"Mass-scale protests turning violent can benefit neither the people, nor the state. Calling people for riots and acts of civil disobedience is not the way to achieve the desired goal," Mr Ishchuk told a press conference Monday.
Kyrgyzstan's incumbent parliament has been formed through popular election, so those unsatisfied with the way the legislature is performing its duties may only change its lineup using legal means, the Russian MP pointed out.
In Mr Ishchuk's view, President Askar Akayev should now concentrate his efforts on maintaining stability and order in the country. While Opposition leaders, if they do represent the interests of certain population groups, should start meaningful and civilized talks with the incumbent government. The Opposition will not be able to achieve anything by storming government buildings, shutting down airports, and taking other violent actions, but will only create a deadlock situation. Those rocking the boat in Kyrgyzstan should think twice before they continue, Mr Ishchuk warned.
The Russian lawmaker fears that the current standoff in Kyrgyzstan will result in the nation splitting along political lines. Disintegration within the country may, in turn, lead to further escalation of world conflicts, he warned, citing Afghanistan as the most vivid example.
A colleague of his on the Federation Council's CIS Affairs Committee, Vasily Duma, also draws parallels between Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan. He, too, fears that the situation in the former Soviet republic may develop along the Afghan scenario. The population of Kyrgyzstan has a very low standard of living, and 50 percent are unemployed. Those impoverished masses are becoming increasingly desperate, and their actions may plunge the country into chaos.
Mr Duma is certain that the current popular unrest in Kyrgyzstan is a direct echo to and a new link in the chain of "velvet" revolutions across the Former Soviet Union. "I think this all is happening because there is no reaction from Russia," he said. Russian authorities must do something to preempt such revolutions in Eurasia, the MP believes. In his view, what makes the riots in Kyrgyzstan particularly dangerous is the fact that an American and a Russian military bases are deployed here.
