CIS COUNTRIES HOLD MILITARY EXERCISE IN ARMENIA

RIA Novosti
Aug 18 2008
Russia

Moscow, 18 August: More than 1,000 Russian servicemen are taking
part in the Rubezh-2008 command-staff exercise held by the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Armenia, Col German Zhitenev,
spokesman of the Ground Troops information service, told RIA-Novosti
of Monday [18 August]. "This exercise is special in that it is being
held in the Caucasus rather than in the Central Asian region. Its
participants will train in giving military and military-technical
assistance to Armenia in case of aggression against this country. The
exercise’s concept is hypothetical, however it takes into consideration
the military-political and military-strategic situation that is taking
shape in the region," the agency was told.

Units of Armenia’s Ground Troops as wells as servicemen from Belarus,
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan as part of task force are taking
part in the exercise. "The drill in Armenia is the third stage of
the Rubezh-2008 joint CSTO exercise, which started on 18 August. The
first stage was held in Armenia is early July, the second at the CSTO
HQ in Moscow in late July. The exercise will end at a test range in
Armenia on 22 August," Zhitenev added.