Friday, June 11, 2010

DTN News: US Concerned About Renewed Violence In Kyrgyzstan

DTN News: US Concerned About Renewed Violence In Kyrgyzstan Source: DTN News / AFP
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - June 12, 2010: The United States expressed concern Friday over renewed ethnic violence that left at least 37 people dead in southern Kyrgyzstan. "We are concerned about reports of loss of life and injuries" in the clashes in the southern city of Osh, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters. "We have been in touch with the Kyrgyz government about the violence," he said, adding that no Americans were believed to be among the injured or dead. "We are, obviously, staying on top of that situation," Crowley said. Kyrgyzstan's interim government has declared a state of emergency and slapped a curfew on southern parts of the country in the wake of the violence that also left more than 500 people wounded. Interim President Roza Otunbayeva, whose government has struggled to assert its rule over the ex-Soviet Central Asian state since taking power amid unrest in April, backed off earlier statements that authorities had regained control. Otunbayeva warned the situation was likely to deteriorate further throughout the night as government forces attempted to regain control over Osh.

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