CSTO troops may be used to prevent coups

According to BelTA, Alexander Lukashenko underlined that during Belarus' presidency in the CSTO important events were taking place that would definitely lead to good changes. The President remarked that CSTO development prospects were the first thing to discuss at a recent meeting with Dmitry Medvedev in Sochi. "We plainly laid down our views on the most topical issues of the informal summit that took place in Astana. If we implement everything we discussed, particularly the use of the collective response forces, it would be progressive no doubt," remarked the Belarusian head of state.

In his words, the collective rapid response forces of the Collective Security Treaty Organization may be used not only in response to external interference but also for the sake of interference inside the CSTO member states.

"We discussed the problem seriously and it would be considerable support to CSTO member states," stressed Alexander Lukashenko. He remarked: "Nobody is going to face us with open warfare but many are itching to stage a constitutional coup".

The President of Belarus underlined: "We must protect the integrity and independence of the CSTO member states".

"As far as armaments for the collective response forces are concerned, Medvedev backed Belarus' view that the forces should be armed and manned as soon as possible if we want to have an integral organization," remarked the President of Belarus.

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