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Lukashenka: West will predictably increase pressure on Belarus as presidential election approaches

The West will predictably increase its pressure on Belarus as the 2015 presidential election approaches, Alyaksandr Lukashenka said Thursday in Minsk, speaking to the heads of Belarusian diplomatic missions.

“I have said more than once that we conduct elections not for Washington and Brussels or the Kremlin but for ourselves and in strict accordance with our national regulations,” the Belarusian leader said, according to the government’s news agency BelTA.

“We should not humble ourselves and try to gain someone’s favor in order to be smiled upon and given a pat on the back,” he stressed.

It is necessary to be ready for confrontation with global players in matters relating to Belarus’ policies, Mr. Lukashenka noted. “So-called soft power will be used to the full along the entire perimeter of our borders,” he said. “Nobody will attack our country with tanks, but pressure will increase dramatically.”

“Traditional criticism for alleged human rights violations will be supplemented with accusations for the government's alleged mistreatment of various minorities,” Mr. Lukashenka said. “Undisguised pressure on the moral principles of society is on the rise. Traditional values, including family values, are being turned upside down. In addition, not everyone is happy with our choice in favor of Eurasian integration.” // BelaPAN