OSCE Chairman appeals for support for police assistance to Kyrgyzstan

VIENNA, 30 May 2005 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, called on the Organization's 55 participating States on Monday to provide urgent funding for police assistance projects in Kyrgyzstan to help ensure stability in the run-up to presidential elections in July.

Welcoming the Acting President of Kyrgyzstan, Kurmanbek Bakiev, to a special session of the OSCE Permanent Council, he said the Central Asian republic faced complex challenges at a critical juncture in its history.

"The challenges facing Kyrgyzstan at this time are both diverse and manifold. Yet they also represent opportunities for the country to build security and stability based on the solid foundations of democracy, economic well-being and the rule of law," the Chairman-in-Office said.

The OSCE had responded quickly to developments in Kyrgyzstan and remained actively involved. Key projects had been identified in areas such as election assistance, conflict prevention and police training.

"I would like to thank those delegations which have already pledged funds to these OSCE initiatives and strongly encourage others to contribute, especially to the urgent short-term activities related to police assistance," Minister Rupel said.

"I stress that these projects address the immediate priorities and require immediate funding. The people and government of Kyrgyzstan face an urgent need of our assistance."

The Chairman-in-Office said the July 10 presidential election would mark a crucial step for Kyrgyzstan.

"The eyes of the world will be on this election, and I believe it represents a gateway to political stability based upon democratic development," he added. "Therefore, the Organization's priority is to help ensure that these elections take place in a secure and open political climate, and that the manner in which they are conducted is free and fair."

The Chairman-in-Office also appealed to Kyrgyzstan not to repatriate refugees from Uzbekistan who had sought refuge on Kyrgyz territory.

"It is my opinion that the asylum seekers currently on Kyrgyz territory must be treated according to the international commitments Kyrgyzstan has signed up to, specifically the 1951 Convention related to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. I believe that a forced return of these people would do nothing to ease an already tense situation."

Kyrgyzstan required urgent economic assistance, Minister Rupel noted. He appealed to the relevant international organizations and individual OSCE countries to do all they could to mobilise assistance and investment.