Lukashenka: “You can expect the worst. I will run again”
- 14.05.2008, 8:29
Alyaksandr Lukashenka said he was going to embark on forth presidential term. “"If the situation remains as it is today in the country and for me personally then, of course, I will run again. If the situation with me or in the country changes, I may take another decision. It is possible. So you can expect the worst,” the Belarusian dictator told in an interview to Reuters.
Reuters presents extras from Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s interview, given yesterday.
About parliamentary “elections” and opposition
“We hold the elections for the Belarusians in Belarus. It is our inner affair.”
“We will hold the elections as our people needs. Our elections have always been more democratic than in other states - our neighbours, including EU members, but you laid claims to us all the same.”
“We will hold them not worse than in the EU countries. How you will estimate them, it is depends on your conscience and your orientation. I demand that every structure hold the elections in such a way, that you will be ashamed to throw a stone at us and say that our elections haven’t met European standards.”
“If there are some oppositionists in the “parliament,” our “parliament” won’t be worse. They will be in the minority.”
“But I am afraid, I emphasise, afraid they won’t go to the parliament.”
“People who deserve it will get into parliament. My task is to ensure a normal voting process.”
"If the situation remains as it is today in the country and for me personally then, of course, I will run again. If the situation with me or in the country changes, I may take another decision. For the moment, I am healthy. The people are not especially critical of me and the West is beginning to understand. It is possible. So you can expect the worst.”
About foreign policy
“If the Americans want to have 20, 30 or 50 diplomats - for God’s sake. But if the diplomats, do no good but harm the relations, it is nonsense.”
“If the Americans think they can build relations from a position of strength, then we don't need such diplomats or relations. If they want to see an independent sovereign state we unlock our hearts and the country for them.”
“The Americans can’t overturn the country. We don’t have much American capital. Don’t fear us with sanctions. We will survive.”
“The US wants the EU to impose sanctions against Belarus. It will harm Europe. Fortunately, the EU hasn’t adopted the position of the US. The Europeans are right to reproach the US they have imposed the sanctions over the head of the EU.”
“And now they want the Europeans to join in....You can if you wish. But don't forget that 50 percent of your oil and oil products and 30 percent of your gas passes through Belarus."
“If Europe doesn’t need Belarus, anybody else will need it. Let’s built normal relations. If you are ready, let’s begin from tomorrow.”
“If you insulate yourself from us – it is your affair. We won’t forbid entry for you.”
“You criticised the USSR for the Iron Curtain. But what are you doing now? Did we scare you, that you forbid me and other people to entry your countries? The question is: what do you, EU, do to normalise the relations with Belarus?”
“We are situated between two main blocks that are so different. We are a bridge, and we need to connect these opposites.”
“The west is trying if not to ruin this bridge, then at least loosen it. I can’t understand why you need it.”
“It is at least absurd to implant democracy at ours if do not have it themselves.”
About political prisoners
“Firstly, I think it is not their business. Let them solve a problem with their prisoners. With prisoners of Guantanamo, Afghanistan, and so on. From the other hand, we do not like the whole country suffering due to 6 people. Personally I took a decision to release them. The five agreed while the sixth refused. He has recently said the longer he will be in prison, the higher his rating will be.”
“It is his choice (Lukashenka is likely to mean Alyaksandr Kazulin – note of Charter’97). I’m not going to release him by force. We don’t have any political prisoners today.”