28 January, Minsk /BELTA/. The situation in the border guard service of Belarus is far from satisfactory. This was stated by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on 27 January at a meeting of the expanded board of the State Border Committee on the issues of protecting the state border of Belarus, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
Opening the meeting, the President noted that its holding was not caused by any extraordinary circumstances. "But the situation in the border committee is far from what I would like to see as the head of state," the Belarusian leader emphasized.
"It seems that we understand the tasks, and there are people to solve these tasks and problems. We have agreed on many things with at least the last two heads of the border agency, but there are many tasks that are not being solved today," Alexander Lukashenko stated.
The head of state explained in this regard why Colonel-General Leonid Maltsev was appointed as the Chairman of the State Border Committee. "This is not because, as some may think, Lukashenko is dissatisfied with Maltsev," the President said. Alexander Lukashenko recalled that some time ago he had a meeting with the heads of law enforcement agencies and a number of other officials. It was caused by another instance of violation of order at the border. "And this was the last straw. I then told Leonid Semyonovich: one more such violation, and either you or I will have to go to the border troops. He says: this is not the President's business, so I will go. Such a violation occurred over time, and Leonid Semyonovich had to fulfill his promise. This is the reason why Colonel-General Maltsev was sent to the border in order to, by directly heading this department, identify the threats, shortcomings that exist today, and restore order. He will fulfill this presidential order, whatever it takes," the Belarusian leader said.
Addressing the participants of the meeting, the President added: "And you need to get used to this if you have come to serve not just in the army, but in the border troops. And not because the President served in them, but because the border troops are special, they operate in combat conditions. We are preparing the army in case, God forbid, of course. Perhaps there will be no such case. But the border troops are already performing their combat missions. This is their peculiarity."
"The most important thing is that your shortcomings, failures at the last meter of our land, can have huge consequences for the entire country," stressed Alexander Lukashenko.
The Head of State inquired about the implementation of his instructions and the development of border guard agencies, what problems still remain, and what needs to be done to solve them. He noted that a year ago, when approving the decision on guarding the state border of Belarus for 2013, the main tasks were defined and the areas of activity in this sphere were specified. They formed the basis of the developed draft law on border security, which is currently in parliament.
"It must be said frankly that not everything planned is being implemented to the due extent. Even a cursory analysis shows that the border agency has not always managed to adequately respond to new challenges in general, or to changes in the operational situation at the border in particular. We all know perfectly well that the security of the state begins precisely with the state border," the President said. "Everyone must understand that border security does not come by itself, it is not a gift from heaven, but the result of meticulous daily work of many structures. Of course, the central place in its organization is assigned to the border guard agencies. But without coordinated, concerted actions of all links of the state management system, success is impossible."
According to Alexander Lukashenko, the State Border Committee is generally coping with the tasks assigned to it. "However, the current situation requires a more active search for and implementation of measures to counter modern threats and challenges," believes the Belarusian leader.
Alexander Lukashenko also drew attention to a number of factors that influence the work at the border. "We talk a lot about the World Championship, but not only. We are always at the forefront and defend here not only our own interests, but also the interests of Russia and Kazakhstan. Because integration processes have led to the formation of a Single Economic Space - read: a single economic state. And you here, in contact with the West and NATO, are performing a responsible service," noted the Head of State.
Chairman of the State Border Committee Leonid Maltsev reported on the results of the operational and service activities of the border service bodies for 2013 and the main approaches to state border protection in 2014. According to him, last year 22 channels of illegal migration were suppressed, and active efforts were made to combat illegal migration, smuggling, and illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and weapons. "The existing plans for interaction with republican bodies generally contribute to the protection of our borders, but the situation is constantly changing, and our interaction needs continuous improvement. Then the indicators of joint activities at the border can be more significant," believes Leonid Maltsev.
The border service bodies plan to make more active use of modern technical means in border protection, including unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, starting this year, an electronic queue will be introduced as an experiment in some border crossing points. If this practice proves effective, then in the future, the technical innovation will be used more widely.
The head of the border department also said that a set of measures is currently being implemented to prepare for the Ice Hockey World Championship. A mechanism for visa-free entry for fans, guests, and participants of the championship has been developed. Border control for them will be carried out through specially designated channels on a priority basis. They will also be allowed priority entry at border crossing points.
The composition of border patrol shifts will be increased, and a reserve will be formed to address unforeseen tasks. Trained military personnel who know foreign languages will be present at border crossing points. The issue of involving volunteers as translators is being considered.
