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AFGHANISTAN DAILY DIGEST
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From: Ina Iankulova (iiankulova@sorosny.org)
Date: Mon Apr 28 2003 - 12:56:17 EDT
MOSCOW TO BEEF UP CONTINGENT IN TAJIKISTAN
Russian President Vladimir Putin on 27 April told commanders of 201st Motorized Infantry Division during a visit to Russia's military base on the Tajik-Afghan border that the Kremlin will soon bolster its military presence in Tajikistan, RIA-Novosti reported. Russia is believed currently to have about 10,000 troops in Tajikistan, Reuters reported, and it was unclear from initial media reports exactly how the Kremlin plans to boost that presence. "Lately our special services, including the Defense Ministry, have reported a significant increase in activities and a rebuilding of Taliban structures, Al-Qaeda's structures and so on," Putin said. "As a result, the efforts of the international coalition fighting the terrorist threat must be upgraded and stepped up.... A truly peaceful and stable Afghanistan is still a very long way away." Putin said that Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov endorsed the plan at a meeting the previous day. The two countries are expected to sign an accord before the end of May that will formally elevate the Russian military installation to a base. After his closed-door meeting with the commanders, Putin mingled with the division's troops. SS
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