Kyrgyzstan: Russia Wants a CSTO Base in Batken, Say Reports

Russia is lobbying to base a battalion from the Collective Security Treaty Organization's (CSTO) rapid reaction force on Kyrgyz territory, a number of sources tell Russian news agencies.

Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin and Defense Minister Anatoly
Serdyukov paid a low-key visit to Bishkek on July 7.

A source told RIA Novosti, "They spoke about the possible expansion
and strengthening of Russian military facilities on Kyrgyz territory. The Russian side also proposed to host a Russian battalion [ . . . ] in the Batken region of southern Kyrgyzstan."

The rapid reaction task force, known as ACORN, consists of troops from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.

CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha described the new military alliance as a "fire-fighting team."

Uzbekistan refuses to join ACORN because of fears it could be used to interfere in the domestic affairs of member states.