Lukashenka: It is impossible to establish dictatorship in Belarus, it is possible in the USA
- 30.11.2009, 12:25
BelTA, the official news agency, publishes today the extended text of Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s interview to the Italian newspaper La Stampa.
“There are no grounds to do so in Belarus. It cannot be done here just as it cannot be set up in Italy or some other European state,” Lukashenka said. “It is possible in the USA, China, partially in Russia, i.e. all-sufficient countries that can exist almost independently.” According to the Belarusian ruler, “If we tried to do so in Belarus, we would be stopped within 24 hours. And that would be right, as dictatorship is unacceptable in the present-day world.”
“As for the freedom to demonstrate and freedom of expression, I think we have the same opportunities for this as Italy does. You know I sometimes feel scared when I watch your news on TV. You use water jets, batons, tear-gas, everything to put order in your country. There has never been like that in a ‘dictatorial’ Belarus.”
He also said he would like Belarusian oppositionists to “train in a European country in order they could breathe in tear gas and be beat with police clubs. Then they would understand what opposition is and what public order, which must be observe in the country, means.”
I would like you, Europeans, to understand that if you wish to cooperate, you should bear in mind that the interests of the people who chose me President are the most important for me,” Lukashenka underlined. “Even in the European-like democratization, sovereignty, independence and stable domestic policy are sacred for me and the government,” he added.
The dictator thinks that the number of states Belarus has good relations with is enough for securing normal development f the country. Belarus has such partners as Russia, China, India, Arab countries, states of Latin America and Africa. The EU should understand that Belarus stand for cooperation based on the universally recognized principles.
Lukashenka believes that Belarus–US relations will be improved later. “I am absolutely confident in this,” he said.
According to him, too little time has passed since the new administration came to power in the USA. “But we do not see any pressure concerning our relations with Washington. This is a good signal for us,” the Belarusian leader said.
At the same time Lukashenka emphasized that any external pressure on Belarus, no matter who performs it, is counterproductive. “There is a global principle of the non-interference in the domestic affairs of a state and the refusal from pressure on it,” he added.