Belarusian Ambassador to Russia blurted out

At request of Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Vasil Dauhalyou, RIA Novosti changed a title and a lede of article about Lukashenka’s position on South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Instead of “Minsk would in the next day or two recognize the independence of Sukhumi and Tskhinvali – ambassador” the lead now reads “Belarus would in the next day or two recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia”.

RIA Novosti quotes the ambassador’s words to journalists: “We are allies and this says it all.”

The diplomat said three’s a Lukashenka’s message on this issue. The initial report of the Rusisan agency said Dauhalyou was talking about the relevant announcement that would be made by Alexander Lukashenka. This article appeared later than the information about message of the Belarusian president to the Russian one.

It says in particular that “uinder the circumstances Russia had no other moral choice but to support appeals of South Ossetian and Abkhazian peoples on the recognition of their right for self-determination in line with fundamental international documents.”

A. Lukashenka expressed an opinion that it would be appropriate to bring this issue for consideration to the Collective Security Board of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and that its member states adopt a consolidated position with respect to it. The CSTO session is scheduled for 5 September, 2008.