The President of Belarus: ‘The country must be preserved, and we must mobilise in this regard’

The prospects for the work of BSU and the fine-tuning of the entire system of higher education became the main topics of the meeting with the participation of the President at the Belarusian State University

belta

 The Head of State immediately offered to openly and frankly discuss the problems in order to finally fine-tune the system of higher education this year. Various opinions and proposals were voiced at the meeting, some quite radical, while Aleksandr Lukashenko orients the entire field of higher education, 

“This is a state-run higher education institution. Therefore, whether you like it or not, the government policy should be clearly observed here. We need to get mobilised in order to go through this period. The country must be preserved, and we must mobilise in this regard.”

Belarusian State University BELTA

The Head of State emphasised that the impetus for the meeting at BSU was given by the rector himself, “It was at his suggestion that I decided to meet today, although the topic is very pressing. 

BSU is more than a university. It is the history and future of the country. Founded during the formation of the Belarusian statehood, it has come to epitomise the scientific and industrial power of contemporary Belarus.” 

Scientific developments of BSU BELTA

Aleksandr Lukashenko praised the current level of university developments, “Your projects are really cutting-edge. I knew that you were doing this, but I did not think that you had advanced to such a high level. We will draw the attention of our manufacturers to this. You have already created important developments. Especially space, drones are the future.”
The President said at the meeting that he was informed about a number of problems in the functioning of the Belarusian State University, “Moreover, I remember the year 2020 very well when you showed your true face. But I did not make any remarks then. You may have noticed that. I did not criticise you. I thought that you were an advanced part of our society and would eventually understand everything you had done here. 
On behalf of the Head of State, the work of the Belarusian State University was studied by the President Administration, various departments, open and closed meetings were held. An expert analysis was requested from the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and other government bodies. Reports submitted to the Head of State contained a number of essential problems in the operation of the university, including poor personnel policy of the administration, insufficient involvement of the rector’s office and first of all, the rector in administrative work.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that, on his instructions, the government conducted an attestation of the rectors of all the country’s universities. The Head of State is categorically not satisfied with the conclusions drawn on the basis of the work carried out, 

“The results are upsetting. Some rectors rest on their laurels, delegate their administrative functions to deputies, focus on journalism, and perform purely representative functions.”

BELTA

 With regard to the performance review of the Belarusian State University rector the government put forward a radical proposal due to a significant number of issues in the operation of the university. The Education Ministry is also of the opinion about changing the leadership of the university. The President made his position, “For now I am not in favour of this decision. And it is one of the most important reasons for today’s meeting. At present when we have realised and understood a lot, it is unacceptable to make a personnel decision in a haphazard way.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko directly asked BSU Rector Andrei Korol a question, “Can you manage the university and solve existing problems or not? Because you can’t sit still. I do not demand a revolution from you, but we will force you to move progressively towards the goal, whoever is here.”

BELTA

BSU Rector Andrei Korol answered the Head of State’s questions resolutely, “Yes, I can. I say it firmly. The Belarusian State University sees its main mission in helping enrolled students to unlock their potential, transforming it into human capital, which is one of the most valuable resources of the state in the era of technological change.”

A serious conversation will take place in all universities

Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke about the results of the meeting at the Belarusian State University during a conversation with journalists after the event. He stressed that a conversation similar to the one that took place at the Belarusian State University should be held in all universities, “We must meet and talk with the heads of universities, with students, to convey our position. They will accept it or not, someone will sit out, keep silent — this is their business. But this should be done on behalf of the President. Even if it’s not the President. Natalya Ivanovna Kochanova went somewhere — she must convey the position of the President. And let people sit there and think, so that later it would be disrespectful. Because not everything is clear. It cannot be unambiguous. This is a university, this is freethinking. Take history, it has always been like this everywhere. Therefore, an amendment must be made, but no enemy overshoots should be allowed. The country must be saved, and we must mobilise in this regard.”
The Head of State also asked journalists to share their opinion on the tough conversation at BSU. ONT political commentator Igor Tur remarked, “In my opinion, there is a lot of work in universities everywhere, of course. The most important thing is that there should be no formalism in this work. There is a great temptation to write on paper that everything is fine, but then we will have to clear up.”

