By empty (6/30/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)
A Kyrgyz opposition movement comprising parliamentarians, human rights activists and opposition political figures that is seeking the resignation of President Askar Akaev issued a statement on 30 June protesting a law adopted by the lower house of parliament last week that would grant special privileges to Akaev after he leaves office. The statement asserted that the life-long privileges for Akaev and his family, including retention of government-owned housing and the use of a car and driver, would require significant expenditures of public funds. Opposition parliamentarian Azimbek Beknazarov, who heads the movement for the president\'s resignation, was quoted as calling the law \"anticonstitutional and antidemocratic.
A Kyrgyz opposition movement comprising parliamentarians, human rights activists and opposition political figures that is seeking the resignation of President Askar Akaev issued a statement on 30 June protesting a law adopted by the lower house of parliament last week that would grant special privileges to Akaev after he leaves office. The statement asserted that the life-long privileges for Akaev and his family, including retention of government-owned housing and the use of a car and driver, would require significant expenditures of public funds. Opposition parliamentarian Azimbek Beknazarov, who heads the movement for the president\'s resignation, was quoted as calling the law \"anticonstitutional and antidemocratic.\" He also objected to granting Akaev and his family life-long immunity from prosecution. The benefits are not intended to apply to future presidents, but only to Akaev as the first head of state of independent Kyrgyzstan in recognition of his \"historic mission,\" and to two former first secretaries of the Soviet-era Communist Party of Kirghizia who are now members of parliament. (RIA-Novosti)