MOSCOW, January 7/ Sputnik Radio. The regional Anti-terrorist structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO RATS) is ready to help Kazakhstan if requested by the competent authorities of the republic. This is reported by RIA Novosti with reference to the statement of the structure.
The document adopted on Friday by the Executive Committee of the RATS expressed confidence that the comprehensive measures taken in Kazakhstan will make it possible to neutralize terrorists and bandits.
The anti-terrorist structure also supported the decisive actions of the leadership of Kazakhstan to ensure public safety and protect the constitutional system of the country.
The RATS expressed deep condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased Kazakh servicemen and policemen who performed their military and official duties to the end.
The headquarters of the RATS Executive Committee is located in Tashkent.
Protest actions in Kazakhstan began on January 2. The demonstrators demanded lower prices for liquefied natural gas. After fulfilling this condition, riots broke out in the country and attempts to seize government bodies were recorded.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dismissed the government on January 5 and announced that he was becoming the head of the Security Council. He stressed that all those who do not want to lay down their arms after the riots will be destroyed by Kazakh security forces.
By January 7, the Kazakh security forces returned the buildings of all city administrations and police departments to the control of the authorities. A state of emergency is in effect on the territory of the country until January 19.
The Kazakh authorities have asked for help from other CSTO members to neutralize the "terrorist threat".
The Organization has sent a collective peacekeeping force to the Republic. They will stay in the country for a limited period of time and help the Kazakh security forces in stabilizing the situation.
Earlier, Sputnik radio reported about NATO's reaction to the events in Kazakhstan.