BELTA

“I came here to make sure that everything was written that way. Everything must be compared, weighed, and conclusions drawn. It is necessary to approach these issues subtly and carefully. God forbid we start to ‘push’ our own people. Here comes the trouble! Therefore, we must carefully pass this time,” the President said in response.
“After all, political opponents are not the only task,” Igor Tur remarked.
“Naturally. If we have a basis (the economy, normal people and politics will be carried out normally), then there will be fewer opponents. They will always be, but there will be fewer of them, and they will be afraid to even lean out into the street. This is the main thing.” noted Aleksandr Lukashenko.

‘The Western hegemony is not on its last legs yet. But that was a strong move in this direction’

The BRICS summit ended last week in South Africa. Based on its results, it was decided that six new states will join the organisation starting next year: Argentina, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. In the West, they have already begun to noticeably get nervous about this, and therefore the question of the political observer of STV Alena Syrovaya to the Belarusian leader appeared: does he think that Western hegemony is ending.
The Head of State shared his opinion on this matter, “I think that the Western hegemony is not on its last legs yet. But that was a strong move in this direction. This put on high alert not only media, but also high-level politicians. There is something to think about. This is a huge step towards a multipolar world.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that, speaking at the time at the SCO summit, he noted, “Many of progressive mankind have turned towards the SCO. And we should not be late, we need to pull up these forces in order to make this organisation powerful, so that this centre of power appears... BRICS has taken this step. Great. This is the first step. And then we might see some settlement mechanisms, some currency. This is what they fear most of all, especially the Americans who call the shots. They are fully aware that the dollar might soon be replaced by a new currency, and their hegemony will come to an end. They will no longer be able to ride this gravy train. Instead of printing these dollars they will have to earn them the hard way like we and the rest of the world do.”
The Head of State noted that he himself is a ‘more radical’ person and usually calls for more decisive steps, “Yet, sometimes I get doubts whether these more drastic steps will be possible, as there are conflicting opinions and approaches. Yet, the main thing is to keep pushing forward. We must move in this direction. And it’s good that China and India were not against it, even though Americans are courting them. They have made progress in this matter... This is almost half of the world’s population. No wonder Narendra Modi [Indian Prime Minister] said that in the near future it will be the fastest growing economy. Yes, it will be so. It has been posting high growth rates this year already, it has already caught up with China. So I would like this alternative centre to come into being. This is necessary for much-needed multipolarity to appear. We used to be afraid to even pronounce this word ‘multipolarity’. The first time I spoke about the need for a multipolar world was twenty years ago in China. And the world is moving towards this now. Thank God.”

BELTA

‘Belarus is a peaceful country and has no claims to Lithuania, Latvia and Poland’

Western neighbors have voiced their intention to close the border with Belarus. The head of the department for covering the activities of the President of BELTA Vladimir Matveyev asked how Aleksandr Lukashenko assesses these steps of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.
“I don't quite understand Lithuania and Latvia. Most likely they are just getting ahead of themselves. They should make sure they don’t get crushed by it. They want to show off. But the consequences will be unfavourable for them. If they want to close the borders, they should go ahead and do it. We don’t travel to Lithuania and Latvia anyway, and we don't work via them. For whom will they make things worse? They will make things worse only for themselves and their own people. They are afraid that their people have started coming to us and see how we live. And so their people were already impoverished. I said that in winter they took firewood from us. Because they put a potbelly stove, but there is nothing to heat. And for God’s sake! We will help them! It is necessary — we will help for free so that people can endure this. Face their people. People over there are no fools. They are strong and seasoned. Just like we are. They will soon knock down these rulers. You same know, that recently government Latvia resigned. What are they, just like that? Were they bad? No, they are ruining themselves,” the Head of State noted.
Belarus, meanwhile, is pursuing a completely different policy. The Head of State recalled the visa-free regime, thanks to which about 800 thousand people have recently visited our country, “They see how we live! And in that Lithuania there are already less than two million people left. In addition, everyone who has been here, try to convince him or her that Belarus is a peaceful, normal country and has no claims to Lithuania, as well as to Latvia and Poland. We want to live in our land. We need neither Poland’s nor Lithuania’s nor Latvia’s. But they have political psychosis due to the upcoming elections. Particularly in Poland. This is why they are going to inflate tensions.”

