Kyrgyz interim leader, U.S. convoy discuss domestic situation, bilateral ties

Kyrgyzstan's caretaker President Roza Otunbayeva met with U.S. President Barack Obama's representative Michael McFaul here Wednesday to discuss the situation in Kyrgyzstan and bilateral ties.

Otunbayeva briefed McFaul on the pressing issues facing the Central Asian nation and her government's measures to bring the situation back to normal. The two sides also exchanged views over the upcoming parliamentary elections, said the interim government's press office.

They also discussed cooperation between the two countries and their multi-facet bilateral ties, including such issues as including helping the Kyrgyz people to choose a better path of democratic development, improving the nation's social and economic infrastructure, helping the situation in the South back to normal and enhancing mutual trust among various ethnic groups, said the press office.

McFaul, Obama's senior director for Russian affairs, delivered a message from President Obama, to congratulate Otunbayeva on the success of the constitutional referendum held on June 27.

In the referendum 90.5 percent of the voters approved a new constitution, which aimed to change Kyrgyzstan's existing presidential system into parliamentary system by granting substantial powers to the parliament and restricting the powers of the president.

Sworn in as the interim president on July 3, Otunbayeva, the first female to lead the country, pledged to hold parliamentary elections in the coming October. Her term would extend to Dec. 31, 2011.

The United States, currently running a military base in Kyrgyzstan, said it supports a strong government capable of preventing ethnic turmoil spreading throughout Central Asia.

Source: Xinhua