MINSK, 29 October (BelTA) – It is necessary to adequately respond to possible external threats. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he appointed his aides for Brest Oblast, Grodno Oblast, and the city of Minsk on 29 October, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Let's be frank: Polish flags have been put up in Grodno. If they are removed today, it does not mean that something is not brewing in people's heads over there. You can see how some clergymen of our catholic church and the orthodox one behave. This is why it is also your area of responsibility. And on the whole, you have to understand that NATO member states have not calmed down outside our country whatever they may say.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned his recent phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo. “He and I maintain very good relations. Everything they write in Telegram channels is rubbish. He didn't demand anything from me. It was a very warm conversation, a kind one. Still I told him directly that I understand what is going on. I warned him: we will respond in kind if some actions are attempted by Poland, Lithuania, and possibly Ukraine (it is out of the question, they have something else on their mind), but Poles and Lithuanians, primarily Poles because there is virtually no army in Lithuania,” the president stated.
“He assured me that it can never happen and will not happen. I told him I heard him. We hear it but we have to respond. I am not talking about Minsk for now, I am talking about western parts of the country,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko explained that Valery Vakulchik and Yuri Karayev had been appointed his aides for Brest Oblast and Grodno Oblast respectively because there is important work that needs doing over there. “Because I don't have people, who are more reliable than they are. I've considered other ways to employ them. But I still think these are the most important jobs. There is work that needs doing over there,” the Belarusian leader said. “Particularly the western direction, Valery Pavlovich [Vakulchik]. You've always paid attention to it as a KGB officer and the KGB chief. Nevertheless, you can see how things have turned out. This is why you have to share all the knowledge with Yuri Khadzhimuratovich [Karayev].”
“Because we cannot be calm about Poland's intention to grab entire Belarus. You know that they will fail even if the entire NATO invades Belarus. Even if we stand alone, they will fail. We will all die for our country. God forbid of course. They have to be aware of it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko concluded.
