CSTO CORF may operate in third countries only with UN authorization and third countries' permission - Russian envoy
MOSCOW. Dec 16 (Interfax) - Theoretically, the Collective Operative Reaction Force (CORF) of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) may operate outside of the zone of its responsibility but on a number of conditions, Russian Permanent Representative to the CSTO Igor Lyakin-Frolov said in an interview with Interfax.
"The initial condition is a request of the corresponding state. Also, I would like to call your attention to the fact that the CSTO makes decisions on engagement of peacekeepers in operations outside of the CSTO zone of responsibility exclusively by consensus and with authorization of the UN Security Council," he answered the question if the CORF might operate outside of territories of CSTO member countries, for instance, in Afghanistan.
Asked whether the CORF might theoretically come to Afghanistan, Lyakin-Frolov said, "Yes, this is theoretically possible but I repeat that would require an appeal of the country seeking assistance, a decision of CSTO member states made by consensus and authorization of the UN Security Council."
The question is not on the current agenda, he said. "Prospects of military operations of the CSTO on the Afghan territory are not being considered," he noted.
"First of all, there are objective reasons linked with the current situation in Afghanistan. Secondly, the CSTO has rules regulating the use of peacekeeping forces, which are hardly applicable to such a country as Afghanistan under current conditions," he said.
The full text of the interview will be posted at www.interfax.ru.