The former chief of the Kyrgyz presidential office, Medet Sadyrkulov, has turned down an offer to become the foreign minister.
Sadyrkulov told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz service that he met with President Kurmanbek Bakiev on January 19. He did not specify the issues discussed, but mentioned that he declined the offer to lead the Foreign Ministry.
President Bakiev dismissed Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev last week, prompting the local press in Kyrgyzstan to report that Medet Sadyrkulov would be the next foreign minister.