MINSK, 19 June (BelTA) – Banks should not finance political campaigns, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a government conference in Minsk on 19 June, BelTA has learned.
“They should not divert financial resources to help capitalists line up their pockets, buy paintings and bring them into the country as a philanthropist,” the head of state said. “A great philanthropist indeed! And everyone believed it, especially people here in Minsk. I thought that he did good bringing the paintings to Belarus. It turns out he is no philanthropist! The paintings were not brought here for the Belarusian people and the state. They claim the paintings belong to them, the shareholders of Belgazprombank. We now see what kind of shareholders. All of them have confessed: where the paintings came from, with what money they were bought. The estimated cost of the paintings alone is more than $20 million,” the president said.
“How can this happen?” the president asked Chairman of the Board of the National Bank Pavel Kallaur. “They have no money for the economy, but have enough to line up their pockets, buy property abroad, move hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars abroad, buy paintings, bring them here and so on... ,” the head of state remarked.
He also explained why “they had not been arrested sooner”. “We are eating a pie today, because it was not ready yet yesterday. That is why I would like to warn all those preoccupied people: do not rush us, we will deal with all the issues in time”.
“If anyone has any questions, they are welcome to address them to [Chairman of the State Control Committee] Ivan Stanislavovich Tertel. He has already explained everything twice, and if necessary, he will do it for the third time. If necessary, others will explain this as well,” said the Belarusian leader.
“They complain about the refinancing rate, or the lack of resources, and other things. At the same time, there is enough money to steal and move abroad. Or to give all the profits to those running for the presidential seat. Profits of an entire bank! Where do banks get the profit? They claim there is no money in the bank! Of course, they are taking money from people, enterprises, create profit, and then give it away for the political campaign. Is this the right attitude for bankers?” Aleksandr Lukashenko wondered.
“Nothing like that happens anywhere else in the world. Because banks, bankers, bank employees are careful, they understand that money likes silence. They do not indulge in such behavior. Yet they do here. But I can see, and not only me, those behind this campaign. I can see who is pulling strings of these puppets who want to make our people happy,” the president said.