Kazakhstan"s parliament ratified an agreement...

The creation of a powerful military contingent in former Soviet Central Asia by members of the Russian-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is seen as Moscow"s bid to counterbalance NATO. But its formation has run into problems caused by the regional rivalries of some members.

Speaking at a plenary session, the Central Asian state"s defense minister, Bolat Sembinov, said the rapid reaction force is designed "to improve the security of the CSTO members against the backdrop of existing and potential threats," including terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, natural disasters and to enhance the organization"s role in ensuring international security.

The CSTO comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Observer status is enjoyed by Iran, India, Mongolia and Pakistan.

Five of the seven members signed the agreement in February 2009. Belarus, which initially refrained from signing the deal because of a trade

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