Statement by the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre Director on the deployment of the OSCE Police Advisory Group for Kyrgyzstan

VIENNA, 1 September 2010 - Ambassador Herbert Salber, the Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, issued the following statement today on the discussions with Kyrgyzstan's government concerning the deployment of OSCE police advisers to the country:

"We take note of the Government's interest in discussing further the Memorandum of Understanding for the OSCE Police Advisory Group. We are prepared to meet the Government's request for assistance, based on the unanimous decision taken by Kyrgyzstan and the other 55 OSCE participating States on 22 July, and deploy the Police Advisory Group at a moment's notice. We have waited for a response from the Government on the proposed modalities, and are ready to continue discussions.

"I will be in Bishkek next week to meet with Government officials to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding. We believe the Police Advisory Group will be helpful in building trust between the Kyrgyzstan's Interior Ministry units and the local communities. We remain hopeful that we will be able to resolve any outstanding issues and deploy the requested assistance to Kyrgyzstan as soon as possible."