Alexander LUKASHENKO:
Alexander LUKASHENKO:
The example of Russia and Ukraine has learnt us to much.
The president of Byelorussia has accepted in the residence.
The correspondent of "the Russian newspaper" also has answered questions
Editions.
In the end of July of this year a name of the president of Belarus Alexander
Lukashenko on factor tsitiruemosti in means of the mass
Information of Russia and the western countries has strongly won first place.
Journalists, as they say, naperegonki discussed a subject: the lawful
Now or the illegal president at Belarus? And in this connection on
Pages of newspapers words about dictatorship, ostensibly spread have started gleaming
The official power in this rather small slavic
To the country.
It was already the second attack this year a mass psychosis in
Mass-media. The first has occurred in May when the Belarus opposition has arranged
Farce with so-called "presidential elections" which has failed
With such deafening crash, that now even opposition
Prefers to pretend, that these "elections" as though and were not.
Mail of "the Russian newspaper" has brought some puzzled letters
In this respect: people ask to explain them a true state of affairs.
"The Russian newspaper" has addressed to the president of Belarus with the request
To give interview, that our reader sincerely sympathising
To Byelorussians, has firsthand received essentially important information.
Preparation for interview has actually begun already in the car of the fast
Trains "Moscow-Minsk". Pamjatuja that international, and in
Features Russian, the press writes about extraordinary poverty much
Inhabitants of Belarus where the country has ostensibly got "Lukashenko's mode", I
Thought, that I will go in car "п п " almost one. Left not
So. The car has been hammered by passengers to the full. It was thought: and can
To be, it at all and not Byelorussians, and "new Russian"? But from
Conversations with passengers it was found out: no, all inhabitants of Belarus.
To me has, frankly speaking, carried. I the neighbour in a compartment had appeared
The nice man hardly is more senior 70 years. As it became clear on a course
Conversations (and we talked long and frankly), in the near
The past - one of the largest business executives not only
Belarus, but also the former USSR. The neighbour and now occupies the large
Post in economy RB in not state structure.
The conversation has begun with the one who and where had a rest a family this roast
In the summer. It was found out, that we had a rest during one time and in one place
- At coast of Adriatic sea, in a Slovene city-resort
portorozhe. Only I with a family - in the most modest hotel with
Half board, and my interlocutor - in the smartest and with full
Board. I speak about it so in detail because in the further
To conversation this circumstance became argument in discussion, which
Between us has happened.
And it has begun that I have asked minchanina: as is
To the people in Belarus? The answer was fast and accurate: there live the people
Poorly and in the conditions of Lukashenko's dictatorship.
It seemed to me interesting, and I there and then as spoke
Vysotsky, "with a question has got":
- Excuse, and what you understand as dictatorship? Here I have grown in
Of Bodaibo, is Lensky gold mines. There till 1956 to spit
There was no place not to get to the convict: zone circle, submachine gunners,
nadressirovannye on people of a sheep-dog. Where there the Hitlerite
To concentration camps in which as we know now, existed
The underground organisations. And the most powerful tribe in our zones know
From whom was? From anekdotchikov. Has told a word not that and not so -
Welcome for 8-10 years in camp, think there of caducity of a life.
Dictatorship.
And at you in Minsk left on the prospectus, and here you are - buy
The oppositional newspaper where in a tail and in a mane "roll" the elite
Overwhelming majority of voices of the lawful president. Where
Dictatorship? You can to me, to the journalist to specify, name it
Concrete signs and displays?.
Whether from my pressure, whether from subject ignorance, but mine
The interlocutor of examples results to me could not (or has not wanted).
- And concerning poverty, - I have returned to a subject, - I here
Has looked, who goes in the car, absolutely not cheap and not in
Business trip, as I so I have an impression, that we
Whether in Russia not too strongly we scoff at "new Russian"?
Yours "new Byelorussians", perhaps, will be more abruptly. Yes here and you,
The pensioner, so to say, had a rest on a resort in Slovenia in the summer,
Which is much more expensive than rest on Cyprus, Crete, Greece, Turkey
And so on. Whence drovishki?
We have left, however, quite good-neighbourhood. However a subject
Fuse to me, and I have decided to ask a direct question to the president
Belarus. But our conversation has begun with other plot.
