Russian Premier Beefs Up Police Protection For Baikonur

Chairman of the Russian government Mikhail Kasianov signed an instruction on arranging protection of facilities of the Baikonur space complex by organs of the interior. After collapse of the USSR Baikonur is found outside Russia's borders, in the territory of Kazakhstan. The Government Information Department told RIA Novosti on Friday that this is designed to ensure proper protection of the space complex's facilities and is done in line with the agreement concluded between the governments of Russia and Kazakhstan on cooperation between the law-enforcement organs towards the ensurance of law and order at Baikonur. The instruction lists Baikonur facilities to be obligatorily protected by the Russian interior agencies. The Russian Interior Ministry is instructed to secure in 2002 stage-by-stage putting of these facilities under the protection of the police units under the Baikonur Interior Department of the Russian Interior Ministry. In 2002 the ministry is to increase by 296 staffers the strength of the public-security police force at Baikonur.