Kyrgyz-Uzbek Talks Held On Release Of Kyrgyz Border Guards

BATKEN, Kyrgyzstan -- Kyrgyz and Uzbek officials are holding talks on the possible release of two senior Kyrgyz border guards being held in Uzbekistan, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

The two Kyrgyz colonels were detained on August 31 by Uzbek border guards near the southern Kyrgyz village of Pulgon in the Kadamjai district, which borders Uzbekistan.

Batken Oblast administration defense and security department chief Tashtemir Eshaliev told RFE/RL the two officers were detained when they went to a checkpoint to resolve problems that had arisen after Uzbekistan closed its border crossings with Kyrgyzstan.

The border crossings were closed for three days in connection with Uzbekistan's Independence Day celebrations on September 1.