From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Thu Aug 31 2000 - 10:44:13 EDT
CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRIES HAVE NOT REQUESTED RUSSIAN MILITARY ASSISTANCE
MOSCOW. Aug 31 (Interfax) - Russia is ready to offer military aid
to Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries in combating terrorism
but so far has not received any requests to this end, Deputy Chief of
the General Staff Col. Gen. Valery Manilov told the press on Thursday.
So far, there have been no official requests, from Uzbekistan or
any other countries, he said. However, the possibilities of giving
assistance are being checked and "our possibilities analyzed."
"Help will be given as soon as a corresponding decision is made,"
Manilov said.
"It is absolutely correct to see a direct link" between the
developments in Chechnya and certain Central Asian countries," Manilov
said. "These are events of the same kind," he said.
"The removal of a seat of terrorism in Russia may increase the
threat in another direction, according to the principle of communicating
vessels," Manilov said.
"Our partners in the collective security treaty and the Shanghai
Five are taking the necessary steps to prevent this," he said.
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