- The mister the president, among the leading international political
Leaders your rating this week again, already again,
It has appeared on the top of the table. This time the question is discussed,
Whether had the right the people of Belarus in November, 1996 to accept on
Referendum of the amendment (addition) to the Constitution of republic and
To prolong on this basis period of validity of powers of the president
Belarus till December, 2001. And that actually occurred
In 1996?
The president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko: At me at that time
There were two variants. And, unfortunately, today about it all
"Forget".
The first variant - it is known: the problem decision power by.
The second variant - civilised. It is quiet, peacefully
To understand that situation. One of podvariantov this the second -
Constitutional, it is a referendum. And then, and now that who not
Agrees with results of a referendum, I would ask a question:
Why? They recognise the Constitution of 1994. And we recognise it. And
The country organic law directly speaks about a referendum. By the way, not
Only our Constitution, and any democratic state, and
Russian too, assumes and grants the right, resolves and even
Establishes the mechanism of carrying out of a referendum. So was and at us.
But what then has occurred?
Then there was a sharp collision of the president with opposition. And
Our parliament became the opposition centre, unfortunately. I this
The parliament then supported. Many deputies supported on
Elections. Has much made for lifting of their authority on eyes
The population... If to speak frankly it should become
prolukashenkovskim parliament.
But this parliament has come to power and has faced the president.
It is necessary, the truth to tell, that was to that and the objective reason. Was
Terrible itch on presidency: let's make and at us
The president. I then was the ordinary deputy, struggled with corruption,
Has been compelled to be picked this dirt - and it sufficed, - and to me was
Not before discussion of a subject of introduction of a post of the president. Institute
Those who by this time already possessed have wanted to enter presidencies
The big power, but they had not enough not simply the power, and
edinonachalnoj the authorities.
Presidencies have wanted Kebich, the leader of Communist Party, - and it then
Still existed, - chairmen of the Supreme body, were and
Present, the Mushroom, Shushkevich, and many other things. And behind each of them
There were groups of people in parliament. Here they also have pushed deputies,
And me including, on acceptance in the position Constitution about
Introduction of a post of the president of republic. And bystrenko have built
Standard base under this business.
I then solved nothing, but, I will not hide, too it seemed to me, that
It would be necessary to enter a post of the president.
But here that is interesting. To me was then 38 years, and popularity in
The people already was. And many, seeing this popularity, offered
To enter into the Constitution age norm in 40 years. Not in 35 years, as
In all civilised states to elect the president, and in 40.
They me wished to switch off it from selective process. But
Have then solved, what well any boy these cannot win
Elections, also have written down - 35 years.
But what has turned out? Having entered hurriedly a post of the president, not
Have worked legislative base about mutual relations of all branches
The authorities. We have not thought over questions about kompetentsijah and how will be
To co-operate among themselves the government, parliament, judicial
The power. And here also the president has appeared. That is we not
Have balanced the legislation.
Actually we in all that imperious structure, which on that
The moment existed, it is artificial have introduced also the presidential
The power. And when the president have selected, I became constantly
To encounter this here imbalance of branches of the power, me
Constantly it was necessary to come on a foreign field, and they into the
Turn too constantly compressed a sphere of action of the head
The states.
And here this grinding in of all branches has absolutely objectively gone
The authorities which, sincerely considers, has not through my fault poured out in
Rigid opposition of 1996. I of this opposition not
Wanted. On three times a day came to parliament, trying
To agree. But to agree small group of people did not want.
Every time on my attempts to agree to me spoke: you break
The constitution. Actually there was a struggle for the power. And the president
Should find the place in this system of the power.
From my point of view, we should not reach the such
Sharp opposition. Before my eyes the example was constant
October, 1993 in Moscow.
At any moment this small group of people has seen, that
The people in these disputes on my party, also began to push openly
Me to power opposition. The opposition simply provoked
Me on power actions.
But for me owing to my deep internal conviction not
Approached a direct power variant (with tanks and with shooting),
The soft: for Constitution infringement to resort to arrests
Oppositionists.
I have chosen other variant, not to what me pushed, and
The constitutional. I have addressed to the unique judge, which
Only also could judge us, - to the people.
But it has appeared, as I cannot make it the will.
To declare a referendum and to confirm questions on which people should
Were to show the will up to date of carrying out of the action, had
The right only the Supreme body.
