FORT HARRISON -- The adjutant general of the Montana National Guard plans to convene a special strategic planning committee here next week to discuss Thursday's overrun of the Kyrgyzstan government and the resignation of President Askar Akayev.

Maj. Gen. Randy Mosley will organize a team of local experts in Kyrgyz affairs who have helped Montana build a close relationship with the Central Asian country through the Partnership for Peace Program over the past eight years.

"What General Mosley has decided to do is give it a little more time and gain a little more clarity on what's going on over there," said Col. Joel Cusker, strategic planner for the Montana National Guard. "He's given us the task of putting the strategic engagement committee together this week."

Members considered thus far for the strategic planning committee include Gov. Brian Schweitzer's chief policy advisor Hal Harper; founder of the Farm in the Dell Foundation Lowell Bartels; president of Carroll College Thomas Trebon; and Maj. Dan Hash of the National Guard.

Cusker said the committee will meet after events in the Kyrgyz Republic begin to settle.

"There are too many unknowns for us to develop a cognizant plan right now," Cusker said. "This committee will provide feedback on what it knows and what its concerns are, and where it might like to see us go from here."

News reports coming out of Kyrgyzstan changed hourly Thursday. Early in the day, it was reported that protesters had stormed the presidential compound and taken hold of the seat of government.

Hours later, according to The Associated Press, opposition leader Felix Kulov had been freed from prison and acting president Akayev had reportedly resigned and fled the country.

"We'll continue to take our command and direction from the U.S. State Department," Cusker said. "We don't know who will step into power over there."

A State Department spokesman, Adam Ereli, said Wednesday that the United States had urged the Kyrgyz government to avoid violence and open a dialogue with the opposition, The Associated Press reported.

The message being sent by the United States and other nations, Ereli said, was that "violence is not an acceptable means for resolving differences."

Hal Harper, former House Speaker and current chief policy advisor for Gov. Schweitzer, said he feels confident that Montana can maintain its partnership with the Republic of Kyrgyzstan despite the current situation.

"I feel confident that we will make every effort we can to salvage the partnership program," Harper said. "What everyone needs is a good peace program. We will do our best to make sure these relationships are strengthened."

When a new president is appointed and the government reforms, Harper said, the state should move forward in continuing its relationship and exploring economic trade.

While there was familiarity in working with Akayev and other government officials, that certainty may be fading. To work with any new administration, Harper said, the state must revisit its relationship with the republic -- what terms have been discussed in the past and what progress has been made toward achieving them.

"We've got concerns for them all as human beings," Harper said. "I just don't know what else we can do at this point in time, other than to say that here are their good friends wishing them the best and that we're eager to pick up and maintain our relationship with them."

Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at 447-4086, or at mkidston@helenair.com