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Kyrgyzstan priest speaks of problem in restoring order

A Roman Catholic priest who ministers in Kyrgyzstan has criticised the country's interim government and army for failing to maintain order during recent inter-ethnic violence, reports Ecumenical News International.

"While the new government seems powerless and unready, the army hasn't been trained to put down unrest and defend civilians," said the Rev. Krzysztof Korolczuk, a Jesuit who administers newly formed Catholic parishes in the western towns of Jalalabad and Talas.

"It's also dominated by Kyrgyz soldiers and feared and distrusted by all sides," said Korolczuk in an interview with ENInews. "The lack of neutral institutions poses severe problems here."

The Polish-born priest was speaking as the government of acting president Roza Otunbayeva sought to establish its authority in the Central Asian republic, following violence between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbek inhabitants.

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TAGS: Kyrgyzstan Roman Catholic priest ethnic violence Rev. Krzysztof Korolczuk president Roza Otunbayeva

[07/06/2010]

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