to hold protest Kyrgyz opposition to hold protest
(40 minutes later)
Mass opposition protests are planned in Kyrgyzstan to call for the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.Mass opposition protests are planned in Kyrgyzstan to call for the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
Thousands of police have been mobilised as opposition supporters gather in the capital Bishkek.Thousands of police have been mobilised as opposition supporters gather in the capital Bishkek.
Earlier, the president rejected opposition calls for immediate constitutional reform, and called for a halt to the protest.Earlier, the president rejected opposition calls for immediate constitutional reform, and called for a halt to the protest.
Mr Bakiyev won a landslide victory last year, but his government is accused of failing to curb widespread corruption.Mr Bakiyev won a landslide victory last year, but his government is accused of failing to curb widespread corruption.
The opposition has been urging him to fulfil his election promises and introduce constitutional reforms that would curtail presidential powers and hand more authority to the parliament and cabinet.The opposition has been urging him to fulfil his election promises and introduce constitutional reforms that would curtail presidential powers and hand more authority to the parliament and cabinet.
They say he promised, in talks earlier this week, to make some constitutional reforms, which he would submit to parliament on Thursday.They say he promised, in talks earlier this week, to make some constitutional reforms, which he would submit to parliament on Thursday.
TULIP REVOLUTION WILTS March 2005 - Former President Akayev ousted in popular protestJuly - Kurmanbek Bakiyev elected PresidentApril 2006 - Thousands protest for end to corruption and crimeNovember - Opposition calls for constitutional reform and curbing of presidential powers Unequal returns People's views one year on
But in a short speech to parliament, Mr Bakiyev said any reforms should not be adopted in an "hour or two" and called on the opposition not to "exert pressure" on him.But in a short speech to parliament, Mr Bakiyev said any reforms should not be adopted in an "hour or two" and called on the opposition not to "exert pressure" on him.
"I'm not avoiding you, but I have to listen to other lawmakers," he told them. "If you exert pressure through rallies, you will get an adequate response.""I'm not avoiding you, but I have to listen to other lawmakers," he told them. "If you exert pressure through rallies, you will get an adequate response."
He asked them to cancel the protests and return to the negotiating table.He asked them to cancel the protests and return to the negotiating table.
Wider repercussionsWider repercussions
But opposition leader Melis Eshimkhanov said Mr Bakiyev "broke his promise again".But opposition leader Melis Eshimkhanov said Mr Bakiyev "broke his promise again".
"He chose the path of conflict, and the people's only demand will be his resignation," he told the Associated Press."He chose the path of conflict, and the people's only demand will be his resignation," he told the Associated Press.
President Bakiyev helped lead the so-called Tulip Revolution in 2005 that drove long-time President Askar Akayev from power in the impoverished Central Asian state.President Bakiyev helped lead the so-called Tulip Revolution in 2005 that drove long-time President Askar Akayev from power in the impoverished Central Asian state.
But most of his former allies have turned again him, accusing him of failing to tackle corruption and create a government based on democratic principles.But most of his former allies have turned again him, accusing him of failing to tackle corruption and create a government based on democratic principles.
Any instability in the country could have wider repercussions, the BBC's Natalia Anteleva in Bishkek reports.Any instability in the country could have wider repercussions, the BBC's Natalia Anteleva in Bishkek reports.
The only US military base in the former Soviet Union lies just outside Bishkek and is a crucial operation for supplying Nato troops to Afghanistan.The only US military base in the former Soviet Union lies just outside Bishkek and is a crucial operation for supplying Nato troops to Afghanistan.