Russia's lower house of parliament on Friday ratified security accords with two ex-Soviet republics in Central Asia aimed at deepening cooperation between their militaries. The State Duma unanimously approved the agreement with Kyrgyzstan, which allows both militaries to use each other's military and civilian facilities. Russian lawmakers also approved a five-year military accord signed with Kazakhstan last year that will allow for joint military planning "in the use of troops at times of peace and war." That accord was approved in a 415-1 vote.
