BISHKEK, November 3 (RIA Novosti) - The management of Kyrgyzstan's State Television and Radio Company has canceled the live show with opposition leaders it promised earlier, a For Reform opposition movement spokesman said Friday.
Edil Baisalov said the television company's general director told him the country's leadership canceled the program.
Earlier Friday, the company agreed to air 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 else meet their demands for constitutional reforms curbing the president's powers.
Earlier Friday, it was reported that a crowd of protesters gathered in front of Bishkek City Hall and the national television 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 gathered in the city's central square.
The president said earlier that opposition forces are trying to overthrow Kyrgyzstan's government, but that their attempts will fail.
"There are no forces that will 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 television 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 will 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."
Ex-Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev told RIA Novosti that further confrontation between authorities and the opposition is fraught with tragic and unpredictable consequences.
"In the current situation, the authorities should meet the opposition halfway, seek compromises and work for a peaceful outcome. Further confrontation is dangerous, as any accidental provocation could lead to unpredictable and tragic consequences," he said.
Akayev said he does not wish his country to experience a new revolution.
He also said the Kyrgyz opposition's demands to authorities are "rather constructive" and that the opposition only demands that the authorities keep their promises.
"President Bakiyev himself declared that presidential power should be limited, and that a transfer from the presidential-parliamentary system to the parliamentary one should be made. The opposition simply demands the implementation of what Bakiyev said," Akayev said.
