18 June, Shklov District / Vladimir Vasilkov - BELTA/. The average salary in Belarus should reach $500 by the time of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly. This was announced to journalists today by the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. "By the congress, we must reach an average salary level of $500," the head of state emphasized. "We will strive for this in every way. Unless, of course, we are not hit again by some unfortunate 'wave' coming from the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean." The Belarusian leader added that "in general, all calculations are prepared, and we are, as they say, on schedule." Alexander Lukashenko recalled that the Belarusian government recently began raising wages across the country, starting with public sector employees. "This is a start, a good start in raising salaries, and not the last one. We are moving away from the consequences of the global crisis, which also affected us," he said. At the same time, Alexander Lukashenko noted that the residents of Mogilev can demonstrate by their own example how to earn $500 even in agriculture. Speaking about the OAO "Alexandriyskoye" farm, which he visited today, the President said: "Here, people receive $500 and more. Therefore, I should not be the one to answer the question of how to earn $500, but you should tell the whole country how it needs to be done." At the same time, the head of state stated that "in general, we still have a lot of work to do to reach this level across the country." -0-

BELTA