Felix Kulov, leader of the United Front For Worthy Future Of Kyrgyzstan, proclaimed the structure dissolved. The Kyrgyz opposition thus admitted defeat in the confrontation with President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, at least for the time being.

Formally, Kulov's press conference yesterday was centered around harsh criticism of the recent presidential message to the nation and the draft Constitution he had suggested for the nationwide referendum on October 21. As far as Kulov is concerned, this Constitution would enable the president to usurp power in the country because Bakiyev intends to become a party leader and because the draft laws also suggested for the referendum stipulate parliamentary election by party lists alone. "The draft Code of Election suggests a return to a one-party system but the acting Constitution expressly forbids it," the ex-premier seethed. "With all seats on the parliament in his pocket, the president will concentrate all power in the country in his own hands. This pro-Bakiyev parliament will form the government and the president himself will form courts. This state of affairs is absolutely unacceptable."

Journalists present at the press conference in their turn were interested in the United Front For Worthy Future Of Kyrgyzstan the opposition leader had established. All of a sudden, Kulov pronounced all tasks of the structure accomplished. "The referendum Bakiyev proclaimed is a result of our actions. The constitutional reforms were forced on the president," Kulov said. "Dissolution of the Front does not even require a special decree or anything. Its mission is accomplished. It will be automatically dissolved. Standing before you here and now, I represent the Ar-Namys party."

General Kulov said Ar-Namys would run for the parliament in the forthcoming campaign which he expected in the matter of months. Kulov evaluated the party's chances of making the parliament as fairly impressive - and his own chances of becoming a lawmaker too. Observers suspect in the meantime that there is more than meets the eye in dissolution of the Front and concentration on Ar-Namys. They think that Kulov did not have any other option left him. Failure of the protest rallies the Front tried to organize this April has had a crippling effect on Kulov's personal image and the clout he wields. As a matter of fact, most politicians these days avoid the toppled opposition leader.

Lacking a charismatic leader, the Kyrgyz opposition found itself split. Experts do not regard it as a political force to be reckoned with anymore. Some of the ex-premier's followers keep opposing the president but halfheartedly and clearly by inertia, others became corroborators. Omurbek Suvanalieyv, formerly a senior executive of the Front, accepted chairmanship in the Department of Defense and Security of the presidential administration.

As a matter of fact, two active Front activists Kabai Karabekov and Melis Eshimkanov, did Bakiyev a favor probably without even being aware of it. These lawmakers had the Constitutional Court void two latest constitutions. It put the parliament on the verge of disbandment and enabled the president to offer his own draft Constitution and Code of Election for a referendum. The initiative is Bakiyev's these days.

Bek Orozaliyev (Bishkek), Kommersant, September 26, 2007, p. 10 © Translated by Ferghana.Ru