‘They respect us. They look to us'

Director General of the National Library of Belarus, political scientist, regular contributor to SB. Belarus Today Vadim Gigin asked how the Head of State feels about the fact that the Belarusian agenda is now in the top in Poland — news from the Wagnerites to the fence at the border: is this a manipulation of public opinion?
The Belarusian leader is convinced, “They respect us. They look to us. The population is talking about it — we have to react. And what will they say today that they built the wall in vain? The leadership of Poland will not tell them [citizens of their country] that this wall is not a hindrance for migrants. It’s amazing for me too. Not a single migrant who decided to go to Poland was detained by the wall. I tell you this very responsibly. 
If migrants want to go there, they go. They here [the Poles on Belarusian territory] simply throw out not only corpses, but sometimes they throw living people here and try not to let them in.
The President noted an important point — migrants do not come to Belarus, “After all, we did not create this wave. They [the European Union] refused to co-operate with us — to build these centres, finance and so on. And sanctions were imposed against us. And then I say: what are you, madmen? You imposed sanctions against me — and I will protect you from migrants? Well, catch them there. Merkel called them there at the time. They remember it. And other reasons. We are absolutely innocent that this wave of migrants has begun. It would be smaller through Belarus if there was no war in Ukraine.”
A large flow of migrants at one time went through the Ukrainian side, the Head of State noted, “They also went to Europe, through Ukraine, for big money, when there was no this war. Now this window remains [through Belarus]. We do not take bribes from them. But we will not fight for Europe and will not tear our clothes. In connection with the policy they are pursuing.”

‘Let's tell the Poles the truth’

As for the Belarusian issue in Poland, here the President’s opinion is as follows, “The Poles must understand: there is only one reason — they [the Polish authorities] need some kind of external enemy. Belarus, Russia — this is the enemy.”
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, it raises eyebrows that Poland decided to put this matter to a referendum, “They put the matter to a referendum. And they didn't ask ‘to build or not to build’, but ‘to demolish or not’. Listen, I thought that this country was run by sensible people. It was utterly stupid to put this question to referendum! Do they really think that Poles are idiots? Poles ‘appreciated’ this move right away.”
The Head of State explained why our western neighbours need the Belarusian issue so much. “On the lips of the Poles are the words: ‘Belarus, Belarus, Belarus. Why did we (the Poles) get in there, why is this, that not? And fuel is expensive, and this is… But the Belarusians don’t have it’. They are comparing. So we have to let go. They want to jump into the parliament on this Belarusian horse and win. Will not work. We explain everything to the Poles and we will explain it. In the near future we will increase these conversations on the Polish topic. Let’s tell them the truth. Yes, and the Poles see for themselves.”

CSTO exercises start in Belarus on September 1st

Should the West consider the upcoming exercises as a special signal? Aleksandr Lukashenko was asked.
“No. Frankly speaking, I didn’t even learn the details of this exercise. But in the current situation in order not to inflate tensions, I’d like to say there is no combat component in it. Small units of some CSTO states will be there to focus mainly on staff things, tactics, and strategy for the future,” the Head of State said.
The West, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed, knows about all this, Belarus warned about it in advance. Nevertheless, the President is sure that our opponents will still use this topic, “They will say that Putin and Lukashenko have once again come up with something in Belarus and are close to invading unlucky Poland again… Nothing like that. No offensive. We practice usual things that were planned a long time ago. This is why you and they do not have to worry about it”.

