MATYBULAK FIRING RANGE (Kazakhstan), October 16 (RIA Novosti) - The leaders of five ex-Soviet states attended on Friday the final stage of a rapid reaction force exercise in Kazakhstan.
The Collective Rapid Reaction Force of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) began the two-week Interaction-2009 military exercises at southern Kazakhstan's Matybulak training grounds on October 2, with more than 7,000 personnel from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan taking part.
"This is another step toward forming our response to modern threats coming from troubled regions in Central Asia and other places," Russia's Dmitry Medvedev told journalists.
Members of the military alliance of ex-Soviet states, often viewed as a counterbalance to NATO, are committed to defending each other in case of an attack.
Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan agreed to establish a rapid reaction force in February. However, Uzbekistan and Belarus have yet to sign up.
Major goals facing the CSTO rapid reaction force include efforts to enhance member-countries' security from the threats of terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking, the prevention and cleanup of natural and man-made disasters as well as involvement in international peacekeeping and security operations.
The Russian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik and Armenian leaders inspecting the drills sported new camouflage outfits designed by Russian fashion guru Valentin Yudashkin.
"The uniform is a success. I for one feel comfortable in it," Russia's Medvedev said, expressing hope that "soldiers will not freeze in it either."
