.Russia might participate in OCSE police mission in Kyrgyzstan - Karasin.

23/7 Tass 154

BISHKEK, July 23 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister
Grigory Karasin said on Friday Russian law enforcers might join the OSCE
police mission in Kyrgyzstan's southern regions.
"It is not ruled out that Russian police might join this mission and
Russian experts might be included in the international commission probing
into the causes of the recent conflict in the south of Kyrgyzstan,"
Karasin said, adding that Russia supports the idea of sending OSCE police
to Kyrgyzstan.
"We understand that this measure is necessary," he stressed. In his
words, one of the key requirements for OSCE police forces to be sent to
Kyrgyzstan will be good command of the Russian language. "In this context,
I see no obstacles for Russian specialists to be included in this group.
Russian and Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies have historical ties and
Russian specialists' participation in this mission will be quite natural,"
he said.
He also said the issue of Russia's participation in the OCSE police
mission and in the international investigation commission will be
discussed after he returns to Moscow from Bishkek.
"Russia has had certain doubts as regards the activity of the
international commission in Kyrgyzstan's south, but now it is obvious that
the republic's authorities are interested in the international probe into
the developments and are committed to make the investigation maximally
open and transparent," the Russian deputy foreign minister added.
The international commission is expected to begin the probe into the
conflict in southern Kyrgyzstan in August, and to publish its final report
by December. Moreover, some 50 OSCE policemen will soon arrive in the
conflict zone to offer consultative and legal help to local police.
-0-ras/usn


Delete & Prev | Delete & Next