BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — Lawmakers in the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh, which was wracked by deadly ethnic violence in the spring, voted Friday against an international police deployment.
The decision followed days of protests against the decision of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe to send some 50 unarmed police advisers to help maintain stability.
It remained unclear whether Osh authorities have power to enforce the decision, but the decision laid the ground for a confrontation with the central government. Interim leader Roza Otunbayeva, who visited the city on Friday, insisted on the deployment of an OSCE consultative police team.
(AP, Interfax)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
