Former parliament speaker Omurbek Tekebaev said on May 23 that the \"tandem\" of President Kurmanbek Bakiev and Prime Minister Feliks Kulov has \"outlived its usefulness.\" Tekebaev said, \"The tandem, which was created for purposes of stabilization and the development of society, has not justified itself and has outlived its usefulness. That\'s why the country now faces the critical issue of clearly delineating the functions and duties of all branches of government.\" Bakiev and Kulov joined forces as a \"tandem\" in the lead-up to the July 2005 presidential election. Tekebaev stepped down as speaker of parliament in February after making a derogatory comment about Bakiev. (akipress.org)