Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty was able to have an exclusive interview with Kyrgyzstan’s interim president Kurmanbek Bakiev, in which he talks about constitutional reform, separation of powers, and the free media.

Bishkek, 27 April 2005 (RFE/RL) — Interim President Kurmanbek Bakiev said today in an exclusive interview with RFE/RL that he supports constitutional reform in Kyrgyzstan, but added that he believes the branches of power need more authority if such reforms are to be implemented.

“The power of the president elected nationwide has to be greater, because he is elected by the entire Kyrgyzstan nation,” Bakiev said. “At the same time, the president…should have his ÄproperÅ responsibilities as well. For instance, the existing constitution does not contain Äresponsibilities for the presidentÅ.”

Bakiev said that all the branches of power Äexecutive, legislative, and judicialÅ must be equal. He said it is not good to give too much power to the presidency.

Bakiev, responding to questions regarding the negatives and benefits of former President Askar Akaev’s activities, said Akaev was an effective president until 1997. Bakiev said Akaev contributed to Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to develop a market economy and to democratic reforms, but eventually most government declarations were in word only and were never carried out and the country became more and more authoritarian.

Bakiev said that former President Akaev should not escape from his country. Bakiev also stressed that mass media outlets are now free to cover all the events in Kyrgyzstan. He said there is no order from his government to censor state owned media outlets.

Bakiev also criticized the current parliament for what he characterized as heavily politicized activities. He urged the parliament to work together with the interim government.

Bakiev said that the events in Kyrgyzstan on 24 March were the result of a people’s revolution, and that there was no contribution or influence from abroad, including the United States or Russia.

I think that if he can establish a government based on these principles, all the better. On the other hand, I think a strengthened legislature would serve the country better than a strengthened president. If we look at the United States, it is exactly because our legislature is the most powerful branch that it is divided into two houses. It is also the most responsive to the will of the people — and if the elections go fairly and freely come July 10, then every district will have both the candidate it wants in office and the ability to push legislation it wants. Compare this to extensively rigged elections where many popular candidates were prevented from running, and I think we’ll see a much better Kyrgyzstan by the end of the year.