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EXPERTS THINK RUSSIA ENCOUNTERS NEW US GEOPOLITICAL CHALLENGE IN CENTRAL ASIA

MOSCOW, March 14. /From RIA Novosti correspondent Alexander Shyshlo/. -Konstantin Zatulin, head of the Institute of the Commonwealth of Independent States- states said Thursday, Russia encountered a new US geopolitical challenge in Central Asia.

He said the US military presence in Central Asian states is dangerous not only for CIS states but to Collective Security Treaty (CST) as well. The Treaty was signed by Russia, Belorussia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia.

Dwelling on the theme: Post- Afghan Central Asia and Challenges to Russia - the Loss of Positions or New Relationship at the seminar, Zatulin stressed that though some consultations had been conducted as part of CST no adequate measures were taken.

Participants of the seminar think, Russia has made a serious strategic mistake when it left its own zone of influence in Central Asia voluntary and it is not simple to correct it.

Zatulin thinks, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are the key states in Central Asia, specialists say stability of the whole region depends upon them.

Experts are sure, Russia should pursue new policy towards these states. Temporary strengthening of ties with Kazakhstan and peaceful political divorce with Uzbekistan are to be the basis of new Russian policy.

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