MOSCOW, September 24 (Itar-Tass) —— Former Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachov died of meningoencephalitis at a military hospital in Moscow on September 23, the press and information department of the Russian Defense Ministry told Itar-Tass on Monday. Pavel Grachov died at the Vishnevsky Military Clinical Hospital of the Defense Ministry in Moscow at the age of 64, it said.

The former defense minister will be buried in the Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow. A mourning ceremony for Pavel Grachov will be held at the Cultural Center of the Russian defense ministry from 11 am to 1.00 pm on September 25.

Chief of the General Staff, Gen. Nikolai Makarov has been appointed Chairman of the Commission for the organization of the funeral of the hero of the Soviet Union, General Pavel Grachov.

Nikolai Deryabin, Head of the apparatus of the Club of military commanders of the Russian Federation, said that Pavel Grachov's death was a result of heart failure. Over the past two weeks Pavel Grachov who had severe pains in the heart, had been staying at an intensive care unit of the cardiology department of the Vishenevsky hospital equipped with the latest high-tech medical apparatuses, Deryabin said.

Secretary General of the Organization for Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Nikolai Bordyuzha expressed condolences over the ex-defense minister's death. "On behalf of the CSTO secretariat and on my own behalf I express sincere condolences in connection with the untimely death of a brilliant officer, an outstanding military commander and a wonderful friend, Hero of the Soviet Union, army General Pavel Sergeyevich Grachov," the CSTO press service quoted Nikolai Bordyuzha as saying.

"The man, who passed through all the stages of the military service, setting a brilliant example of service to the Fatherland, is gone. The courage for which Grachov was awarded a high title of the Hero of the Soviet Union and his wisdom of a military commander were best displayed in the most difficult moments connected with the need to uphold and restore Russia's defense potential. Grachov contributed much of his creative energy and strength to the formation of collective security in the interests of the defense of independence and territorial integrity of the states united by the common obligations envisaged in the CSTO treaty which was signed when Pavel Grachov occupied a high state post of the Defense Minister of the Russian Federation. The bright memories of the wonderful person and our dear friend will live forever in our hearts," the CSTO chairman said.