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September 7, 2004
PRESS RELEASE
Statement
by President of the Republic of Belarus
Alexander Lukashenko
Dear compatriots,
Pursuant to the Constitution of our State currently in force,
I have signed into action the Decree on the holding of the nationwide
referendum.
It will take place on the 17th of October this year. Why has
this very date been chosen?
As you know, the 17th of October is the date for the holding
of elections to the Belarusian parliament. It is a wide–scale, responsible
and politically important campaign. Elections both mobilize, unite the
society and divert it away from current problems. To avoid such a digression
and not to interrupt you in implementing the tasks put forward before you
and your families, it has been decided to combine the forthcoming elections
with the referendum. What is more, it will make it possible for us to avoid
extra expenditures by combining together these events.
One question is going to be submitted to the referendum and
this is how it reads:
“Do you allow the first President of the Republic of Belarus
Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko to participate in the presidential
election as a candidate for the post of the President of the Republic of
Belarus and do you accept Part 1 of Article 81 of the Constitution of the
Republic of Belarus in the wording that follows: “The President shall be
elected directly by the people of the Republic of Belarus for a term of five
years by universal, free, equal, direct and secret ballot?”
As I had promised you before, in case I decide to participate
in the 2006 presidential election, I will necessarily take your advice and
ask for your permission. And I am acting appropriately.
I have not attempted designing various schemes and
combinations, I am acting honestly and, as always, openly. Whereas you,
whenever asked, have always been supporting me. It is thanks to full mutual
understanding between the Head of State and the people that we have attained
definite results in our development.
Just look back at the times that were ten years ago.
Major enterprises used to work only for 2–3 days a week. The
average monthly wages and salaries totaled 20–25 dollars. Pensioners used to
have half a year's arrears in pension payments. There were many months'
arrears in wages and salary payments. Plunderage of the people's economy was
gaining force. The Army, the law–enforcement system were being collapsed
while persons wearing shoulder straps, defenders of the Fatherland, were
placed into a humiliating situation.
The feeling of distress and despair prevailed amongst the
majority of the people.
I am far from claiming that for all these years everything
was being done properly. There were mistakes and shortcomings. I acknowledge
them and feel them keenly.
But not only did we take the people away from the abyss — our
country has firmly entered the path of construction, of consistent
development.
Our State is steadily moving forward, thanks to its own toil,
without making debts.
All major enterprises are working in their full capacity.
Their products are in demand both in the East and in the West. We have
extended the Belarusian positions in the most prestigious segments of the
global market.
Yes, indeed, we are not living a wealthy life yet. But the
welfare of our Belarusian families is growing increasingly.
As it was planned, the average monthly wages and salaries
will reach nearly US$ 200 by the end of the current year, while the
following year they will necessarily reach US$ 250. Pensions will rise,
scholarships too.
Families with many children will get enhanced support,
especially with regard to housing they will be provided.
When you start thinking over whether you will turn up at the
referendum and what your vote will be, put a question to yourselves: do you
want to finish the construction of our home for our children whose
foundation had been laid by us together? A tranquil and cosy home, where
peace and harmony reign.
Just look around: the entire Belarus looks like an enormous
construction site. Getting better and developing are Minsk, regional,
district centers, and villages. With our own hands, we are transforming
Belarus into one of the most beautiful parts of Europe.
We have preserved villages, we have supported peasants.
Nearly 6 million metric tons of grain harvest last year and over 7 million
tons this year imply great work behind, not only favorable weather.
Our country has reached the results which make it possible to
really resolve a large–scale and qualitatively new problem of reviving
villages.
Such deeds have never been performed, nor will they be
performed by way of a “self–flow”. All this work will be failure–doomed
without an everyday and most energetic pressing of the President, of all the
leaders of our State.
Telling you all this, I worry about our country being very
vulnerable.
Belarus, with its clean lakes, natural forests, with the
unplundered national economy is attracting avid interests from all sides.
I recognize very well the people who since long ago, to put
it simply, “have been eating their way through the soil” to come to power in
2006. I know where, from whom, and with what kind of promises they obtain
money.
The plans of their sponsors are also understandable. It is
regarded as a profitable investment. If they succeed in promoting to the
post of the President a person they feed, they'll get Belarusian plants,
factories, our entire country and our land.
Over the recent years, I have not had a more important work
than that you made it my duty — to guard our Belarus. To make it clean, rich
and beautiful, to protect it from infringements of those who dislike our
calm and creative style of life.
And for all these years I have been holding with care and
reverence this radiant and fragile vessel whose name is Belarus. I am
carrying it, and am afraid of dropping it, so fragile and vulnerable it is.
You cannot but agree that we would not like this purity and
beauty created by us to fall into the hands of an irresponsible and
incidental politician.
That is why I am putting the above–mentioned question to you
at the referendum.
Another point. A new century has brought new threats, with
terrorism being the most horrible of them. Innocent people, women, children
die, or become cripples.
What has happened in Russia is viewed by us as our own grief.
The mightiest powers have failed to guard themselves against
this plague of the 21st century. Just recall what had been done by the
terrorists to the United States three years ago. Every day, we get reports
of deaths, kidnappings of citizens of the states which participate in the
occupation of Iraq.
May God protect us — over these ten years no Belarusian has
become a victim of a terrorist act, of an armed conflict. We have guarded
our country against involvement into international adventures which could
threaten your lives and security even to a smallest degree.
This is our greatest achievement.
Therefore at the referendum you will be voting for the
security of our country, for the life and health of your children and
grandchildren.
Finally, the opposition members striving for power will be
trying to convince you that Lukashenko seizes power treacherously and
contrary to the Constitution, wanting to be the President until the end of
his life.
Remember: today the question is not in electing the
President, not in extending the term in office — we will be having elections
in summer of 2006.
The question regards my right as a citizen and President of
Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to participate in the elections to come. And
such a right can be granted to me, according to our Constitution, only by
yourselves…
There will be plenty of advisers eagerly wanting experiments
and dislocations.
But it is you who are to decide — with your heart and mind.
Think it over!
I wish you happiness, peace, and restful soul.
Your President. |
