22.03.2012
Lukashenko blames fifth column for EU blacklist
MINSK, 22 March (BelTA) – The EU travel ban list has been adopted on the tip of the fifth column in Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview to Alexander Gurnov, head and host of the program Spotlight (Prozhektor) of the TV company Russia Today, on 20 March.
The head of state commented on the information regarding one of Belarusian opposition figures, former chairman of the Belarusian parliament Stanislav Shushkevich barred from leaving the country: “The European Union has adopted a so-called blacklist which includes your obedient servant as well. This list has been approved on the tip of our fifth column led by one of its leaders Stanislav Shushkevich.”
When asked about retaliatory measures, Alexander Lukashenko said: “We have compiled our blacklist in response. We have not introduced it in full yet. But we will certainly do it. These people provide the West with names and companies and suggest imposing economic sanctions.”
The President noted that he has always treated his predecessors with respect. With this, the Belarusian leader pointed out the policy pursued by Stanislav Shushkevich in his time. “As for his policy, one action is enough to describe this person when he together with Kravchuk (Ukraine’s first president Leonid Kravchuk – BelTA’s note) insisted on the dissolution of the Soviet Union,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
The head of state commented on the information regarding one of Belarusian opposition figures, former chairman of the Belarusian parliament Stanislav Shushkevich barred from leaving the country: “The European Union has adopted a so-called blacklist which includes your obedient servant as well. This list has been approved on the tip of our fifth column led by one of its leaders Stanislav Shushkevich.”
When asked about retaliatory measures, Alexander Lukashenko said: “We have compiled our blacklist in response. We have not introduced it in full yet. But we will certainly do it. These people provide the West with names and companies and suggest imposing economic sanctions.”
The President noted that he has always treated his predecessors with respect. With this, the Belarusian leader pointed out the policy pursued by Stanislav Shushkevich in his time. “As for his policy, one action is enough to describe this person when he together with Kravchuk (Ukraine’s first president Leonid Kravchuk – BelTA’s note) insisted on the dissolution of the Soviet Union,” Alexander Lukashenko said.