MINSK, 6 January (BelTA) - Belarus will assist Kazakhstan in stabilizing the situation in the country, State Secretary of the Belarusian Security Council Aleksandr Volfovich told BelTA.
The state secretary noted that "on 6 January, following the request of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Collective Security Treaty Organization, in view of the threat to the national security and sovereignty of this country caused, among other things, by outside interference, the CSTO Collective Security Council, in accordance with Article 4 of the Collective Security Treaty, decided to deploy the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces to Kazakhstan for a limited period of time in order to stabilize the situation in the country. Currently, preparations are already underway for the deployment of the CSTO peacekeepers in Kazakhstan."
"Belarus respects Kazakhstan's request. The developments in the country can be described as external hybrid aggression. The situation follows the familiar scenario of a color revolution: external and related internal forces are trying to destroy the legitimate government by unconstitutional methods. We condemn the seizure of buildings in Kazakhstani cities, clashes between rioters trained abroad and law enforcement forces, death of people," Aleksandr Volfovich said. “I believe that we need to provide assistance to the fraternal people of Kazakhstan, prevent the situation from aggravating and send peacekeeping forces there. If we do not help our friends in such cases, then no one will ever help us. In the modern world, it is simply impossible to stand alone, as world experience shows.”
This decision will not contradict the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and the country's legislation, including the laws “On the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus”, “On the Status of Servicemen”, and “On Defense”. Moreover, a special law determines the procedure for sending servicemen, commanding and regular officers of internal affairs bodies and other agencies outside the Republic of Belarus to participate in activities for the maintenance of international peace and security. Their participation in such missions is specifically aimed at disengagement of the conflicting parties, the performance of police and other functions to ensure the safety of the population.
Aleksandr Volfovich emphasized that Belarusian soldiers would be sent to Kazakhstan not to fight against civilians, but to protect people and facilities.
“The head of state is vested with the right to send servicemen on peacekeeping missions. Such decisions are taken in consultation with the parliamentary committees. The military personnel and other persons can only be sent with their personal consent,” the state secretary of the Security Council said.
Belarusian peacekeepers have experience in peacekeeping operations and take a regular part in multinational peacekeeping exercises.
“The Republic of Belarus strictly follows the international obligations within the CSTO. Here, we are talking about the Dushanbe agreement of 2007. Of course, the UN Security Council will be informed about the decision. We hope, however, that the situation will be stabilized with minimum engagement of the military component,” said Aleksandr Volfovich.
