Interviewed by NTB TV network on May 30, Felix Kulov of the oppositionist Front For The Worthy Future did not rule out the possibility of a political alliance between Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

The Second People's Assembly (Kurultai) will meet in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on June 2. According to Kulov, a spearhead put on the Kurultai agenda the idea of a confederation of Kyrgyzstan and Russia, its members retaining statehood and sovereignty.

"The citizens of Kyrgyzstan living and working in Russia both strengthen the Russian economy and help their fellow countrymen over here," ex-premier said. "That's how they show their support of an alliance with Russia. Legalizing it somehow is all we have to do now, and that's what the spearhead is asking the People's Assembly to do."

As far as Kulov is concerned, an alliance like that will be a thorn in the hide of "whoever has been stealing from the state." "After all, the alliance with Russia will stipulate certain forms of control with a common budget, customs policy, economic territory, and perhaps a common monetary unit. Even a common parliament, perhaps," Kulov said.

The opposition intends to collect 300,000 signatures on the petition, a must for organization of a nationwide referendum.

Bishkek Press Club approached Emil Aliyev, Deputy Chairman of the Ar-Namys party, for comments. Aliyev is convinced that an alliance like that will benefit Kyrgyzstan enormously ("the sooner it is made, the better" was how he put it). For starters, Kyrgyzstan will do away with all-permeating corruption.

"There is more to the benefits than that," Aliyev said. "Consider an open customs union of Russia and Kyrgyzstan, all sorts of customs benefits, a common accounting currency, and stimuli for economic development."