Belarus to consider ratifying post-Soviet security bloc reaction force pact
19:4725/05/2010 MINSK, May 25 (RIA Novosti) - The Belarusian parliament will consider the ratification of an agreement on the Collective Security Treaty Organization's (CSTO) rapid reaction force on May 26, the parliamentary press service said on Tuesday.
"Defense Minister Yury Zhadobin will present a draft on the ratification of the agreement on the CSTO's joint rapid reaction force," the press service said.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko denied signing the treaty to establish the force amid economic disputes with Russia last year.
However, in early May, Belarus said it would include troops to serve in the CSTO's joint rapid reaction force.
Analysts say the creation of a powerful military contingent in Central Asia reflects Moscow's drive to make the CSTO a pro-Russian military bloc to rival NATO forces in Europe.
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