Kyrgyz authorities refute rumors on ethnic clashes in Karakol.

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18/6 Tass 373

BISHKEK, June 18 (Itar-Tass) -- The Kyrgyz interim government refuted
some rumors that ethnic clashes had broken out in Karakol, the
administrative centre of the northern Issyk-Kul Region, the press service
of the Kyrgyz interim government reported on Friday.
"The rumors are spread in the population of Cholpon-Ata, the district
centre of the Issyk-Kul Region that ethnic clashes had been sparked up in
Karakol. These rumors were checked by the State National Security Service
that rejected them," the press service reported.
The interim government reported that such rumors were also checked
"among Karakol residents," who also stated that the situation is calm in
the city. "Officials of the interim government called up people, who were
staying in various Karakol districts at the moment of telephone
conversations," the press service reported.
Mass disorders broke out in the southern regional centre of Osh
overnight to June 11. Many firearms fell into the hands of looters. On the
next day ethnic clashes spread on the neighboring Jalal-Abad Region. A
state of emergency and a curfew were announced in the conflict zone.
Additional forces of the Defence Ministry, the Interior Troops, the
Interior Ministry and units of vigilantes were dispatched to southern
Kyrgyzstan. Meanwhile, the Kyrgyz interim government declared a partial
mobilization in the country: the reservists, who have the experience of
combat actions, were primarily drafted in the army. However, a sporadic
fire exchange continues on the outskirts of Osh. Some reports are coming
about the snipers, who entrenched in several blocks of houses and are
waging fire at civilians. The troops and police are carrying out special
operations to detain and destroy them. According to the latest reports,
192 people were killed in the disorders and about 2,000 sought medical aid.
-0-baz/usn


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