KYRGYZSTAN EXTENDS STAY OF RUSSIAN BORDER TROOPS.

The commander of Russia’s border forces, Gen. Andrei Nikolayev, yesterday completed a visit to Kyrgyzstan during which he signed a set of cooperation protocols with Defense Minister Myrzakan Subanov. One document prolongs for the duration of 1997 an earlier agreement under which Russia provides 80 percent of the financial expenses and equipment for Russian border troops in Kyrgyzstan. The troops, more than half of whose conscripts are Kyrgyzstan citizens, guard the borders with China and Tajikistan. Another document envisages the transfer in 1997 of Kyrgyz military airfields to the Russian border troops — without compensation. The third memorandum covers funding and logistical support for the Kyrgyz battalion stationed in Tajikistan under overall Russian command.

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