Medvedev asks Kyrgyz Officials to Work to prevent Civil War

    The President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, said at the Brookings Institute there is a risk of disintegration of the north and the south in Kyrgyzstan and urged the Kyrgyz politicians not to admit civil war in the Republic, the agency reports citing ITAR-TASS.
    "The risk of disintegration of Kyrgyzstan in the north and the south is real. The most important thing now is not to admit civil war. If it begins, "terrorists and extremists will rush to this niche, D. Medvedev said.
    "Kyrgyzstan may become the second Afghanistan. Our goal is to help the Kyrgyz partners to find the quietest way out. Some political leaders should make the decision, which has to be in the interests of the Kyrgyz people," he underlined.
    The President of Russia noted that today the situation in the Republic is very serious. "Kyrgyzstan once again is going through the phase of illegitimate development. Unfortunately, the authorities of Kyrgyzstan are responsible for this as they did not make efforts to consolidate the society, could not agree with the opposition, and could not run economic affairs."
    Bakiyev 'must stand trial'
    Mr Bakiyev remains in his home town in the south
    The interim leader of Kyrgyzstan has said ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev should stand trial over the recent deadly political unrest.
    Roza Otunbayeva said Mr Bakiyev had "blood on his hands" and had missed his chance to leave the country.
    Mr Bakiyev, currently in the south of the country, had said he was willing to resign if his safety was guaranteed.
    Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned Kyrgyzstan is "on the brink of civil war".
    Ms Otunbayeva was speaking after talks in the capital, Bishkek, with US Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake.
    "Bakiyev has exceeded the limits of his immunity by spilling blood and now he must be brought to trial and answer before the law," she said.
    Mr Blake is the most senior US official to visit Kyrgyzstan since fighting on 7 April left more than 80 people dead.
    He told reporters he felt "optimistic" about the steps the interim government was taking and offered US assistance.
    On Tuesday, Mr Bakiyev said he would consider resigning if the self-declared interim government could put an end to unrest in the country and guarantee the safety of him and his family.
    But the new administration in Bishkek has yet to give a response.
    'Second Afghanistan'
    Its leaders held a late-night meeting in Bishkek but made no announcement afterwards.
    Mr Medvedev has warned that Kyrgyzstan is "on the brink of civil war" and in danger of becoming a "second Afghanistan".
    Speaking to a think tank in Washington, he said: "Some political leaders will have to make a decision about their fate."
    He did not elaborate, but correspondents say the Kremlin has been quick to offer assistance to Ms Otunbayeva since she became interim leader.
    Mr Bakiyev is currently in his home town of Jalalabad in the south of the country, where he has been trying to unite support.
    The BBC's Rayhan Demytrie in Jalalabad says Mr Medvedev's statement is strong but that while the situation in the city is tense, it does not appear war-like.
    The interim government has planned a large rally in Jalalabad to demonstrate it has support in the south as well as the capital.
    But there appear to be many Bakiyev supporters in the crowd of about 1,000, says our correspondent.
    Last week's violence was the culmination of weeks of discontent over rising prices and allegations of corruption in Kyrgyzstan.
    The interim government has pledged to hold elections in six months' time, according to the BBC.