MOSCOW – A Russian military baselink mayappear in the Central African Republic, the framework agreement envisionssuch a possibility, but the issue has not been discussed so far, CARDefense Minister Marie-Noelle Koyara said in an interview with Sputnik.

“We have not yet spoken about the specific development of the base,but such a possibility is not ruled out in the framework agreement that hasalready been concluded between our countries. If the presidents, as supremecommanders-in-chief, as leaders of the nation, make the decision to deploythe base, it means our countries will agree on that, and we, as ministers,will be implementing it,” Koyara said.

She said an army training center had been established in the CAR’s Berengojointly with Russia. She said it could not be considered a Russian militarybase link , but added that peoplehad already begun to perceive it that way.

The authorities and armed groups of the Central African Republic are readyfor a meeting on settlement under the auspices of the African Union, theyexpect to be notified of the date and venue, Marie-Noelle Koyara added.

“Armed groups are ready for a meeting, we are ready for a meeting, allinterested parties are ready for a meeting, and now we are waiting for theresponse from the African Union as a coordinator, when and where it shouldtake place,” Koyara said.

The meeting on settlement of the conflict in the Central African Republicunder the auspices of the African Union should result in the developmentof a road map, Marie-Noelle Koyara said.

“The elected president chose the path of dialogue to return to peace,after which the African Union decided to aggregate all the proposalsto develop a road map to implement this path. And now the role of theAfrican Union is to send expert representatives to a joint meetingwith representatives of the CAR government,” Koyara added.

After the disarmament of Anti-balaka and Seleka in the Central AfricanRepublic, the armed groups may join official security structures, Koyarastressed.

“The main goal of this dialogue is to bring these groups to disarmament.After that, they have, in fact, two paths… Those who want may join securityagencies. These are the police, the army, the gendarmerie and thoseinvolved in forestry,” Koyara said.

Others, she said, may return to peaceful life as part of public projectsand social programs.

“One of the recommendations that we heard at the international forumin Bangui was that due to the fact that there was such a huge numberof crimes, we cannot afford a full total amnesty. Those who committedcrimes must answer for them. Therefore, our Justice Ministry has much workto divide [people] into those who may be pardoned and those not worthyof it, who may not be pardoned,” Koyara said.

The Central African Republic has been destabilized by a violent conflictbetween Christian anti-Balaka militia, Seleka faction and the governmentsince 2012. Since 2014, the country has been divided between the threegroups. In late August, Seleka and anti-Balaka militia signed a Declarationof Understanding after a Russia-brokered peace meeting in the Sudanesecapital of Khartoum. – Sputnik