CSTO TO CREATE BIG GROUP OF FORCES IN CENTRAL ASIA

www.kommresant
Sep. 12, 2008

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) intends to
create a large military group of forces in Central Asia, Interfax
reported. The CSTO unites Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kirghizia,
Kazakhstan, Tadjikistan and Uzbekistan.

The group of forces in Central Asia is aimed at securing stability and
security in the region in view of the aggravation of the situation
in Afghanistan, said CSTO Secretary Nikolay Bordyuzha. "This group
of forces must be ready to repulse any threat to sovereignty of our
states," the official pointed out.

The group of forces will unite divisions of Russia, Kazakhstan,
Uzbekistan, Tadjikistan and Kirghizia. Its basis will be the CSTO
joint rapid-reaction forces of ten battalions.

Bordyuzha didn’t specify where the new group of forces will be based,
and gave no details about its strength and weapons.