Belarusian president sceptical of CIS defence treaty

Belarusian television, Minsk
14 May 04

Presenter Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka met the
secretary-general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
made up of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and
Russia , Nikolay Bordyuzha, today. Alyaksandr Lukashenka made several
statements of principle regarding the CSTO’s future. In particular,
Belarus is puzzled by the failure of some of the organization’s
members to notify their partners about their contacts with NATO.
Lukashenka said that Belarus was prepared to further cooperation within
the CSTO’s framework provided this organization was really beneficial.

Lukashenka We will do our utmost to strengthen this organization if we
see that this organization is beneficial. Only then will we finance
activities within the framework of this organization. If we do not –
changes tack Nikolay Nikolayevich Bordyuzha , we have made a decision
of principle not to throw away money no matter what kind of union or
organization we will have. We do not have any extra money. We do not
have oil or any other carbohydrate raw materials, which is extremely
pricey. You are fully aware of this. Those who have oil and gas can
relax and do nothing. We do not have either and thus we do not intend
to throw away any money. If we see efficiency, we are ready give all
we have to ensure the security of Belarus, Russia or all other states
that will be members of this or any other organization.

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