Statement of Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko on Tu-154 plane crash in Russia
Belarus cannot stand aside from the tragic events in Russia, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in Minsk on 26 December.
“A terrible tragedy happened in our Russia yesterday. Unfortunately, this sequence of tragedies was an ill fate for our brotherly nation: a big number of people died in Irkutsk from alcohol poisoning, Russia’s Ambassador was killed in Turkey, a massive loss of life was caused by the crash of the military plane carrying 92 people. Crew members, famous artists, mass media representatives, servicemen and civil servants, a doctor died in the plane crash. Of course, on this day we could not stand aside from these tragic events,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
The President remarked that the state flags are flown at half mast, entertainment events are abolished in Belarus in solidarity with the Russian nation. “There was a huge response to this tragedy from our people who visited the Russian embassy. I think that the number of people coming to the embassy will not decrease, so I want the law enforcement bodies to maintain public order near the embassy,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “The Book of Condolences was opened at the Russian embassy on 26 December. I am convinced that our civil servants and other people will respond and come to the embassy.”
The participants of the meeting with the head of state observed a minute of silence to commemorate the victims of the tragedy in Russia.
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Special attention should be attached to the maintenance of public security and order during the New Year and Christmas holidays, Belarus President said during the government session in Minsk on 26 December.
“The recent events in Russia, including an explosion of a gas cylinder in the Moscow metro, road accidents, and other events, show that we should not relax even for one moment. No one is protected against such terrible events. On the contrary, we are in the epicenter. Therefore, we must preserve peace and accord in our country whatever it takes. This is the main thing,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
“If we fail to do it, no economy, food, external and internal financing will be needed. The issues of security and stability in our society are the priorities,” the head of state said.
He urged local authorities, heads of rural councils, the government, the State Secretariat of the Security Council, the State Control Committee, the Belarus President Administration to pay special attention to corresponding issues.
“I would like you to be especially attentive in the run-up to the mass events connected with the merry holidays for all people – New Year and Christmas,” the President noted. “Terrible accidents when people die in the anticipation of these holidays are inadmissible.”
“It is especially important for the law enforcement bodies to do their best to maintain public security and order during the New Year and Christmas celebrations,” the head of state added.