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Lukashenka warns against attempts to destabilize Belarus

 

Any attempts to destabilize the situation in Belarus have no chance of success, Alyaksandr Lukashenka said Wednesday during an Independence Day parade staged in front of the Hero City Minsk obelisk in the Belarusian capital city.

“We still see a number of countries and military blocs try to dictate and interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states,” said the Belarusian leader, dressed in a military uniform. “Not only force but also economic dictation and information warfare are being used as tools of pressure. Our country is being tested for endurance. However, the unity, wisdom, and strength of the Belarusian nation have repeatedly proved that any attempts to destabilize the situation in our country are doomed to failure. I am convinced that we will successfully withstand any ordeals in the future.”

Belarus is a “peaceful and open country,” Mr. Lukashenka said. “We always welcome those who are ready to work, trade and talk with us. Our nation does not have megalomania. We are always ready to consider others’ opinions and advice if they are offered in all sincerity. But we do not tolerate lies, insincerity, and dictation. Belarus’ fundamental stance is transparent and firm: relations across the world should be based on openness, mutual respect and the supremacy of international law. But honesty is the main foundation of international relations. For us, for Belarus, honesty has been and will remain a cornerstone of both domestic and foreign policy.”

“The combat readiness of the Belarusian army should always be high so that no one even tries to test us for endurance, so that no one even thinks about attacking our country,” Mr. Lukashenka said.

“Our border should be open to all good guests and closed off to any ill-minded person and offender, whoever he may be,” Mr. Lukashenka said. “Peace and proper order in Belarus are the highest value and the greatest achievement of our people and all of us should safeguard and protect them.”

More than 20 military aircraft roared overhead as troops, tanks and vehicles filed past Mr. Lukashenka and his eight-year-old son Kolya, who was traditionally dressed in a specially tailored military uniform. Both were performing a military hand salute simultaneously.

The parade, which reportedly involved more than 3,000 servicemen and cadets, featured 170 paratroopers of the Pskov-based 76th Guards Air Assault Division of Russia, which was described by the announcer as the main strategic ally of Belarus.

The procession of military vehicles, which included World War II-era Soviet vehicles and modern armored combat vehicles, surface-to-air missile systems and artillery systems, was followed by a procession of civilian vehicles such as farm tractors, self-propelled harvesters, dump trucks, tractor-trailers and buses.

The event culminated in a march of students and athletes.

Apart from the top-ranking Belarusian government officials, attending the parade were the presidents of Venezuela and Laos, Nicolas Maduro and Choummaly Sayasone.

The interior ministry claimed that more than 350,000 people attended the parade, up from 300,000 in 2012 and 150,000 in 2011, but observers said that the event could not have been attended by more than 20,000 people. // BelaPAN