http://english.pravda.ru/russia/politics/29-05-2009/107648-russia_war-0
29.05.2009
Russia creates its own version of NATO in Central Asia to be prepared for big
war
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) follows the instructions
from President Dmitry Medvedev, who ordered to increase the military
constituent and develop the coalition force development. A strong military
group, which may appear in Central Asia in the nearest future, will make the
CSTO become an analogue of NATO. The following post-Soviet countries are
included in the treaty: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The question about the establishment of collective rapid response forces within
the scope of the organization has been practically solved. The Russian
administration is now working on a much larger project, The Kommersant
newspaper wrote. A large group of troops is to be deployed in Central Asia in
addition to Russia-Belarus and Russia-Armenia groups, which already exist
within the scope of the CSTO. A package of documents has been prepared and will
be coordinated with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan soon.
"The work is being conducted in all directions. It will be a purely military
structure that will be set up to maintain security in Central Asia in case of
attack from the outside," a source from Russia's Foreign Ministry said.
The number of servicemen of the new group is unknown. Vitaly Strugovets, the
press secretary of the CSTO, only said that the group would consist of the
units of five countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan.
The creation of the military group in Central Asia corresponds to Moscow's
objective to make the CSTO become a pro-Russian bloc, the military power of
which would be similar to that of NATO.
The National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation till 2020, approved by
President Medvedev, says that Moscow views the Collective Security Treaty
Organization as the key instrument to counter regional challenges, political
and military threats. The document also says that the struggle for the energy
sources on the Caspian Sea and in Central Asia may lead to armed conflicts in
the region.
The presidents of the OCST member countries are to sign the agreement about the
establishment of the rapid response forces within the scope of the organization
on June 14.
The decision to establish the rapid response forces was made on February 4.
Moscow will provide an airborne division and an air assault brigade - about
8,000 servicemen. Kazakhstan will provide 4,000 military men of its air assault
brigade too. Each of other allies will limit themselves to one battalion.
The military group in Central Asia will be necessary in case of a serious
threat is posed to the territorial integrity or in case of war.
The rapid deployment forces will also be used to suppress small armed conflicts
in the region.
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