KGB Chief: security is paramount, an escalation of the situation around Belarus’ perimeter likely
The issues of ensuring national security are now in the foreground – as stated by the Chairman of Belarus’ State Security Committee, Ivan Tertel, while commenting on the results of President Aleksandr Lukashenko’s meeting with the leadership of the country's security bloc on topical issues of ensuring security, law and order, and also measures taken to protect the state border
As noted by Mr. Tertel, ‘the Head of State keeps track of the processes that are taking place at present’ in this difficult operational situation.
“At the moment, security is paramount, and all citizens understand this. We predict a significant escalation of the situation around the perimeter of our country. This is due, firstly, to the hostilities in the southern directions. Everything is connected with this now. Secondly, attempts to destabilise the situation inside our country do not stop. These [come] primarily from the centres stationed abroad; they are planning this activity with a direct support of curators, including from foreign special services,” the KGB Chief said.
According to Mr. Tertel, a number of ‘serious actions’ are planned on the territory of Belarus, and Western sponsors do not give any other way out to those who have become dependent on them. “Sponsors are represented by foreign interested parties (individuals, special services and other organisations). Therefore, under such circumstances, the Head of State ordered that we report proposals for responding to these challenges,” he explained.
Mr. Tertel stressed that this noiseless work continues daily, and the President personally controls it, being fully aware of all its nuances. In the near future, the KGB promised to show some results of this work.
“Unfortunately, not all of our citizens are aware of the danger that is developing around them and their families. Therefore, using the example of real materials, real detentions, counterintelligence work, the operation of units dealing with the protection of our constitutional order, we will show these examples – so that our people understand what we are dealing with," Mr. Tertel added.
As noted by the KGB Chief, under these conditions and following the instructions of Aleksandr Lukashenko, a number of measures will be taken to tighten the counterintelligence regime – ‘in order to work for prevention and not to eventually allow what is happening next to us in various regions to happen’. “The safety of people, our citizens and their families is the number one issue for the Head of State. Accordingly, we report to him on the implementation of the President's instructions in connection with this difficult situation. I want to emphasise that the President keeps an ear to the ground, and our citizens can feel sure that everything necessary is being done,” Mr. Tertel stressed.
