Bishkek boycotts CIS summit due to Lukashenka

The CIS summit in Ashgabat achieved public attention before its was opened.

Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev contributed to its notoriety, Voice of Russia reports.

The head of the republic has refused to attend the high-level event for the first time in the CIS history. Official sources name different versions. Some refer to Atambayev's busy work schedule. Others draw attention to the difficult political situation inside the country caused by the aftermath of the local elections on November 25.

Both versions seems possible, but they can hardly be called good excuses. Firstly, all presidents have busy schedules. International summits are put on the schedule beforehand. As for Atambayev, whose country is directly tied to Russia, he hardly has more important items on his schedule than work with Russia.

Kyrgyz experts initially supposes it was possible that Atambayev would not visit Ashgabat due to Belarus. By the way, Belarus is expected to take over the CIS chairmanship at the summit. Bishkek didn't forgive Minsk for its refusal to extradite former president Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his younger brother Zhanybek. They are accused of mass killings on April 7, 2010, during clashes with the opposition.