President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, while presenting state awards and general's epaulets, particularly emphasized the important role of the people and work collectives in ensuring the well-being and independence of the state, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, while presenting state awards and general's epaulets, particularly emphasized the important role of the people and work collectives in ensuring the well-being and independence of the state, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
"We are nothing without our people, without those who work every day in the fields, farms, factories, plants, who vigilantly guard the borders of our Fatherland, protect the sovereignty and independence of our country," stated the Belarusian leader.
The President noted that the current situation in Belarus is described by some as a "difficult time." "But it has never been easy for us, especially for peasants," Alexander Lukashenko remarked. "They are out in the open. If there is no rain today and the land is parched, it's bad. If it's flooded with rain, it's also bad. It's always difficult, but any difficulties and problems are opportunities. If it's tough, you have to endure, go through this path correctly, and learn lessons."
The President continued this analogy when discussing street protests in a number of Belarusian cities. "It's bad when all sorts of people, in violation of law and order, take to the peaceful, quiet, cozy streets of our cities, especially the capital. But, as I said, lessons must be learned from this, and every event has two sides to the coin. I said it's bad. But there is also something useful in this: finally, they understood (here, in Minsk, accustomed to comfort, warmth, luxurious apartments – they are mostly the ones on the streets, earning disproportionately high incomes by our standards and in our country) that they could lose," said Alexander Lukashenko.
"And people are already saying: we want the country that existed before the elections. It was as we saw it and wanted to see it, and it will always remain so as long as I am President. I want you to clearly understand this," added the head of state.
The President noted that his words could be seen as a kind of justification, and confirmed that this was partly true. "I say sincerely: I am ashamed before the peasants who, in the most difficult conditions, when they were 'bombed' from above and below, and frightened by coronavirus from all sides, have provided an unprecedented harvest this year, as well as the food security of our country," said Alexander Lukashenko.
The Head of State once again thanked the work collectives, employees of various sectors for their contribution to ensuring the well-being and independence of the country. "It is only thanks to you, your labor, that this piece of land in the center of Europe exists today, which many who wish to rule us have set their sights on. But we are capable of governing ourselves, our country, and creating normal conditions not only for you and me, but also for our children and grandchildren. They will have no other land - remember this. I always say: perhaps we do not live richly, but, as older people say, Belarusians have never lived like this before. Therefore, let us preserve our country, and all our wealth will depend only on us. The well-being and prosperity of our Motherland will depend only on us," the President emphasized.