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The eruption of violence shattered the relative stability of this mountainous former Soviet republic, which houses a US military base that is a key supply center in the fight against the Taliban in nearby Afghanistan. The unrest in Kyrgyzstan did not appear likely to spread across former Soviet Central Asia, however.
The chaos erupted after elite police at government headquarters in the capital, Bishkek, began shooting to drive back crowds of demonstrators called onto the streets by opposition parties for a day of protest.
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The crowds took control of the state TV building and looted it, then marched toward the Interior Ministry, according to Associated Press reporters on the scene, before changing direction and attacking a national security building nearby. They were repelled by security forces.
The leader of the main opposition party said on the former state television channel that he had formed a new government and was negotiating with the president and demanding he step down. Government officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the claim.
The unrest began Tuesday in the western city of Talas, where demonstrators stormed a government office and held a governor hostage, prompting a government warning of "severe" repercussions for continuing unrest.
The opposition called nationwide protests for Wednesday, vowing to defy President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Bakiyev came to power in 2005 on a wave of street protests known as the Tulip Revolution. Many of the opposition leaders once were allies of Bakiyev.
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New gov't installed by Kyrgyz opposition |
Opinion:
• Foggy prospects for Kyrgyzstan
• Why large-scale riots in Kyrgyzstan?
News:
• Ousted Kyrgyz president in Belarus
• 2 killed, over 10 injured in Kyrgyzstan clashes
• Ousted Kyrgyz president leaves Kazakhstan
• Belarus ready to receive Bakiyev
• Kyrgyz interim leader has no plan for presidential election
• Bakiyev's resignation statement faked
• Kyrgyz interim gov't insists Bakiyev has resigned
• Kyrgyzstan to extend U.S. airbase agreement by a year
• Ousted Kyrgyz president arrives in Kazakhstan
• Putin holds phone talks with Bakiyev
• Gunfire breaks out at rally of Bakiyev supporters
• Talks with Bakiyev possible: interim leader
• Russian president: Kyrgyzstan on brink of civil war
• Kyrgyz interim government rejects talks with Bakiyev
• Bakiyev agrees to resign if interim gov't ensures his safety
• Bakiyev says willing to negotiate with interim gov't
• U.S. embassy not to provide political asylum for Bakiyev
• Bakiyev denies ordering police to fire at opposition protesters
• Kyrgyz interim gov't says to take action against Bakiyev
• Bakiyev: Supporters to stage protests in S Kyrgyzstan
• Bakiyev says willing to negotiate with interim gov't
• Bakiyev asks for deployment of UN peacekeepers
• U.S. contacts Kyrgyz interim government
• Kyrgyz interim government considers arresting Bakiyev
• Bakiyev: not to resign, but ready to talk
• Ousted Kyrgyz president might lose immunity
• Citizens urged to turn over weapons, ammunition
• Kyrgyz capital calms down, unrest victims buried
• Resignation of Kyrgyz ousted president urged
• Two landmines found in downtown Bishkek
• Interim Kyrgyz deputy PM flies to Russia for talks
• 75 killed, 1,520 injured in Kyrgyz unrest
• Kyrgyz president refuses to step down
• U.S. diplomat meets with interim Kyrgyz leader
• White House urges calm in Kyrgyzstan
• Putin appeals for calm, offers aid in phone call with Kyrgyz opposition leader
• Kyrgyz opposition parties take over responsibilities of president,gov't
• Russia sends extra troops to airbase in Kyrgyzstan
• Kyrgyz opposition forms new government
• No Chinese casualties in Kyrgyz riot
• Krygyz int'l airport reopened
• Kyrgyz president flees to south
• Death toll in Kyrgyz unrest reaches 65
• Kyrgyz violence continues, at least 47 killed
• Kyrgyz opposition claims to take power, form new govt
• Emergency in Kyrgyzstan as protests turn violent
• Kyrgyz PM says opposition masterminded Talas unrest
• Kyrgyz Interior Minister still alive
• Kyrgyz first vice PM taken hostage by protesters in Talas
• Kyrgyz PM vows not to negotiate with protesters
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