A. Lukashenko considers it inadmissible to repeat the mistakes of the "shock therapy" of the 1990s.
22/11/20110 views
On November 22, Minsk / Vladimir Matveev - BELTA /. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko considers it unacceptable to repeat the mistakes of the "shock therapy" of the 1990s. He stated this today at a meeting on the proposals of the government and the National Bank for the draft forecast, budget and main directions of monetary policy for 2012, a BELTA correspondent reports.
"We have to consider issues of exceptional importance that will most directly affect the life of the country in the coming year," the President noted, opening the meeting.
Alexander Lukashenko recalled a conversation that took place at a recent meeting on the disposal of state property. "I am seriously concerned that the government has become too carried away with market reforms and is trying, I think, out of misunderstanding, to change the policy and program guidelines that were adopted at the Fourth All-Belarusian People's Congress," said the Belarusian leader.
Addressing the participants of the meeting, the head of state emphasized: "We all started blaming the government. But I want everyone sitting at this table to stand alongside the government and take on their share of the criticism that was addressed to it. Our government is not some separate body that pursues the policy it fancies. We are all involved in the policy that was and is being pursued."
"The policy pursued was correct and will continue to be pursued in this vein. All the main criteria of this policy, its main directions have not just been defined by us - they have been hard-won. No one is allowed to deviate from this policy. These are the frameworks within which we will act tomorrow, are acting today, and acted yesterday," the President added.
"But to propose the shock therapy that we all went through in the 1990s, and on which both we and our neighbors got burned then, is unacceptable today," the head of state stressed. "If at that time such a policy was somewhat forgivable, because we were under the influence of various Western funds and experts, we trusted them, not understanding its real consequences, then now we must not repeat the same mistakes."
According to Alexander Lukashenko, even the West is currently seeking ways to curb market forces, resorting to nationalization and widespread strengthening of state control and management of socio-economic processes. "Our economic capabilities and current conditions do not allow for ill-considered experiments that would have the most negative impact on the well-being of the people. We must not forget that the economy is not solely about business and does not protect the interests of merchants alone," the President noted, emphasizing that reasonable economic management means maintaining a balance of interests for all segments of the population.
"This is precisely why thoughtful decision-making at the state level is necessary, taking into account all consequences, both for the economy as a whole and for each individual. Everyone must see that the policy of our state has served and will continue to serve the people. No one is allowed to deviate from this principle," the Head of State stated.
According to him, following a recent discussion at a meeting on the management of state property, documents concerning economic development forecasts for 2012 were thoroughly revised. "I hope everyone understands that these should be a true guide to action, a real mobilizing program that is mandatory for implementation," the President remarked.
Alexander Lukashenko also drew the attention of the meeting participants to a number of negative phenomena and shortcomings that need to be overcome. According to him, a deep analysis of the current situation is required today in order to build plans not on sand, but on solid ground. "Unfortunately, even a cursory look at the statistics shows that this year's forecast will not be met. There are numerous problems in industry, agriculture, housing construction, and modernization. And most alarmingly, the well-being of the people has deteriorated, severely hit by inflation. By abandoning the established practice of regulating prices and other economic processes, we have obtained negative results and serious problems, the resolution of which now requires additional effort and resources," the Head of State said.
The current situation in the banking sector also does not contribute to meeting the forecast for the current year. This particularly concerns the cost of credit resources, the President added."Instead of energetic government measures to effectively mobilize resources and forces to overcome negative phenomena, I see only discussions and lengthy reasoning about the merits of the liberal development model, reliance on radical reforms," Alexander Lukashenko noted with regret.
"And the inconsistency in actions and the dissemination of various scaremongering stories in the press, which they themselves use to frighten themselves, are quite unpleasant surprises. But it would be only half the trouble if this did not negatively affect the state of society," the Belarusian leader emphasized. "I warn everyone - think before you say something. Do not forget about the political aspects of economic actions and statements. We are not old women gossiping on a doorstep, but state employees, people responsible for their words."
In conclusion, Alexander Lukashenko stressed that he expects a clear answer from the meeting participants on what specific measures the government and the National Bank are taking to solve the existing problems, and what reserves need to be involved for this. "And most importantly - where do you see the sources of resources for the development of the economy next year," the Belarusian leader said. -0-
BELTA