BARANOVICHI, Brest Region. April 9 (Interfax-West) - Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday approved the holding of comprehensive training exercises scheduled for October 2003.
Lukashenko told journalists in Baranovichi that the upcoming exercises are expected to involve about 80 airplanes and helicopters. "These exercises will take into account the specifics of the ongoing war in Iraq. Their objective will be to provide training on how to counter a massive attack from a possible adversary," the president said.
During his visit to Baranovichi, Lukashenko visited an aircraft repairing plant.
He specified that Belarus is "not going to fight with anyone." "No one wants to go to war against us either. Thus, all talks around our country such as 'who is next?' have been started by insane people," Lukashenko said, stressing "that gun-powder should be keep dry so that the people can feel safe."
Taking questions from Interfax, the president said that "the war in Iraq has made him introduce significant changes to the agenda" of his visit to Baranovichi.
He said that the country's defense enterprises are now rising to a new level of operations.