CSTO GROUPING TO BE ENLARGED 2,5 TIMES IN 2004

Collective forces of quick deployment of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will be enlarged 2,5 times in 2004, CSTO secretary general Nikolay Bordyuzha told journalists. In his words, as reported by the Caspian news agency, each member-country is to provide with an extra battalion in addition to the forces existing. At present, the grouping numbers 1,5 thousand soldiers. “The enlargement is not connected with the tension created in the region, moreover it is not supposed for launching any military operations”, – Bordyuzha said. To note, a number of fundamental documents on the activities of the CSTO joint headquarters, the forces of quick deployment as well as the issues of their operative commanding were approved at the yesterday’s sitting of the CSTO defense ministers. Let us remind that Armenia, Belarus, Kirghisia, Russia and Tajikistan serve on the CSTO. Armenian defense minister Serge Sargsian is presenting Armenia at the forum.