Russia's Foreign Ministry expressed hope on Monday that Kyrgyzstan will gain a measure of political stability following the passing of a referendum on a new constitution with overwhelming public support.
According to preliminary results, some 91% of Kyrgyz voters approved changes to the constitution that reduce the president's powers and make Kyrgyzstan a parliamentary republic. Voters also endorsed interim leader Roza Otunbayeva as president for the transitional period until December 31, 2011.
"We expect the Kyrgyz Central Election Commission to announce official results of the referendum in the next few days, and international and local observers to issue their evaluation. It is hoped that the passed referendum will contribute to the political stabilization in friendly Kyrgyzstan," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed doubts on Sunday that the model of a parliamentary republic would work in Kyrgyzstan. Speaking at a briefing after the G8 and G20 summits in Canada, he said the change was an internal affair but warned that the situation in the country could cause endless realignments of the political forces in the parliament.
Sunday's referendum followed several days of bloody interethnic riots that began in the Central Asian country on June 11. The clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks claimed the lives of more than 280 people, according to government figures, but Kyrgyz officials acknowledge that the real death toll may be 10 times higher.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the vote took place in a calm atmosphere, with no major disturbances reported. Some 7,500 police were deployed to ensure security during the poll.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, whose representatives were among some 190 international observers monitoring the referendum, praised the vote earlier on Monday.
The OSCE said the Kyrgyz authorities "should be commended for organizing a remarkably peaceful process" considering the "extremely difficult environment in which the referendum took place."
MOSCOW, June 28 (RIA Novosti)
