Russian President Criticizes Kyrgyzstan's Vote For Parliamentary Democracy

Members of a local electoral commission empty a ballot box at a polling station in Bishkek on June 27. Photo from Radio Free Europe

Why Russia's Medvedev Is Blasting Ally Kyrgyzstan -- Christian Science Montior

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev unexpectedly criticized a government reform vote in Kyrgyzstan that passed Sunday with 91 percent support.

Turbulent Kyrgyzstan's weekend referendum on reforming its political system has won overwhelming support from the population. But Russia, Kyrgyzstan's closest ally, has unexpectedly criticized the effort.

Speaking to journalists at the G-20 meeting in Toronto, President Dmitry Medvedev poured cold water on the referendum's goal of changing Kyrgyzstan's Constitution from a president-dominated system into one in which a popularly-elected parliament holds the lion's share of power. He also warned that the tiny central Asian country faced the "threat of breaking up" and being overrun by "extremists."

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More News On Kyrgyzstan

Russia Warns Kyrgyzstan Could Implode After Vote -- New York Times/Reuters
Russia warning over Kyrgyz reform -- Montreal Gazette/The Daily Telegraph
Western Nations, Institutions Praise Kyrgyz Referendum, As Russia Expresses Doubts -- Radio Free Europe
Kyrgyzstan faces tricky political future -- AP
Kyrgyzstan vote for parliamentary democracy welcomed -- The Telegraph
Kyrgyzstan Referendum Held Under Tight Security -- Voice of America
Kyrgyzstan observers say vote peaceful -- CNN
Kyrgyzstan Readies for Parliamentary Rule After Referendum Win -- Businessweek/Bloomberg
Mass Return of Kyrgyz Refugees Disrupts Relief Effort -- New York Times
Lying Satellites and Kyrgyzstan’s Course -- Registan
After Kyrgyz Unrest, a Question Lingers: Why? -- New York Times
Timeline: Unrest In Kyrgyzstan's South -- New York Times/Reuters