U.S. Marines to assist Tajikistan in anti-terrorism training

DUSHANBE, January 25 (RIA Novosti) -The United States will instruct Tajikistan in anti-terrorism tactics during a joint training course at a military range near the capital of the Central Asian state from January 28 to March 9, the Tajik national security body said Thursday.

A group of U.S. Marines will train Tajik border guards and Special Forces units in anti-terrorism tactics and methods of defending themselves against attacks by illegal armed groups at the Fakhrabad military training center, 20 miles south of Dushanbe.

The course will be the first such event conducted jointly by the U.S. and Tajikistan.

NATO considers Tajikistan to be a reliable partner in the war against terrorism and in promoting stability in neighboring Afghanistan. The U.S. has pledged to provide nearly $14 million to bolster Tajikistan's border security and counter-narcotics programs.

Tajikistan hosts about 200 French troops and several aircraft that back NATO-led operations in Afghanistan.

Tajikistan's Foreign Ministry said January 19 that the NATO contingent would remain in the ex-Soviet Central Asian country until stability is restored to neighboring Afghanistan.