AKAYEV DOESN'T SEEK REFUGE IN TURKEY
RIA Novosti
MOSCOW, April 4 (RIA Novosti) - Askar Akayev has not applied for political asylum in Turkey, say people close to the overthrown Kyrgyz president.
"Akayev has never made such an application, and to settle in Turkey is the last thing he wants to do," a person in his immediate milieu said to Novosti.
Contrary information came from the Turkish-based NTV television news company this morning. The company was referring to Abdulla Gul, Turkey's Foreign Minister. Mr. Akayev was eager to come to Turkey, the minister said yesterday to parliamentarians of his political party, the Justice and Development, currently in office.
President Akayev appeared at the Kyrgyz Embassy to Russia today to sign his resignation from presidency, as of tomorrow. Delegates of the newly elected Kyrgyz parliament attended the ceremony.
Novosti interviewed Mr. Akayev, Friday last. He said he would like to come back to Kyrgyzstan. If he cannot, he will willingly stay in Russia, his adoptive country. "If Kyrgyzstan reinstates constitutional order, and offers life guarantees and at least the smallest possible respect of human rights, my family and I shall certainly come back, If not, I have made my choice in Russia's favor. Russia has always been my second motherland, and my two children were born here."
If he goes back, Akayev does not intend to settle in his native village, where he "even has no home", but will stay in Bishkek, Kyrgyz capital, he added.
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