I have addressed to deputies with the request (now about it nobody
Recollects for some reason) carrying out of a referendum and has offered four
Question. And date has asked to confirm on November, 7th, motivating it that,
That there will be a day off and people will solve, as it to spend
Free time.
But the Supreme body has decided, that the referendum is more expedient
To spend not 7th, and on November, 24th, and plus to it to my to four
To questions have added the fifth, project of the Constitution in quality
Alternatives to the text offered by me.
There has passed a referendum. Speaking sports language, the bill 9:1 in
Lukashenko's advantage. 75 percent from number of all voters and 90
Percent from number of those who has come on a referendum, have voted
For the project of the Constitution offered by me. And it thus
Absolute power which the Supreme body possessed for that moment...
There is a question: against what those today protest who
Speaks about nelegitimnosti Lukashenko? They protest against that,
That Lukashenko, being young, absolutely not fired
The president, has chosen it is unique a correct way: peacefully and easy
Has understood that situation. Without violence.
And here there has passed a referendum. The will of the people is expressed where as clearly. And
Again I come to parliament and I speak: everything, that was yesterday,
Let's forget. Let the parliament works and further. But here it is clear
The expressed will of the people. Who recognises results of a referendum,
The constitution which the people have confirmed, give all together
Let's generate parliament. And those who recognised will of the people, have gone in
The lower chamber - the House of Representatives. Notice, not I of deputies
Has appointed. And deputies on the basis of referendum results have solved
To generate the lower chamber from 110 persons. I after all pulled nobody
For language. If deputies have refused, the new would be spent
Parliamentary elections. 40 persons remained in a reserve on
Constitutions. If someone leaves parliament, compensation goes
From among this reserve. Nobody is deprived deputatstva. Well and who not
Recognised referendum results - and they are 30 persons, - they have gone the
Road. Too voluntary...
- Whether and tell, please, declare you elections in new
Parliament in 2000?
- At once I respond - certainly! It precisely corresponds to ours
Constitutions, current. I declare simple I can them.
This Constitution for me - the blessing. It to me in literal sense
Then and blood has got. And in November, 2000 at us will pass
Parliamentary elections. Under the Constitution they should be declared for
Three months before carrying out, and they will be declared. I invite you
To arrive to us, and you will see, that they will pass absolutely
Easy, democratically and under the law.
The same and presidential. They too will pass in time, in
Conformity with the law in 2001.
- It is a lot of conversations that you in 1996 have prolonged to yourselves
Term of appointment for two years...
- Yes will be! In the Constitution accepted on a referendum was
Position which said, that if amendments pass, term
Calculations of powers of the chosen bodies, not only parliament and
The president, but everything, that is and local too, begins with the moment
Constitution acceptances. Why we on it have gone? So that
To save stability in the country and a society. Imagine,
If elections of parliament, the president, local authorities
Have begun almost right after a referendum what it would be porridge! I
Well understood, that for two years we will have time to make nothing,
Therefore we also have created possibility for several years normal,
Quiet job. About these reasons prefer not to speak,
Because not the peace creative life is necessary to someone, not
State creation, and constant struggle someone with someone... And
We stabilised in the meantime conditions, have created the state,
All authorities, have strengthened them. Well and here now let's be
Elections to spend. Already we can.
- You will propose the candidature on presidential elections?
- And why is not present?! Here say, that Lukashenko so likes the power,
So has caught it... Yes be today elections, you it is perfect
Understand, that I would win them...
- Polls show, that with the big
Separation from the competitors would win. It and opposition
Recognises...
- Well, if also they it recognise, so that then bedlam
To lift?! And let they recognise that Lukashenko two more
Year will be the president, and then there will come 2001, elections
The president, and I hope them to win. And it 7 years. How much
Will be years to Sharetsky? For 70? Yes not to struggle to it it is necessary with me, and
To live, the life after all passes. It is necessary to come and work now.
Perhaps then the people and after 70 will select you. The people after all solve,
Instead of Lukashenko... But I for the present on am adjusted to give in.
I am intended to prove in every possible way in a civilised way to people, that I am capable
After 2001 to be selected and represent interests of the people.
Certainly, I from humour shares about it speak to you. Because,
I repeat, solves after all the people. And it will be defined how
Will consider the necessary. Here it also is present, a genuine democracy
- Show to the people, on what you are capable...
