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Lukashenka: Belarus has learned to combat «revolutions through social networks»

 

Belarus has learned to combat "revolutions through social networks," Alyaksandr Lukashenka said while meeting Wednesday in Minsk with members of the Council of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). BelaPAN

It is necessary to pay serious attention to the modern "information environment," because "only the blind do not see what is going on there," he said.

Mr. Lukashenka alleged that information technologies were used to destabilize the situation in some countries. Revolutions have definitely not made life in the Arab world any better, with radical Islamists winning recent parliamentary elections in Tunisia and the outcome of future elections in Egypt and Libya being uncertain, he said.

"It would be wrong to think that this is far from us and doesn't concern us," he said. "But it would also be wrong to think that we're trembling before these 'networks.'"

Attempts have repeatedly been made in Belarus this year to destabilize the situation, including through web-based social networks, Mr. Lukashenka said, citing as an example an unsanctioned demonstration staged the previous day in Minsk by opposition activists, who actually demanded the release of political prisoners.

Only four people showed up for the demonstration, Mr. Lukashenka noted, apparently to prove the Belarusian authorities’ success in combating attempts at destabilization.

"We have learned to fight this evil, and we have agreed that we should coordinate our efforts," he said. "There is no fear here, there're no bans. We're not closing the web, blogs, and pages in social networks by any means. We're not counteracting anyone. You're welcome to talk and discuss. But if these are illegal actions, we take appropriate measures."
According to Mr. Lukashenka, the leaders of the CSTO countries have agreed to exchange experience of protecting their "information environment."