The first protest action of the Kyrgyz opposition began in front of the Jogorku Kenesh (national parliament) on Old Square at 9 a.m. on Thursday. Sources in the upper echelons of the United Opposition Front For The Worthy Future claim that over 100 activists participate in the hunger strike demanding an early election of the president and political reforms. Jogorku Kenesh deputy Melis Eshimkanov is one of the strikers.

United Opposition Front leader and ex-premier Felix Kulov called a press conference in Bishkek. Journalists heard some important statements.

"We drafted a constitutional law and passed it to the state secretary," Kulov announced. "This is what it comes down to. The Constitution adopted in December is voided. We return to the November one, and adopt a constitutional law pertaining major issues of the transition period. Coalition government will wield more powers than the current one is wielding. The government will be formed by the parliament."

According to Kulov, the president must give consent to establishment of a bona fide coalition government comprising representatives of all progressive political forces. United Opposition Front leader refuses to recognize the acting Cabinet as a coalition government.

The opposition is giving the president until April 6.

Asked about the expected attendance in the April 11 rally, Kulov said that "very many people are determined to come to Bishkek." "To tell you the truth, we've encountered problems. Bringing all these masses to Bishkek and ensuring their safety is not going to be easy," the opposition leader admitted. "The protesters may number under 100,000, but there will be lots of them all the same. I'm telling you right here and now that city dwellers have nothing to fear because provocations are the last thing we need."

Kyrgyz state officials in the meantime are defecting to the opposition en masse. Colonel Alik Orozov, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council, resigned earlier today and sent an open protest letter to President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.