Kyrgyzstan's new parliament held its first session as the country's undisputed legislature yesterday, but it was marred by delays and protests, underscoring the country's political disorder since opposition protesters drove out President Askar Akayev last week.
The session began a day after Akayev said in an interview from Russia that he would formally resign if given legal protections -- the first sign that the longtime leader might be willing to yield power.
Akayev fled Kyrgyzstan when opposition supporters stormed government headquarters to protest disputed parliamentary elections last month and this month. The opposition said the votes were rigged to fill the 75-member parliament with pro-Akayev lawmakers, who it feared would extend Akayev's term.
Kyrgyzstan became the third former Soviet republic in the past 18 months -- after Georgia and Ukraine -- where the opposition was swept to power after mass protests against long-entrenched leaders. But the uprising here was accompanied by looting and gunfire.
After Akayev's ouster, the new parliament and the previous one were locked in a bitter dispute over which was the legitimate legislative body.
That dispute ended on Tuesday when the old parliament disbanded. However, the country's emotionally charged politics were still apparent when four lawmakers walked out of the newly anointed parliament's session yesterday when an Akayev ally tried to take his oath of office.
Late on Tuesday, Akayev re-emerged publicly for the first time since his ouster, in Russia, and told Russian television he was willing to step down on certain conditions, although he insisted he was still Kyrgyzstan's legitimate leader.
Akayev accused his foes of plotting his overthrow for months. Interim leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev said the storming of the government headquarters was never planned, and he called for an official inquiry.
Asked by Russia's state-run Channel One TV whether he was prepared to step down, Akayev replied: "Of course, of course -- if I am given the relevant guarantees and if it is in full accordance with the current legislation."
However, speaking earlier to Ekho Mosvky radio, Akayev emphasized he was "the only elected and legitimate president of Kyrgyzstan" and said he would like to return to Kyrgyzstan "to help so that the newly elected president is legitimate."
The comments suggested Akayev could resign to give legitimacy to a new leader, but also left the door open for more maneuvering by a leader who was increasingly reviled by the public as his 15 years in power wore on.
Akayev said he lacks confidence in statements from Bakiyev and law enforcement coordinator Felix Kulov offering him immunity and security, and said he would return only if parliament offered him "personal safety guarantees."
Akayev also called the legislature elected this year the "only legitimate authority," and said he would be willing to hold negotiations with new parliamentary speaker Omurbek Tekebayev, a veteran opposition leader.
Tekebayev later said that negotiations with Akayev "can only be on the transfer of power" and must involve the whole nation.
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