By empty (10/24/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)
\"The setting up of a Russian air base in Kyrgyzstan will be a deterrent to all sorts of terrorists and extremists,\" ITAR-TASS quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying at a ceremony to open the Russian air base in Kyrgyzstan today. He added: \"One should not close one\'s eyes to the threats of terrorism coming from outside\". Putin thinks that the base \"will promote effective implementation of both national and collective tasks of the allies of Russia and Kyrgyzstan within the Collective Security Treaty (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia)\".
\"The setting up of a Russian air base in Kyrgyzstan will be a deterrent to all sorts of terrorists and extremists,\" ITAR-TASS quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying at a ceremony to open the Russian air base in Kyrgyzstan today. He added: \"One should not close one\'s eyes to the threats of terrorism coming from outside\". Putin thinks that the base \"will promote effective implementation of both national and collective tasks of the allies of Russia and Kyrgyzstan within the Collective Security Treaty (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia)\". Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev said\" \"Kyrgyzstan sees cooperation with Russia as a significant factor to ensure regional and global stability\". \"It would be premature to say the situation in the world and in our region is secure. Global and regional challenges to peace and security are continuing. In such a situation Kyrgyzstan has become a key link in regional security and sees itself as Russia\'s strong political base in the region,\" the agency quoted Akayev as saying. Akayev also said \" I would like to give an assurance today that Kyrgyzstan has been and will remain a true brother of Russia\", the agency noted. (ITAR-TASS)