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Kyrgyz protesters call for reform Kyrgyz protesters call for change
(about 1 hour later)
Opposition protesters are gathering in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek for a rally to demand the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Thousands of opposition protesters have gathered in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek for a rally to demand the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
Thousands of police have been mobilised in the city, with both sides warning of possible confrontation. Police in riot gear have been mobilised in the city, with both sides warning of possible confrontation.
The opposition has been calling for constitutional changes to shift some presidential powers to parliament.The opposition has been calling for constitutional changes to shift some presidential powers to parliament.
President Bakiyev has rejected their calls for immediate reforms to the constitution.President Bakiyev has rejected their calls for immediate reforms to the constitution.
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.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.
Shops closedShops closed
But opposition leaders accuse him of breaking a pledge made earlier this week that he would hand more of his powers to the parliament and cabinet. Opposition supporters began gathering from early morning, with shops shut amid fears of possible violence and looting.
Reports say between 10,000 and 30,000 people have now gathered at the main square.
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 onTULIP 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
The BBC's Natalia Anteleva says the scene is similar to the one in March 2005 when thousands protested in Bishkek during the so-called Tulip Revolution that drove President Askar Akayev from power.
Protesters tell our correspondent President Bakiyev has failed to learn the lessons from his predecessor who had faced allegations of official corruption and disputed elections.
Opposition leaders accuse him of breaking a pledge made earlier this week that he would hand more of his powers to the parliament and cabinet.
They say he was to submit the constitutional reforms to parliament on Thursday, which would have meant the immediate dissolution of the current cabinet allowing parliament to choose a new one.They say he was to submit the constitutional reforms to parliament on Thursday, which would have meant the immediate dissolution of the current cabinet allowing parliament to choose a new one.
Mr Bakiyev "broke his promise again", Melis Eshimkhanov, of the For Reforms opposition group, said. "He chose the path of conflict, and the people's only demand will be his resignation," Melis Eshimkhanov, of the For Reforms opposition group, 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.
Protesters have begun gathering around government buildings in the capital, the BBC's Natalia Anteleva in Bishkek reports.
Shops in the centre of the city have closed.
Protest organisers have predicted more than 15,000 people could take to the streets. Leaders of one group, For Reforms, said they would camp out in front of the main government building.
Wider repercussionsWider repercussions
Bishkek was the scene of wide-scale protests in March 2005 during the so-called Tulip Revolution that drove long-time President Askar Akayev from power over alleged official corruption and disputed parliamentary elections. Kurmanbek Bakiyev won a landslide victory following Mr Akayev's departure, and initially said he favoured reducing the powers of the president and transferring them to the legislature.
Kurmanbek Bakiyev went on to win a landslide victory and initially said he favoured reducing the powers of the president and transferring them to parliament and the cabinet.
But most of his former allies have since turned against him, accusing him of failing to tackle corruption and create a government based on democratic principles.But most of his former allies have since turned against 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.