Lukashenko on restoration of Chernobyl-affected lands
It was the right decision to restore the Belarusian lands affected by the Chernobyl tragedy – as stated by President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko during today’s solemn ceremony of honouring farmers at the Dazhynki-2024 festival-fair in Korma, Gomel Region
The Head of State recalled that after the Chernobyl disaster he constantly visited the affected areas and practically lived there. Today, according to the Belarusian leader, he is also involved in the problems and life of the region. “I proceed from the fact that your agricultural products sell like hotcakes in all international markets and are treated very scrupulously. They have never found a reason to refuse. Your forest products and furniture enjoy popularity on world markets. This is the most important factor for me that we did the right thing then. Moreover, people live on these territories,” the President noted.
“Where to employ thousands of people? Where would a normal life be? Who would you be if you were torn away from your roots then?” the Belarusian leader asked.
The President stated that various politicians created their authority on this topic, while never even visiting the Chernobyl lands.
“People were scared. The most difficult thing was to turn this ship in the opposite direction. We’ve done it with you. You’ve done it!.. I’m grateful to you that you heard me then and did not run away, but stayed in your homes. We’ll do everything to ensure that you never reproach my generation for not paying enough attention to you,” the Head of State stressed.
He also recalled that the country coped with this disaster, although we did not build, operate or blow up the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Anyway, we overcame the trouble ‘because we stopped whining, moaning and counting on someone else’, “The same is now: we can do something only with our own mind and hands. We don’t belong to anyone. Maybe someone needs us only on our knees, in bast shoes and under a whip, as it once was. But this is not our path.”