Head of the Smorgon Border Group Alexander Markevich spoke about the prospects for the development of the state border protection system in the area of this group. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the Lithuanian direction is one of the most challenging due to the large flow of goods and passengers. In addition, the construction of a nuclear power plant imposes additional obligations.
Measures are being developed to increase the throughput of certain border crossing points. For example, the issue of reclassifying the simplified crossing point "Losha" to a category that allows empty freight vehicles and buses to cross the border is being addressed. This should significantly reduce the load on the busy crossing points "Kamenny Log" and "Kotlovka".
Minister of Transport and Communications Anatoly Sivak reported on the development of railway and aviation border crossing points and the measures being taken to prepare transport infrastructure facilities for the 2014 World Hockey Championship in Minsk at the meeting. The development of railway border crossing points is being carried out in accordance with the approved program until 2020, which includes the development of infrastructure and improvement of conditions for border, customs and other types of control, and law enforcement. In addition, the Ministry's own plans are being implemented to prepare transport infrastructure facilities for the upcoming World Championship.
The President noted that transport workers need to work more actively with border guards at crossing points and provide them with the necessary assistance.
Deputy Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee, Chairman of the Regional Border Commission Viktor Sakovsky spoke about the results of the implementation of the state border policy in the border area of the Brest region. Similar commissions have been established and are operating in all regions of Belarus.
According to Viktor Sakovsky, the main efforts of local authorities are directed towards organizing close interaction between territorial internal affairs bodies and border service bodies on issues of ensuring public order in the border area. Volunteer detachments and units of young friends of border guards are being created. Measures are also being taken to maintain the operational status of existing simplified crossing points and repair the roads leading to them. The local population is informed about the rules of conduct in the border zone and the penalties for violating border legislation.
However, Alexander Lukashenko expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the regional commissions. "Is the creation of these commissions not excessive bureaucracy or formalism?" the Head of State addressed the question to Leonid Maltsev.
The Chairman of the State Border Committee acknowledged that many plans, unfortunately, have only been implemented on paper, and bureaucracy is indeed abundant. "Moreover, if previously the correct slogan was that the entire Soviet people guarded the border, then now in the border regions, not everyone, but many see border guards and customs officers not as those who protect them, but as those who hinder them from doing their business. And in these conditions, I believe that these border commissions should actively work to establish order in the border territory," said Leonid Maltsev.
The President emphasized that there should be no formalism in the work of such commissions. "We need to see how these commissions work, study them, maybe give them more tasks," suggested Alexander Lukashenko. "Maybe abolish them altogether if they are not needed and do not work. But there should be no formalism here. If they were created and are needed, let's work effectively."
Speaking about the border service agencies in general, the President demanded that consideration be given to how to optimize the forces and means they use. "Everything superfluous from the border committee must be removed, and this will be an example for all departments. We need to optimize. All these service columns, units, military units, groups. All this must be removed in the interests and for the benefit of the state border," believes the head of state. "No matter what drones there are, no one will replace a border guard on that last meter of land. Perhaps I am too conservative, but it seems to me that without him, the border will not be closed. Everything else is auxiliary means, and we need to see if we need them."
"I will not talk about the World Championship again. It is very important, but it is not the main thing. The championship will take place, and everything we create must work for our people and the state," added the Belarusian leader.
Alexander Lukashenko also warned that following the Armed Forces, a check of the border service agencies would be carried out. "Somewhere in late spring or summer, we will very seriously check the border troops and how the state border is guarded. We need to look at a corresponding plan today, as we did for the Armed Forces. We will check in all directions," said the head of state.
The President gave specific instructions regarding the development of concrete measures that will strengthen the country's authority as a guarantor of stability and security on the borders shared with the European Union countries. "It is necessary to more effectively use the EU's interest in a strong border. Therefore, I once again emphasized and set tasks for Leonid Semyonovich to demonstrate to the European Union and the entire world community that Belarus is a country that should be loved, valued, and respected. And in this regard, we must hold a series of events. They should see that we are fighting both migrants and contraband, and detecting radioactive substances. We need to demonstrate our significance," noted Alexander Lukashenko. "We have professionals, a school, and personnel. Give us money, technical means - and we will work together. And value us as your partners."
Following the meeting of the collegium, the head of state approved the decision on the protection of the state border of the Republic of Belarus by the border service bodies in 2014. -0-
News of Belarus (BELTA)