OSCE Chairman discusses situation in Kyrgyzstan with Russian, U.S. and German foreign ministers

LJUBLJANA, 25 March 2005 - In telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of Russia and Germany and the U.S. Secretary of State, OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel stressed the need for the restoration of order in Kyrgyzstan and for dialogue between all sides, leading to new elections.

The ministers exchanged views on developments on the ground and the important role of the OSCE. They reaffirmed their commitment to helping find a political solution to the crisis as soon as possible.

"It is imperative that security and stability should be restored," the Chairman-in-Office, who is also foreign minister of Slovenia, said after talking to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice late on Thursday.

The OSCE, of which Kyrgyzstan is a member, had an important role to play as the main international organization on the ground.

"The role of the OSCE cannot be to choose the new government, but to facilitate the process of dialogue, which should lead in time to new elections," Minister Rupel said. "The OSCE also stands prepared to offer its expertise and assistance in any way necessary to bring stability to Kyrgyzstan."

The Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office for the Central Asian states, Alojz Peterle, is holding consultations with political leaders in Bishkek. He will be joined on Sunday by OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis, who is an expert on Central Asia and a fluent Russian-speaker.