"Tajikistan's Foreign Ministry has denied claims that it is in talks with Russia to help guard its border with Afghanistan following an attack that killed five Chinese nationals in the area. The claim of a stepped up Russian military footprint stems from a December 2 report by Reuters citing unnamed Tajik security sources that said talks were underway through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Moscow-led regional security bloc, to deploy Russian troops for joint patrols along the 1,344-kilometer border between the two countries."
"Tajik Foreign Ministry spokesman Shohin Samadi told RFE/RL in a December 3 statement that the claims were "fabricated." "We will issue an official response in the near future. By publishing this news, Reuters is providing its readers with unverified information," Samadi said. Reuters has not withdrawn its reporting and it has not commented directly on the Tajik government's denial."
Tajikistan's Foreign Ministry denied claims that talks were underway with Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization to deploy Russian troops for joint patrols along the 1,344-kilometer Tajik-Afghan border. The ministry called the claims "fabricated" and said an official response would follow, while Reuters has not withdrawn or commented on the denial. An attack launched from Tajikistan on November 27 killed five Chinese mine workers and wounded five others; Tajik authorities said attackers used firearms and a drone with an explosive device. The incident has put pressure on President Emomali Rahmon and prompted Beijing to advise citizens to leave the border area. China is Tajikistan's largest trade partner, investor, and lender.
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
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