- Alexander Grigorevich, I would like to return to a subject, to be
Can, not so convenient for you. You, the mister the president, in
Introduction of Belarus a dictatorial mode accuse not only
Opposition and the West. There are also visible enough Byelorussians, which
Throw to you the same reproach. Here today I went in a train with very
The known person in Belarus. I will not name its surnames,
To it already for 70. He knows you, and you know it perfectly. Large
The business executive. And here he has told to me, that in Belarus - dictatorship
Lukashenko. However, when I have asked to name it the concrete
Signs of such mode, he has somehow retired to the background and as speak
Poles, has left in defenzivu. I, guilty business, consider, that in
Transition period dictatorship elements are necessary. Otherwise all is possible
Society to lose.
And nevertheless, and actually you really dictator,
The mister the president?
- You know, it is very thin moral-philosophical legal
Subject. I am afraid, that I cannot state it during our conversation.
This person who so spoke, it in something of the rights. From a point
Sight of ordinary understanding it is right. But in Belarus - not
Dictatorship. We have elements, I would tell so, any
Authoritarianism, we will tell so, for my part. I it see. But in what
They are expressed?.
I have established rigid rules of behaviour: for politicians,
For business executives and for all the others. And in what you it is absolute
Are right, so it that there are criteria of the transitive
The period. Also has come to conclusion, that today I have no right all it
On samotek to start up. In not settled political system we can
In this case easier to lose not only the state, but also
Society. I do not divide the point of view, that the market all
Will adjust. Why? Because at us before eyes an example
Russia, Ukraine and others. It first.
Secondly, we, in Belarus, all it passed during times
Shushkevich-Kebicha when have stopped all economy. When in
Shops empty counters gaped. And than was to feed people?
Democracy in understanding of our homebrew democrats?
Here I also have developed simple rules, rigid, but clear and
Accepted by the overwhelming majority of our society: if you
The head, and you say, that your fellow traveller in a train
The business executive, well, let us assume, what is it Lavrinovich or still someone, to
To example, could be... What? Has hit the nail?. Well here see, judging
On your reaction, I have guessed? Though I do not know, with whom you went, I to you
Fairly I speak.
But I have put a problem so: if you the business executive and at you
There is a collective, let us assume, 25 thousand persons, on the same MAZe, to
To example, you should provide them with job, in time provide
The salary, thus to grow in manufacture every day, new
Technics to give out to compete in the market, if you
The head, well and to save a social base, to help the
To people, only the, I bolshego from you do not ask.
To me responded, that there are no orders, there is no manufacture, therefore it is necessary
To reduce people. I have forbidden it. Has forbidden to dismiss. However,
Now it already in the past. Now directors already type people. And
Then I spoke: there is no manufacture? Knit brooms and sell near
Baths...
- And me it is very clear. An oak broom in Sandunah in Moscow
There are 30 roubles, that is on the Belarus roubles it is 360 000
Roubles...
- And they have understood it. Though I, of course, joked. I it on
"Horizon" has told (laughs). But today this problem already is not present. And
Me then have accused that I not the market expert. Well and not the market expert in
That moment was. But I thought of people. I protected the person. For
Them at that time it, maybe, also was dictatorship. And for me it
There was an element of authoritarianism any. And in general it were, with mine
The points of view, normal actions of the head of the state, which
It is selected by the people which I should, is obliged to protect on it
Critical stage.
Today "Horizon" lets out excellent TVs, which
Compete with Japanese in the Russian market. Japanese ask us:
Smoke the price because we because of your price cannot sell
The. And we respond, that we accept this price, us suffices
Profitability.
And the same on TV "Hero", on MAZu, BelAZu, on
To the Brest factory which makes an electric equipment and so
Further. Today already there is no enterprise, which not
Worked. Is, the truth which work poorly. But we potihonechku
To them we help, and, I think, there are they on competitive
Production.
The second, that I have forbidden heads, it - to steal. Has stolen?
All! The public prosecutor and the inspector talks to you only!
- It is inhumane, however... (The President laughs.).
- It also is dictatorship? No. Authoritarianism? Perhaps, yes. But
Authoritarianism necessary for a transition period...
- If you allow, the mister the president, the last. Mail
"The Russian newspaper" fixes many questions: that all the same
The president of Belarus has told about reorientation of its foreign policy
On the West? We have tried to answer these questions that
Have published completely, without denominations, your well-known performance on
Parliamentary meeting "Russia - Belarus" in this occasion.
