At a meeting with CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas, the Minister of Defense of Kyrgyzstan Baktybek Bekbolotov suggested deploying a peacekeeping contingent of forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border to resolve the conflict. The head of the Defense Ministry announced it at a press conference in Bishkek.
«As you know, I recently met with CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas. I said that there would be no peace between the Kyrgyz and Tajiks. The Kyrgyz have their own version of truth, the Tajiks — their own. Until an arbitrator comes between us, there will be no peace. For example, we can deploy a small contingent of the CSTO in disputed areas to resolve several problems: to control the ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy equipment from the state border. Then we will be able to solve the political task of demarcation of the borders. This situation continues for 98 years, not 30,» he said.
The Minister of Defense criticized those who, in his opinion, are trying to stir up the situation around the agreement on the delimitation of certain sections of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border.
«The state leadership is trying to improve relations with neighbors. Issues of delimitation of the state border are well resolved with Uzbekistan. We only benefit from it. And then turmoil begins within our society. We absolutely do not need destabilization on the border with Uzbekistan now,» the minister said.
Shooting began at several sites of the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on the morning of September 16. Settlements in Leilek and Batken district came under fire. The Ministry of Health reported 206 victims, 63 people were killed. As a result of the armed conflict on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, residents of seven villages in Batken and Leilek districts, as well as Dzhekendi village in Chon-Alai district of Osh region, left their homes.
The Prosecutor General’s Office of Kyrgyzstan opened a criminal case on crimes against peace.