Plane crash with Prigozhin

The crash of the plane on which the founder of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and his associates flew is a hot topic. The incident was immediately overgrown with speculation and fakes. Journalists, predictably, could not ignore this tragic event and not take an interest in the President’s opinion on some of its aspects. The Head of State answered, as always, frankly and extensively.
What is the cause of the incident? The exact answer to this question will be given by experts and investigators over time. Therefore, the Head of State said that he could not answer this question, since he was not at the scene. But the President cannot refute anything with absolute certainty. Meanwhile, some thoughts shared, “I am only starting to think: a missile shot it down, an explosion happened on board… Do you know how a missile can shoot down an aircraft? Only the commander-in-chief can order the Aerospace Forces to do something. Then the commanding officer of a specific army unit will be ordered. And he will order a specific manning detail. Do you understand how many people get involved? What idiot would do it? Although I don’t deny that I’ll be damned if I know, some crazy people may have done it. But I don’t believe it.”
At the same time, the Head of State pointed out an essential detail, “The fact that the tail had been torn away has definitely been confirmed already. It means that an explosion on board was likely. I personally don’t know who did it.”
Is there a ‘hand of the Kremlin’? This is the most common topic for speculation. Allegedly, behind the catastrophe are the Russian authorities and almost personally Vladimir Putin. Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that his Russian colleague has nothing to do with it. Although there will still be many such fakes, and they will try to blame him. The President of Belarus noted, “I am not going to be the advocate even of my elder brother. But I know Putin. He is a calculating, very calm, and even sluggish person when he makes decisions on other, less important matters. This is why I cannot imagine that Putin did it, that Putin is guilty. It was too sloppy, unprofessional job for that matter. It doesn’t look like Putin’s. But whatever happened and however it happened, Putin will be blamed for it anyway. We have a system of power, both in Belarus and in Russia, like this: some kind of dirty trick happened, who is to blame — Lukashenko
is to blame, why do we have to bother. Exactly the same for him. But I say that it was a sloppy, disgusting, abnormal job. And I am far from thinking that Putin did it, that he instructed someone to do it, that the government did it.”

At the crash site of Embraer in the Tver Region REUTRES

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that it would be genuine madness to order the destruction of the aircraft for a Head of State and Vladimir Putin is not that kind of person, “I know Putin. I know how scrupulous, careful, delicate he is. I don’t believe he would do such a thing. And another point. It is madness for a Head of State. He is no madman. I am far from calling him white and fluffy. He has a dirty job. I am not saying he is white and fluffy, but I know that he will be blamed for everything. So it happens. The West has started shouting. Others started singing along that Putin is evil and vindictive. No matter how it happened, whatever happened, time will tell. Do you remember, the ‘Black Hundred’ in Belarus, they killed, they started to hang it on me? Time has passed, where is this hundred, stolen, lost and others? Time will pass and we will learn everything. It is impossible to hide it nowadays. But what happened is disgusting. It is unacceptable for me. From another point of view as well: all of us are men, war is war, but what are the three pilots and the flight attendant guilty of? Half the people over there had nothing to do with this ‘march of justice’. This is why I don’t understand it and don’t accept it. It is unacceptable. This is what I know for sure today. It is unacceptable. Besides, why? Everything settled down, everything is fine, he co-operated (Prigozhin) with the authorities. He met with Putin. And Putin told me: he accepted it. It was true. They discussed issues, he (Prigozhin) said how he would act. What will happen tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and so on. They left, realising the situation. They met with me, I also laid everything out for them. Furthermore, they wanted to stay in Belarus. Please. Let’s work out a system. Legally, contracts there and so on. Hand over weapons, ammunition there. All folded, handed over. They didn't even have guns. I say later: guys, you will allow the commanders to have pistols, anything can happen. No, no, no... Everything, we believe in Belarus, everything is put together. They didn’t have heavy equipment. Therefore, everything that they agreed with Putin and agreed with me, we sacredly fulfil.”

