Kyrgyz Defense Ministry press service head Merbek Koilubaev predicted that Kyrgyz citizens will want to serve in the Russian armed forces on a contract basis now that Russia has decided to accept volunteers from other CIS countries. Koilubaev said he expects the Russian air base that is being set up at Kant in northern Kyrgyzstan will attract Kyrgyz military pilots. He said he expects there will be volunteers from other branches of the military as well. He added that it will not be difficult for Kyrgyz citizens to serve in the Russian military, presumably because they already speak Russian, and the two countries have already taken steps to ensure that Kyrgyz wishing to enter into such contracts will legally be able to do so. (Interfax)