MINSK, 25 April (BelTA) – The National Security Concept contains a confidential part, which is not available for public discussion. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement in his speech at a session of the 7th Belarusian People’s Congress on 25 April, BelTA has learned.
The head of state described in detail the military and political situation evolving in the region as a whole and directly at the Belarusian borders. The situation is complicated and in these circumstances it is necessary to pay close attention to the young generation, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced.
“All of us, primarily the parents, whose kids are now viewed as recruiting material by Western security agencies, should pay more attention to the youth,” he stressed.
In today’s reality the system designed to ensure Belarus’ national security cannot objectively stay unchanged, the president stated. “It has acquired a new topic: nuclear deterrence. Those, who will push us towards it, should know about it and have a rational look at straightforward consequences of their ill-considered decisions, to put it mildly,” the head of state warned.
“We have learned not only Ukraine’s lessons. We have learned well the lessons taught by the Great Patriotic War. Particularly the initial stage when those, who attacked us, were placated. When we were afraid to say anything that may trigger the enemy at the border. And what did we get? [The enemy] reached Moscow within less than half a year. It is a lesson for us,” the president added.
The adoption of two most important documents concerning strategic planning is on the agenda of the Belarusian People’s Congress session: the updated National Security Concept and Belarus’ Military Doctrine.
“They reflect key changes of the global military and political situation, national views on maintaining international peace and stability, ensuring military security of our country and its armed defense. Provisions on public accord, inviolability of the foundations of people’s power and a law-governed state,” the president identified the key points.
In his words, not only leading experts and security professionals have worked on the National Security Concept but also representatives of the civil society and concerned citizens. Everyone, who cares about the future of the country, could get familiar with the text of the document and participate in discussions, make concrete proposals on expanding it.
“Understandably, not all the mechanisms designed to protect national interests, national security have been submitted for discussion. In order to recognize the seriousness and the importance of the concept, you should know that a confidential legal act will be enacted in furtherance of this document. It will establish a system of indicators for all spheres of life (politics, economy, military affairs, and other ones),” the head of state clarified. “These indicators are used to evaluate the state of national security periodically. We study the state of affairs in various spheres, make the relevant conclusions, and present them to the Belarusian nation.”
The president explained that stipulating individual provisions in the concept that is general in nature would not be sufficient: “It is necessary to track how the situation changes, how the priorities we identify are being fulfilled, and what response measures need to be taken.”
As a result, Aleksandr Lukashenko explained, the work produces a comprehensive review of the development of the state at a certain stage. Essentially these two documents – the concept and its confidential part – make up one whole.
“We will be the ones to deal with the complicated tasks stipulated by the concept and the doctrine! Because time has chosen us, as we said,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed as he was summing up results of his speech. “I am not trying to scare you as many will start claiming but we have no right to withhold information from you. The situation is serious.”
