BELARUS, RUSSIA TO BUTTRESS JOINT ARMED FORCE: LUKASHENKO

October 3
RIA Novosti

BORISOV, BELARUS, October 3 (RIA Novosti) – Belarus and Russia are
determined to strengthen their joint armed contingent, President
Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus said to the media, yesterday, during a
Motherland Shield 2004 military exercise, underway in his country.

“Not only Belarus but Russia-at last-has come up with very impressive
initiatives to build up the Belarussian-Russian joint contingent,” he
said. That will concern all aspects of the effort-from building up all
arms and services to updating arsenals. “Blueprints are already
available.”

The Belarussian Army will make the contingent kernel, to be reinforced
by Russians in case of a conflict. The Belarussian Army is
battle-ready and “at an extremely high level”, reassured the
President.

As for his country’s contribution to the Collective Security Treaty
Organisation, which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Russia and Tajikistan, Mr. Lukashenko had the following to say:

“First, some people are out to make a good thing out of Belarus or
Russia. We are showing them all that we are not all on our own.” Then,
Belarus has it for top priority to preserve its unity with Russia,
that is to base on the joint contingent.

“We have been invited to join the Collective Security Treaty
Organisation, and we are honestly coping with our duties on it. We are
Organisation members. That’s what matters. We have an organisation
which other countries, presently outside it, may join if necessary.”

President Lukashenko deems it necessary for Belarus and Russia to
revive the military-industrial complex of the Soviet years.

“That will be a much easier job if Russia consents to it. If not, we
shall have to update many things singlehanded,” he remarked.

“Belarus is to finish modernising the arsenals of all its military
units, big and small, within the next five years,” added the
President.

With that aim in view, Belarus has established a Military-Industrial
Committee, which subordinates all military-oriented industrial
companies. “We have by now learned to update everything, be it
helicopters, planes or armoured vehicles, and it costs us less than
buying new arsenals.”

As for a structural Belarussian army reform, it is as good as finished
now, said the President.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress