CSTO mission is a long-awaited aid, says Roza Otunbaeva

The delegation of the CSTO Secretariat headed by Organisation’s Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha arrived on Friday in Kyrgyzstan to provide a support and assistance there after deadly clashes in the south of the country, a spokesperson to Kyrgyzstan’s interim government said.

Nikolai Bordyuzha told reporters at the joint conference with Kyrgyz interim leader Roza Otunbaeva that the CSTO council had established a working group which includes representatives from all CSTO member states. The group’s representatives will be stationed in Osh and Jalal-Abad, he said.

"We believe that Kyrgyzstan has the security and military personnel today to act in its territory on its own," Bordyuzha said. "Kyrgyz law-enforcement agencies need help and that help will be provided. CSTO member states’ presidents said they will provide as much law-enforcement assistance to Kyrgyzstan as possible," Bordyuzha is quoted as saying.

Otunbaeva, in her part, called for people to take part in the referendum, saying that bringing order and peace "is impossible without the adoption of a constitution." She said that country is ready to hold referendum to adopt a new Constitution in new peaceful situation.

“There will no longer be a state of emergency as the country gears up for a referendum on a new constitution. At the same time we will take exhaustive measures to provide security in towns and villages," Otunbaeva said.

The CSTO working group involves representatives from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan as well as officials from the Secretariat and the CSTO United Staff.

Bordyuzha said that the group will be working in Osh for 10 days. He pointed at spheres in which the assistance will be provided. Mostly these are law enforcement measures and support in sphere of transport.

Otunbaeva said that thank to CSTO mission to Kyrgyzstan, the country will receive “a long-awaited aid in which there was a great need,” as Russian media quoted her as saying. “Now the country will meet all the challenges in better conditions, in better equipment,” she added.