MOSCOW, July 5 (RIA Novosti) - Further developments in Uzbekistan similar to the May 12-13 turmoil in Andizhan could destabilize Central Asia, the secretary general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) said Tuesday.
Nikolai Bordyuzha said Uzbekistan was a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional country. "If an ethnic conflict breaks out it will be difficult to guarantee security," he added.
He also said that similar events could not happen in Kazakhstan.
"Kazakhstan, like any other country, has opposition, but this cannot lead to turmoil."
"Destabilization in Kyrgyzstan is also impossible," he added. "Two leaders have formed an alliance there [for Sunday's presidential elections], and they will hold elections and maintain stability."
Accordingly, Russia does not need a military base in the Kyrgyz second largest city Osh bordering on the Fergana Valley, Bordyuzha said. The Uzbek region saw an armed revolt organized by radical Moslems May 12-13. According to the Uzbek Prosecutor General, 176 people were killed.
"Opening a base [in Osh] would do Russia only harm," Bordyuzha said.
He added that the CSTO had not interfered in the events in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Russia has already deployed a base in Kyrgyzstan (in Kant, 30 kilometers east of the capital, Bishkek) and in Tajikistan (near the capital, Dushanbe).
"This is sufficient," Bordyuzha said.
