Mikhail Margelov, chairman of Russia\'s Federation Council International Relations Committee, told Ekho Moskvy radio station on 3 May that Moscow might decide to withdraw its 201st Motorized Infantry Division from Tajikistan. \"Under the conditions that have arisen today, the deployment of large, fully mobilized Russian military contingents abroad is not always justified,\" Margelov said. He also predicted a serious discussion in parliament if the executive branch decides to withdraw the 201st Division from Tajikistan. According to Margelov, Russia could decide to pull out the 201st Division, which numbers some 6,000 men and has been deployed in Tajikistan since the Soviet era, because Tajikistan is setting unacceptable conditions for its continued deployment. Russia had hoped to turn the deployment into a permanent military base, but talks with Tajikistan have stalled, apparently over financial issues. (RFE/RL)