What the President of Belarus promised Prigozhin

Another fake: Aleksandr Lukashenko guaranteed security to Prigozhin and did not keep his word. The judgment is frankly far-fetched, but Aleksandr Lukashenko commented on it too, “If I had to answer this question directly, I’d say I am not supposed to ensure Prigozhin’s security. That’s the first point. The second point is that we have never spoken along these lines.”
The President remarked that two things had been discussed during negotiations with Yevgeny Prigozhin: the termination of criminal cases against PMC Wagner personnel and their extraction to Belarus, “I suggested it. I said: ‘If you are afraid of something, I will talk to President Putin, and we will extract you to Belarus. We guarantee full security to you in Belarus’. And credit where credit is due, Yevgeny Prigozhin has never asked me to separately pay attention to security matters.”
Regarding security, the Head of State gave one example from life, “The last time we flew to the UAE, I received some very serious information from deep sources. As deep as anything. About an attempt on the life of Yevgeny Prigozhin. I gave instructions and within two hours they found Russia’s ambassador to the Emirates and summoned him to me. I handed over a coded telegram about the attempt on Prigozhin's life to him for delivery to Putin and Bortnikov in the Kremlin.”
Some time later Aleksandr Lukashenko
asked Yevgeny Prigozhin whether he had received this information. The PMC Wagner founder confirmed that the Russian President had warned him about the assassination in the making.
In response to claims that the Belarus President had failed to deliver on the security guarantees he had promised to Yevgeny Prigozhin, Aleksandr Lukashenko
responded calmly, “Well, they have to write something after all. In order to bite me and the rest. Not more than that. It is stupid. They said it yesterday and half of those, who read it, laughed right away. And a day later the other half thought: ‘What does Lukashenko have to do with it? How could he ensure Prigozhin’s security in Africa?’ Prigozhin was flying from Africa. And then he landed in Moscow and left for St. Petersburg. How could I ensure his security? This is why I am not the guy you should be asking to answer these questions. Moreover, we’ve never had this conversation. About ensuring security in someone else's territory.”
In its own territory the Belarusian side has honoured all the promises to PMC Wagner personnel. Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out, “They have no complaints. The KGB chief contacted them yesterday upon my instruction and handed over only one message to them from me: we will honour everything Prigozhin and I have agreed.” 

Further work of Wagner in Belarus

Judging by how quickly the ‘red herrings’ flew from the West that the fighters had either gathered or had already flown from Belarus, many people there would like this. But, judging by the clear comment of Aleksandr Lukashenko, they will not wait, “PMC Wagner lived, PMC Wagner lives, and PMC Wagner will live in Belarus despite anyone’s wishes to the contrary. Prigozhin and I came up with a system of how PMC Wagner will be accommodated in Belarus. And these satellite images claiming that we are dismantling something… Why are we removing extra tents? We don’t need that many. The core will stay here. Some are on leave. Some decided to live somewhere else, but the core has their contact information. Within several days all of them will be here. Up to 10,000 people. There is no need to keep them here now. They will come here in certain batches for training. If Russia wants to take them for rotation to Africa, go ahead, we don’t mind it, those people may stay here. We help and support them. This is why they are not fleeing anywhere. As many people as this unit and we need will live and work in Belarus. We will honour our promise. They know the terms.”
There was also a fake that a Russian military transport plane flew to Belarus immediately after the disaster. The President did not hide the fact that there really was such a request, but so far no one has arrived. Aleksandr Lukashenko explained “We definitely coordinated with Russia when PMC Wagner personnel asked for a permission to use our airfields in order to collect troops for rotation to Africa I think and some gear, equipment, and so on. Feel free to land and take them. I promised that. I guaranteed that. That’s the first point. The second point is that there have been no planes. This is why these are lies. But the relevant request had been made. We received it on August 21st.”

‘They will help an old lady across a street and don’t take change in a shop’

Sofa experts have composed a horror story that the presence of the Wagner group in Belarus is dangerous for our country, Dmitry Kryat, a journalist from the Belarus Segodnya Publishing House, noted. Say, they themselves rolled a barrel of gunpowder to themselves. The President is categorical, “No, I'm not sitting on a barrel of gunpowder, I’m telling you sincerely. No one is in that mood.”
According to the Head of State, the Belarusian servicemen are happy to learn from the experience of the Wagnerites, especially the internal troops and special units, “There is no rejection, that’s what surprised me. Our military did not roll out the lip. Anything can be, so they absorb everything. I had my fears. I read descriptions by you and your colleagues: they are former convicts, they are the bad sort. Listen, they will help an old lady across a street and don’t take change in a shop. Surprising people. Iron discipline. If you are afraid of wolves, don’t go into the forest. We don’t keep them here for pleasure but for benefits. And we’ve built a system to keep everything under control. We don’t see any danger. We need to build human relations with them. As I once said, since such a unit was born, well, you treat them like human beings. Talk, interpret, specify what they lack there at the front: ammunition, food or clothing. Like all people. And even more so, an amendment must be made to the fact that they are fighting. They risk their lives every day. Therefore, I do not see these problems yet. And we’ve built a system to keep everything under control. Don’t worry about Wagner. Let them worry, who needs to worry.”

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by