http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?pg=6&id=762129
MOSCOW. June 23 (Interfax) - Russian Federation Council Defense and Security Committee head Viktor Ozerov said he is in favor of servicemen from Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan helping to monitor the de-escalation areas in Syria.
"Russia, Turkey and Iran agreed during the establishment of the de-escalation areas that a procedure for maintaining security in these territories would be determined by these three countries involving servicemen from other states," Ozerov told Interfax on Friday.
"If it is not Turkey's initiative, if it is not its wishful thinking, and, as far as I understood, this initiative does not belong to Turkey alone, in this case sending servicemen of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to Syria would certainly become a positive signal on several tracks," the Russian senator said.
When asked which other CSTO countries could take part in monitoring the de-escalation areas in Syria, Ozerov mentioned Tajikistan.
"Tajikistan could do it, but it is only theoretical reasoning at this point," he said, adding that there were no concrete agreements on sending Kazakh or Kyrgyz troops to Syria either.
"Increasing the number of countries present in Syria would match the main principle articulated by Russia, namely the need to establish a broad anti-terrorism coalition," he said.
"In essence, it will be a peacekeeping operation with the participation of CSTO member countries. In such a way, servicemen from countries that are signatories to this treaty will gain experience in maintaining security in certain territories," Ozerov said.
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are predominantly Muslim countries, and, consequently, "they are well familiar with Muslims' customs and traditions and will look at the local population through this prism," he said.
"If such a decision is made, it will be received positively," Ozerov said.
Turkish media outlets said on Thursday, citing the Turkish president's assistant Ibrahim Kalin that Turkey and Russia could deploy their servicemen in Syria's Idlib governorate as part of the agreement on setting up de-escalation areas in Syria. According to this information, Russia also suggested sending Kyrgyz and Kazakh servicemen to Syria.
Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov on Friday denied reports that negotiations are under way on sending Kazakh servicemen to Syria. Kyrgyzstan also denied this information.