English

Lukashenka dismisses Moscow’s criticism over his move to offer refuge to Bakiyev

Alyaksandr Lukashenka has dismissed Moscow’s criticism over his move to grant refuge to ousted Kyrgyz leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev, saying that Russia is using two military installations in Belarus free of charge.

The Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, should remember this, the Belarusian leader told reporters after casting his ballot in the local elections in Minsk on April 25.

“Medvedev seems to have taken offense that Bakiyev is in Belarus, not in Russia,” Mr. Lukashenka said.

Following the Tulip Revolution that brought Mr. Bakiyev to power in 2005, Moscow praised the opposition led by Mr. Bakiyev “for doing much for the development of relations with Russia" and expressed regret that the uprising had been marred by violence, he said. “Compare the statements made then and today. Aren’t they evidence of double standards?” he wondered.

The Belarusian leader said that many high-ranking officials of Adzharia, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine had been given jobs in Moscow following the change of government in their countries.

“Why do they rebuke me? I just have hosted a person with whom I am on good terms,” Mr. Lukashenka said, speaking of the deposed Kyrgyz president.

During talks held in Kharkiv on April 21, Mr. Medvedev and his Ukrainian counterpart, Viktor Yanukovych, agreed that Russia would give Ukraine a $100 discount for every 1000 cubic meters of gas if the price was $330 and a discount of 30 percent if the price was different.

Later in the day Mr. Medvedev signaled the Kremlin's discontent with Mr. Lukashenka's decision to offer refuge to ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

"Real partnership is one thing and a declaration of intentions is another; reaching agreement on working seriously, meeting each other halfway, helping each other is one thing and making decisions about granting permanent residence to people who have lost their job is another," Mr. Medvedev told reporters.

The president was replying to a question about whether Belarus could count on cheaper gas from Russia.

Mr. Lukashenka told reporters at the polling station that he had not yet decided whether he would attend an informal summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which he said was expected to be held in Moscow on May 8.

The CSTO High-Level Group is to hold a meeting on April 27, he said. “They will discuss the [summit’s] agenda,” he said. “It has been decided to discuss the situation in Kyrgyzstan at the meeting of this group. If the matter is to be limited to this, there will be no point for me going there [to the summit].”

In addition, Mr. Lukashenka said, mass celebrations will be held in Minsk on May 9 to mark the Soviet Union’s victory over the Nazi Germany in WWII. “It is unacceptable for me to be outside Belarus on this day," he said. “I can sacrifice May 8 for the CSTO, but I cannot stay in Moscow for more than three fourths of the day. I should return to Minsk to take part in the military parade on May 9.”

Mr. Lukashenka lashed out the CSTO for failure to respond to the unrest in Kyrgyzstan. “Is it an efficient organization that keeps silent when there is bloodshed in one of our countries? If it continues on the path, it will have no prospects,” he said.

Only Belarus and Russia share stances on issues of mutual concern; every other country takes its own stance, Mr. Lukashenka said.

Put into operation in September 2003, the Collective Security Treaty Organization consists of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.