Opponents of Kyrgyzstan's interim rulers stormed several regional government headquarters Thursday, threatening the delicate peace that has reigned since the violent overthrow of the president last month. Provisional authorities are struggling to restore control over the country, particularly the southern stronghold of deposed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. He was ousted April 7 amid violent clashes between troops and demonstrators that killed at least 85 people.
If the protests again spread to the capital, Bishkek, it would be of concern to the United States and Russia, which have military bases in the Central Asian nation. "There is a danger . . . but we are doing everything we can to prevent any attempts by Bakiyev's forces to destabilize the situation in Kyrgyzstan," the interim premier, Roza Otunbayeva, said.
