The US Secretary of State has discussed events in Bishkek with President Bush, and is optimistic.
“If we can take events on the ground … encourage the various parties in Kyrgyzstan to move into a process that will then lead to the election of a government and move this process of democracy forward, it will have been a very good thing,” Rice said after a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis.
Rice said she discussed Kyrgyzstan with President Bush on Thursday. The Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe is leading international efforts to promote a peaceful outcome, she said.
“Our desire is for a process that will lead to a stable outcome in which elections can be held and where this can move forward,” Rice said. “Obviously, everyone should put aside violence. There is no place for violence in a process of this kind.”
