BISHKEK, November 3 (RIA Novosti) - Kyrgyzstan's State TV and Radio Company agreed Friday to show the opposition's demands in a live broadcast, as mass protests continued in the Central Asian country.
The impoverished ex-Soviet republic's opposition is calling for President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and other leaders to resign, or meet their demands for constitutional reforms to cut the president's powers.
A crowd of protesters has gathered in front of Bishkek City Hall and the national TV station. Opposition activists said they intend to demand the resignation of the City Mayor as well as the president and prime minister. Around 10,000 protestors have gathered on the city's central square.
Opposition leaders told protesters outside the TV station that the company's management pledged to broadcast the demands on Friday evening.
The president said earlier that opposition forces are trying to overthrow Kyrgyzstan's government, but their attempts will fail.
"There are no forces that would be able to stage a coup. There is no threat of a coup in Kyrgyzstan, although some attempts are being made," Bakiyev said.
"I have no wish to punish anyone, but people who want constitutional reform do not act in this manner," the president said.
The prime minister said that the country's authorities had information on the opposition's plans to seize the TV station, as well as government buildings throughout the country.
Felix Kulov told parliament, "An audio recording with information on the opposition's plans to seize key government buildings in Bishkek and across the country was brought to the government's headquarters yesterday."
The leaders of the opposition For Reform movement, whose co-chairman Omurbek Kebayev allegedly features in the recording, denied the premier's accusations, calling them a "shameless provocation."
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev came to power in 2005 on the back of the 'tulip revolution,' but his rule has been marred by economic problems, high-profile murders, prison riots, and disputes over the control of lucrative businesses.
The opposition accuses Bakiyev and his government of failing to deliver on promises to crack down on corruption and raise living standards.
The For Reform leader, Almazbek Atambayev, said Thursday opposition supporters would not resort to violence.
Security has been tightened in Bishkek for fear the protests turn violent, with hundreds of riot police on duty. But Deputy Interior Minister Sherkoza Myrzakarimov assured that police "will not intervene as long as protesters comply with the law."
