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Lukashenka: Any calls for coup will be nipped in bud

Any calls for a coup will be nipped in the bud, Alyaksandr Lukashenka said on Tuesday while delivering his annual address to the nation and the National Assembly.

“I’m opposed to razing to the ground,” he said. “Everyone who is calling for a riot is not only an enemy of the government and the president but, above all, an enemy of our country, our people, an enemy of our unity and, consequently, the independence of Belarus.”

Mr. Lukashenka warned that authorities would put an immediate end to such manifestations of “radicalism.” “We won’t wait for provocations and clashes,” he said. “Any call for a coup, for turmoil, any propaganda of violence will be harshly nipped in the bud.”

Mr. Lukashenka expressed confidence that the entire Belarusian nation, “and not only our nation,” would support a crackdown on radical forces.

Neither the Belarusian people nor history would forgive those self-seekers who try to sow seeds of turmoil and split society to please “ill-wishers” outside the country, he said.

Mr. Lukashenka stressed that there should be an atmosphere of tolerance for various views and criticism in Belarusian society. However, violence, hatred and revolution should be viewed as completely unacceptable, he said.

“The government is ready for controlled and gradual evolution dictated by life,” Mr. Lukashenka said. “However, we’re vehemently opposed to revolutions.”

He claimed that Belarusian authorities were tolerant of “law-abiding opposition” and constructive criticism. “We’re open to any dialogue, if the good of Belarus and not private or even foreign interests is its goal,” he said. //BelaPAN