MINSK, 1 July (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko commented on a number of topics following the official part of his address at a solemn assembly held on 1 July in anticipation of Independence Day. These topics included the recent talks with U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg and the pardon of a number of convicts. The president shared his position on this matter, and also responded to critics, BelTA has learned.
According to the head of state, the topic of the so-called political prisoners was discussed during a meeting with Keith Kellogg: “I once again noted that if you talk about ‘political prisoners’, then we will stop talking. Especially after the Middle East, where you destroyed, bombed, killed people and children. Tens of thousands. these poor people were wiped out. What political prisoners are you talking about? Where did we do wrong? They [Americans] heeded my point. And mentioned this term no more.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke about his approach and attitude to the problem: “Some may have forgotten, but I haven’t. It still hurts. I have to solve this problem. How? Only in your best interest. I will never go against not only the people but even against the security forces who stood in the street and were maimed. Those few people. I remember that.”
“Look, them rotting there is not the goal we pursue. God forbid. That's what they will blame the ‘regime’ for. They will blame me, first of all. That's why we treat them normally. But prison is not a resort. Mistreatment is unacceptable,” the Belarusian leader stressed. “These are bad people, these are animals, criminals. But I think they are still people.”
“Therefore, before you decide to give your opinion on something, criticize something, and so on, you always ask the question: ‘Well, what is the purpose? For what is this?’ If they died there, it would be very hard for us. We would be accused of this. So it's politics. It doesn't always have to be straightforward. And I often talk about it because I'm too straightforward at times. But we need to calm down, think about the future, about the goals, about our state,” he said.
“This does not mean that we will release all bandits for them to turn our country upside down tomorrow. They're bandits. Where are they? You know where. Who pays them money? You know who. If they didn’t, they would have been gone a long time ago. This means they [the ones who pay the money] have an interest in Belarus. You know what this interest is about. In this intricate politics it is important to survive, hold out and in no case fall in trap while defending our interests,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also noted that the Belarusian special services keep tabs on the relevant people. Much is not reported publicly.
According to the head of state, the topic of the so-called political prisoners was discussed during a meeting with Keith Kellogg: “I once again noted that if you talk about ‘political prisoners’, then we will stop talking. Especially after the Middle East, where you destroyed, bombed, killed people and children. Tens of thousands. these poor people were wiped out. What political prisoners are you talking about? Where did we do wrong? They [Americans] heeded my point. And mentioned this term no more.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke about his approach and attitude to the problem: “Some may have forgotten, but I haven’t. It still hurts. I have to solve this problem. How? Only in your best interest. I will never go against not only the people but even against the security forces who stood in the street and were maimed. Those few people. I remember that.”
The head of state noted that some people criticized his decision to pardon them: "Well, why did Batka let them go. They should have rotten in prison.”
“Look, them rotting there is not the goal we pursue. God forbid. That's what they will blame the ‘regime’ for. They will blame me, first of all. That's why we treat them normally. But prison is not a resort. Mistreatment is unacceptable,” the Belarusian leader stressed. “These are bad people, these are animals, criminals. But I think they are still people.”
“Therefore, before you decide to give your opinion on something, criticize something, and so on, you always ask the question: ‘Well, what is the purpose? For what is this?’ If they died there, it would be very hard for us. We would be accused of this. So it's politics. It doesn't always have to be straightforward. And I often talk about it because I'm too straightforward at times. But we need to calm down, think about the future, about the goals, about our state,” he said.
“This does not mean that we will release all bandits for them to turn our country upside down tomorrow. They're bandits. Where are they? You know where. Who pays them money? You know who. If they didn’t, they would have been gone a long time ago. This means they [the ones who pay the money] have an interest in Belarus. You know what this interest is about. In this intricate politics it is important to survive, hold out and in no case fall in trap while defending our interests,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also noted that the Belarusian special services keep tabs on the relevant people. Much is not reported publicly.
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