Judging besides by reader's mail, it has in many respects removed
Bewilderment of Russians. Readers of our newspaper have understood, that words
Lukashenko as it happens often, in mass-media have distorted. And still to me
It would be desirable, that you have personally responded our readers.
- Thanks you that you have published my performance
Completely and that have allowed Russians to learn not deformed
Mass media my position in this question.
The union of Belarus and Russia, the uniform state is sacred. But at
Us should be the multivector policy. We have neighbours. That
Lithuania, Ukraine. And we have built all foreign policy only on
Russia. Our foreign policy began to remind a bird with the lined
Wing. It is necessary to cure this bird. That it on two wings
Flied.
And as to the West after all I said it that is not necessary
Thoughtlessly in all to concede to the West. It was not necessary to clean at once
Nuclear rockets from territory of Belarus. Have cleaned. And at once have received
NATO expansion on the East. And then and war of NATO against Yugoslavia.
So who was right, I ask?
And the union with Russia is the West does not concern. This our business. And
Never Belarus with Russia will refuse the union. It is sacred.
Also it is not necessary to Russians to worry that Belarus will leave on
The West. Never and anywhere it will not leave.
But also with the West we need to establish normal relations. And
We have already started to establish them. Diplomats West European
The countries already normally work in Minsk. And with the United States
Of America we carry on normal dialogue. Recently here their ambassador came in
Minsk, also the mutual desire to continue has been confirmed
Political dialogue.
- Resolve, the mister the president, once again to return to a problem
Your mutual relations with representatives of means of the mass
Information. That a sin to conceal, your words quite often flinch in
Mass-media, their sense is deformed. At you never arose desires
To limit the contacts to journalists? By the way to tell, here and
Last your conversation with the correspondent of German magazine "Dee
Vohe ", published in the newspaper" Moscow news ". Any
The ambiguity from it has then arisen. The correspondent like would take from you
Interview, has then told, that like speech in him would go at all about
Volume that has been published. If not a secret that has occurred on
The business?
- Whether see, I consider what to protect myself from contacts with
Mass media would mean not to carry out
Entrusted me the people of function of the president. After all a meeting with
Journalists are a part of my duties. My voters should
The nobility as I carry out their orders. That speak, and I, as
The president (not Lukashenko, and the president of Belarus), - a symbol of it
The states, I personify this state. What person at it
The states?. Well what have selected, such and is...
Therefore I and in thoughts did not have a desire to protect from
Contacts to journalists. And consequently I meet every week with
Any one journalist. It already became practice of my job.
Here and the representative "Dee Vohe" has met. Sat,
Normally talked. And then he between times speaks: "the Mister
The president, seems to me, that in Russia you simply want
To use, to prolong stay term on Boris's post
Yeltsin ". I have smiled and I speak: how? A certain Grecian horse, that
Whether, me to expose? No, I speak, I do not suit this role. It
It will not turn out. That is it were words of the correspondent, on which I
Has figuratively reacted. It was not even a question, and in interview frameworks
It did not enter.
And then I learn, that the words pulled out from conversation as are published
Mine almost an official statement. And NTV in general pulls out from
Context one phrase also starts it in an aether: "Lukashenko has declared,
That it will not be for Yeltsin the Grecian horse! ".
After all as it is possible to pervert all! I after all really such words
Spoke. But not in interview, and it is simple as reaction to a remark and
At all in that sense which have submitted. So is not present, these have snatched out
Words, have deformed sense, have added pair of the words and have made from
It sensation. Meanly all it...
And then interview this correspondent "Dee Vohe", where
He says, that supposedly Lukashenko really such words
Spoke, but in conversation, outside the limits of interview, and has condemned the publication,
Has told, that so it is impossible to do on canons of journalistic ethics.
As with the president of Belarus conversation went at all about
It. So after all have not given this interview! Have again snatched out only
Separate words which were favourable it.
And today this journalist asks to give the chance to act to it
On the Belarus TV to tell all as is,
To restore the truth. I think, that in the near future to it such
Possibility will give...
- In record. Only in record...
- What? And, well (laughs), now we already scientific...
Vladimir KUZNECHEVSKY.
<$>
//* an information Source: the Russian newspaper, 11.08.99
//* Reg. Nom. - 1090800117.20-------------------------------------------
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