RF to take into account CSTO countries` view on base in Kyrgyzstan

MOSCOW, September 3 (Itar-Tass) - Russia and Kyrgyzstan will take into
account the opinions of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation
member-countries on the creation of a joint military base in Kyrgyz
territory, CSTO Secretary-General Nikolai Bordyuzha said to reporters in
Moscow on Thursday.
"The opinions of CSTO countries regarding the idea of creating a
military base in Kyrgyzstan will certainly be taken into account. We plan
to hold consultations," he said.
"Only a protocol of intent has been inked so far," Bordyuzha said.
According to the CSTO secretary-general, central to the memorandum,
signed by Russia and Kyrgyzstan, is the deployment of a training center or
a military unit equivalent to one battalion in strength in the republic's
territory. The memorandum also envisages merger of all Russian military
units into one base, he said.
There are three Russian military facilities in Kyrgyzstan - the
airbase in the town of Kant, the naval communication center Marevo in the
Chu region and naval test center on Lake Issyk-Kul.
The CSTO comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

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