Russia's Recognition Of South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Had No Alternative

[Topchian Jane]

RUSSIA'S RECOGNITION OF SOUTH OSSETIA, ABKHAZIA, HAD NO ALTERNATIVE - LUKASHENKO

Interfax
Aug 28 2008
Russia

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has urged member-states
of the CIS Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to work
out a consolidated attitude to the situation around South Ossetia
and Abkhazia.

In his letter to the Russian leadership on August 28, Lukashenko
says, among other things, that "in that situation, Russia had no
other moral choice except supporting South Ossetia and Abkhazia's
appeal to recognize their rights to self-determination in conformity
with fundamental international documents", a source in the Belarusian
president's press service has told Interfax.

Lukashenko suggested putting the issue before the CSTO Collective
Defense Council, due to meet on September 5, and work out a
consolidated position, the source said.

Lukashenko assured Russia that Belarus remained its reliable and
consistent partner, the press service said.

The CSTO comprises Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.