MINSK, 11 June (BelTA) - Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has appointed Aleksandr Rakhmanov Deputy State Secretary of the Security Council, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Rakhmanov worked as the head of the Department for Brest Oblast of the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus.
“You understand why I chose you. There was even some behind-the-scenes dispute. Some argued against your candidature in favor of another. By the way, Yuri Karayev [new internal affairs minister] was also recommended for the post. I made the choice in your favor because you are familiar with the job [Aleksandr Rakhmanov worked in the Security Council earlier]. This is not an easy job, even with your investigative experience. Investigative job means working with people. Here, it is more about office, managerial work. I reckoned that appointing Yuri Karayev to this post would not be a good idea because he would need time to learn the ropes,” the president said explaining the reasons for the new appointments
“This is one of the factors. When your candidacy was brought to my notice, I had no doubt that you will cope given your track record and expertise. Probably, your candidature is what the State Secretariat needs. You do not need time to get up to speed as you are returning to the team you worked with. You are familiar with the system. Your knowledge goes even beyond the system,” he said.
Following the meeting with the president, Aleksandr Rakhmanov told the media that he will oversee law enforcement and security: the units of the Internal Affairs Ministry, the Investigative Committee, the Prosecutor General's Office, and the Emergencies Ministry.
“One of the lines of activities of the State Secretariat of the Security Council is to coordinate the work of law enforcement, security and other state bodies in part of combating crime and corruption, ensuring public security and enforcing law, preventing and responding to natural or man-made emergency situations. The head of state gave instructions to improve measures implemented in these areas, enhance the efficiency of the methods and mechanisms which the State Secretariat has developed in part of coordination of the activities of other government bodies,” he said.
Aleksandr Rakhmanov noted that there are no systemic issues in law enforcement today. Yet, their harmonious work depends on every worker. Therefore it is important to work with them and to improve their professionalism. “This is what we are going to do,” he said.
