(3 Oct 2001)
1. Soldiers lined up on parade ground at Russian army compound in Tajikistan near Afghanistan border
2. Various of soldiers marching
3. Soldiers standing to attention
4. Close-up of uniform showing label reading "Russia Border Unit"
5. March past by troops
5. Troops celebrating their discharge by throwing hats into air after two years obligatory service at Afghan border, as band marches past
6. Soldiers running towards and boarding armoured personnel carrier during exercise
7. Soldiers aboard personnel carrier
7. Border guard with dog during exercise
8. Personnel carrier moving in and troops getting out and taking cover during exercise
9. Soldier with machine gun hiding behind bush during exercise
10. Two men dressed as Afghani smugglers carrying mock sacks of heroin on shoulders walking stealthily through woods during exercise
11. Pretend smuggler with machine gun
12. Soldier apprehends smuggler with gun and throws to ground - pans to other soldier making assault
13. Soldiers marching mock smugglers towards personnel carrier
Various of soldiers on personnel carrier
14. Various of minesweepers checking roads during exercise
15. Various of soldier digging up anti-tank mine, removing up and taking away mine
STORYLINE:
Russian troops on Wednesday demonstrated they were ready to defend the borders of Tajikistan against any kind of attack from Afghanistan.
Attending a display of combat drills at a Russian army frontier camp some 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of the Tajik capital Dushanbe, cameras witnessed how Russian soldiers were ready to deal with an infringement of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) border.
Following a passing out parade for soldiers completing their two-year tour of duty at the Afghan frontier, troops in the Russian army border unit staged a series of drills showing how they deal with various military scenarios.
One team arrived aboard an armoured personnel carrier to intercept a mock band of smugglers attempting to bring sacks of drugs into Tajikistan, while minesweepers practised removing anti-tank mines from roads.
The Russian camp usually trains soldiers, many of whom are Tajik, to defend CIS borders against attack, but its strategic location may prove crucial as tensions increase in the area.
Assistance from CIS countries bordering Afghanistan is seen as essential in the U-S-led anti-terrorism campaign.
Russia has suggested that Tajikistan could be made available to the United Sates Air Force in the event of any military campaign against forces in Afghanistan.
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