Opinions & Interviews
Lukashenko calls for nation’s unity as newly elected Belarusian People’s Congress chairman
MINSK, 24 April (BelTA) – It is very important not to destroy the unity of Belarusians. Belarus President, Chairman of the 7th Belarusian People’s Congress Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement in his speech at a session of the 7th Belarusian People’s Congress on 24 April, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I’ve been thinking what to say in this situation. A trite and traditional thing but a very correct one: I’d like to thank you. Not even for electing me the chairman. I was hoping and understood that you will elect me if people nominate me. I thank you for the support you have given me. The true elite of our society is in this chamber. Patriotic people, who are dedicated to our state. It is very important for me. I feel pride because you have grown into such people on my watch.”
The head of state remarked that he sees all those present as his children in a manner of speaking. “After all I have influenced the process of your becoming genuine political people, very responsible ones,” the president explained.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that the office of the Belarusian People’s Congress chairman is not a lifebelt for him despite the self-exiled opposition’s statements to the contrary.
“If people had not voted for me now or later, I would have calmed down already. Although it would not have been very pleasant. Certainly, who would be pleased in such a situation? And I would have been thinking that 30 years is quite a long time. And you and I have done a lot in this time. May those, who will rise to replace us, accomplish more. But it is your will and your decision and you will bear responsibility for it. It is your choice. I don’t cling to this office (either the first one or the second one). I simply want things to be good,” the Belarusian leader stated.
In his words, the most important task now is to aptly integrate the Belarusian People’s Congress into the political daily routine of the Belarusian society. A split of the elite was one of the reasons behind the Soviet Union’s collapse back in the day, the head of state recalled.
“If two people up top clash, it will be immediately transferred to the society. And you have to understand that people will always roll up their sleeves and will start educating the country after pining for ‘democracy’ in ‘dictatorship’. Some will divide and some will grab. I’ve been through that when I was a member of the parliament,” the president remarked.
A radical change of the state system is in progress in Belarus now. “It is very important not to destroy our unity in this fateful period of time when a lot of decisions are being made around us. And unity may crumble quickly when a split emerges at the top,” the Belarusian leader stated.
Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that delegates of the Belarusian People’s Congress should not stay silent. How will they fight for the future of the country otherwise?
“If you stay silent, then I have made a mistake. Then you will not be able to defend the country. Particularly without me. If the head of state makes a mistake, you should tell him right away: ‘You are not doing the right thing. We don’t want this war. You shouldn’t start it. We will fight only if someone steps on our soil.’ Just an example. You should act like wolfhounds. You should not allow anyone to do anything that can disrupt our unity and the strategic direction of development that you will adopt. This is the kind of the Belarusian People’s Congress that I want to see,” the head of state said.
In his words, a subjective factor is also at play. “Yes, indeed, just like you I want to preserve what we have built. I don’t want anyone to break it,” the president explained. “A very dangerous period is going on inside. Neither economy nor agriculture nor manufacturing sector. A change of generations. It is a very painful process. Young people are rising. They know everything. It is probable that they will reject the shoulders they are supposed to stand on. Just like we stood on someone else’s shoulders. But we didn’t reject them.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko also mentioned the work defense, security, and law enforcement agencies do to maintain security in the country. The head of state stated that the situation can be dangerous at times but the army and law enforcement agencies calmly and quietly do their work. Most complicated operations are left unnoticed by ordinary Belarusians.
“Everything is not simple now. We are treading on thin ice, along the knife edge. And we need no disarray today. This is why you have made the right decision. We shouldn’t divide anything today. We should build a system. Then we will get together, thank each other, and everyone will keep doing their own jobs,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “We need order and discipline. Nobody can hold on to power with a loose grip.”
“Every one of us faces complicated tasks, which acquire fateful significance in contemporary world. Including in Belarus. But time has chosen us!” the chairman of the Belarusian People’s Congress concluded.
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