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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Yet Another Orange Revolution?: Bashkiria |
| 2005-04-09 |
| During mass demonstrations President of Bashkiria Mourtaza Rakhimov flees the capital Ufa accompanied by body guards, Airat Dilmoukhamedov, leader of the National Movement of Bashkiria, told the news conference entitled 'Georgia-Ukraine-Kirghizia. Next stop - Bashkiria?' on 5 April. What he dislikes about Kirghizia's take on 'orange revolution' is that Akayev was allowed to escape. Airat Dilmoukhamedov, chairman of Coordination Council of the United Opposition of Bashkortostan, Ramil Bignov, leader of the republic's Tartar National Movement and Anatoly Doubrovsky, Councillor, chairman of Political Public Association Rous told journalists about a wide-scale popular movement in Bashkiria that aims to remove present power in the autonomy. Besides 30 local social and political organisations the Council also comprises eight Federal political parties such as Communist Party, Rodina party, Liberal Democrats, Yabloko, Narodnaya Volya and Pensioners' Party. Opposition leaders said that more that 20,000 people turned up at the demonstration that took place in Ufa on 26 March to voice their opinion of the existing authorities. The resolution adopted at the rally contains demands to end withdrawal of benefits until the proper mechanism has been put in place. Utility rates must be frozen until the rise in the pensions and wages. The energy complex which currently belongs to Rakhimov's "family" has to be returned to the state. Rafael Divayev and Anatoly Smirnov, senior officials of the Interior Ministry, must be prosecuted for many incidents of brutality against civilians. President of the Republic of Bashkortostan Mourtasa Rakhimov must resign immediately for a number of violations of the Constitution and numerous breaches of Russian laws. Heads of town and district administration must be elected by direct vote. During the rally there were also demands for Russian President Vladimir Putin's resignation, opposition leaders revealed. They claim that 117,000 signatures to demand Rakhimov's resignation have been collected. A picket is to be held in Luabyanskaya Square in Moscow on 7 April which will be attended by members of all popular and political forces of the region. During the picket the list of protesters' demands will be presented to Russian President. Opposition plans to stage a protest in Ufa on 1 May which is to carry on until Rakhimov resigns. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |