Aleksandr Lukashenko holds press conference for Russian regional mass media
- 13
Belarusian-Russian integration contributes to the preservation of unity in the entire Eurasian space, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the press conference held for Russian regional mass media on 11 October.
The press conference lasted for five and a half hours. The President answered more than 30 questions about the Belarusian-Russian cooperation in various industries, participation of Belarus in integration processes. Journalists also asked questions about Belarus’ experience of state construction, social reforms, development of economy and the manufacturing industry. The head of state also answered questions about the prospects of cooperation of Belarus with various Russian regions which were represented by the reporters. The press conference helped reveal a number of problem issues in the bilateral cooperation. Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed the government to address these issues.
About the importance of unity on the post-Soviet space
The global financial crisis has affected all the countries, including Belarus. It has dampened the pace of economic development, made the export of products and services complicated, particularly starting from H2 2013. This is why it has never been more important for Belarus and Russia to be together in order to more successfully overcome emerging problems. We know that things are not easy in Russia, too, particularly in the production sector. You have seen that we are not as rich as Russia in gifts from the God. Therefore, our entire country is all about the real production sector of the economy, something that is made by hands and brains of our people. Therefore, things are difficult for us right now.
It is also important that the Belarusian-Russian integration contributes to the preservation of unity in the entire Eurasian space. It is the historical significance of Belarusian-Russian relations in modern conditions. Together with Russians we were the first to embark upon such a deep integration after the Soviet Union collapse, a level of integration that we have reached neither in the Customs Union nor in the Single Economic Space. Today we put consistent efforts, we work together for the sake of creating the Eurasian Economic Union. I would like to underline that these processes are not a meaningless phrase. Thanks to tight economic, political, and other ties between our states we already have an excellent opportunity to sell merchandise on the huge market and to protect interests of our countries against external threats together. If we feel brotherly shoulder, it is easier to go through new political and economic challenges and a lot of them are ahead…
Every year competition gets tougher across the globe. The strong ones dictate their terms to the entire world and often disregard not only international norms but basic logic and any kind of decency. Belarus is a peaceful country that has lived through a lot of hardships in its history. But nobody can reproach us for making problems primarily for our neighbors. We work alone to build our sovereign independent state. We are open to cooperation with everyone, who understands us and is ready to respect our national interests. I am convinced that Russia understands that a friendly and rapidly developing Belarus is a reliable ally in the modern unpredictable world…
Belarus highly appreciates the support and fruitful cooperation with its strategic partner in economic, defense, foreign trade, social, cultural affairs. During the current media tour you visited a factory, in which Russian investments had been poured. There are a total of over 2,500 enterprises with Russian capital in Belarus. The number rises all the time as well as the volume of our mutual trade. The fact that between 1996 and 2012 the trade turnover has increased nearly sevenfold – from $6.5 billion to $44 billion — vividly confirms it. The comparatively small Belarus is Russia’s second largest foreign trade partner among the CIS states and the sixth largest trade partner among all the countries of the world. If the present impressive trend continues in the near future we are quite capable of raising the trade turnover to $50 billion…
You have seen the real picture, the way Belarus lives every day. We are proud of our accomplishments but do not hide the shortcomings and there are many of those. Nobody can have an easy life in the modern world.
About the essence of the talk
I am ready to answer all kinds of questions of Russian journalists and it is not a publicity move on my part. It is easier for some people to do publicity moves in Belarus than for me to do the same in Russia. You see that we are not closed for Russian mass media. All, even hateful TV channels broadcast in Belarus. And decent channels that mark the anniversary are also available in Belarus with various programs like Batka 1, Batka 2, three, four… We do not close our media space for them. Every day our people see Russia the way you present it via mass media…
Thanks to the mass media you represent, a huge audience, from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, will get reliable information about our people, their lives and aspirations, about companies and organizations, about the benefits of integration projects for Russians and Belarusians…
Unfortunately, if it were not for you, Russians would get little information about Belarus, if any. Therefore, the only objective of my meetings with you and your media trips to Belarus is to give you an opportunity to show Belarus as it is, so that Russian people living across the Urals, in the Far East and other parts of Russia will know that Belarusians are strong people who value strong friendly ties, and have a great attitude to Russian people, that nothing has changed after that horrible war when we fought side by side and died together in trenches. We were and still are allies and I really hope that we will keep expanding our cooperation despite some obstacles. I wish that those haters that wanted to break our ties were never happy with their own successes. That is what my publicity moves are about.
About the relations with the President of Russia
It is more important how we discuss issues rather than what issues we discuss. These are always absolutely friendly talks. We always can sit down and have a candid discussion of any issue which sometimes is even inadmissible in relations, for instance, between Russia and the United States, other countries. It is a great achievement. When holding talks with any state, you always stick to some canons, protocols, and diplomatic things. Here, we feel as if we live in one state. We have good relations although I would not say they have always been cloudless. We have always had enough issues to address. There were disagreements, and you remember them. We did not hide their reasons. But the main thing was how we settled those disputes. We settled them as friends, without any huge damage to each other. Our relations and our dialogue are a set of issues we have between our states. And not only issues. There are good things as well, and we are happy to note them. It is always a pleasure to discuss such things…
Problems in relations between Belarus and Russia are mainly objective. We have been recently paying more attention to integration. The matter pertains to the Union State of Belarus and Russia and the establishment of the Single Economic Space and the Eurasian Economic Union in the future. We have a lot of issues here since all these processes affect the three countries: Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, starting from ordinary people up to large holding companies and associations.
We are planning many joint Belarusian-Russian events. For example, the recently-held military exercise West 2013. I do not know why it gave such a hard time to the whole NATO machine. They were deeply concerned about the exercise. But everything is clear as day here: there is an army, military people who have to hone their skills in order to perform their duties professionally. If it is necessary, they need to learn. So we learnt together. Belarus and Russia have a joint armed group in the region, with the Belarusian army comprising the bulk of it. In case of any conflict or, God forbid, a war, we have plans that the first strike will be addressed by the Belarusian army who will be reinforced by the troops of the Russian Federation on the same day to defend our joint space.
About the Union State
Today the Union State construction process is not only a guideline but some program, a template for creating new integration associations, including the Eurasian Economic Union…
The Union State project was the first integration project in the ex-USSR. We have done a lot in this regard. Let me quote you a simple example: when we speak about this or that matter within the framework of the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space, I just stay away from such discussions. We have gone through those discussions in the Union State.
A session of the Supreme State Council took place some time ago. For some reason the Russian government did not take part in the Union State Council of Ministers session which was supposed to take place in September, if I am not mistaken. They said that Kerimov was offended and others were, too. If that was the reason, then we will just have to wait. It means that we still have problems in the Union State.
About regional cooperation
They ask me to meet with them (Russian governors who come to Belarus. – Editors’ note). I understand this is not presidential level. To come to any country and meet with the first person is prestigious for a politician. I understand them. I am ready to work for their prestige because once they saved our relations with Russia…
There were times when we could break up, and drift far apart from each other. And back then, realizing that not everything was decided in the Kremlin, I suggested we should establish direct regional cooperation. Politicians in the Kremlin, in Moscow sobered up and decided not to hamper these ties. This resulted in all-round collaboration between our regions and regions of the Russian Federation…
In developing commodity distribution networks we do not target Moscow. On the contrary, we are very pleased to work with you, to create joint ventures in the regions, near consumers. We can create venture to recycle, assemble and sell. Why? Because then there will be more interest and responsibility on your part. We will have partners who will be involved in the business we are interested in. It is extremely advantageous. If you have any problems in this regard, we are ready to solve them.
About NATO exercise
We know that NATO will soon be holding the exercise in the Baltic region. We will make a statement to that effect, but only once. We will not go hysterical. I think that the Foreign Ministry, maybe the press service of the Defense Ministry or the minister himself will make a statement on this, but in a human way. “Guys, what’s up? You made a drama out of our exercise and now you are holding one of your own near the borders of Belarus. And what is the aim of the exercise?” This is what we are going to say. Otherwise, it will be a sign of weakness. Why should we be hysterical?
For example, let’s look why Poles reacted that way (upon the West 2013 exercise. – Editors’ note)? Once the Poles agreed to host the US missile defense system. Then, for some reasons, they suspended the process. But Poland wants to revive the project, and quickly. I do not know why they want to put themselves in harm’s way. After all, an anti-missile installation is a priority target for destruction in the event of a conflict. Both the Russians and Belarusians have enough means to disable it. And such capabilities are plenty.
For the Poles this is money. Poland is the stronghold of Americans today on the European continent. It is known to all. And they went hysterical: “Look, this aggressor Lukashenko, the dictator, and the second one in Moscow are about to conquer Poland”. And what is the purpose of this? To get money. Get the money and get the anti-missile defense system to Poland. Because if this defense system is built in Poland, it is natural Poland will get economic benefits and handouts. Because the Americans will have to feed a part of Poland or the whole Poland so that they are quiet and not anti-American and service the missile defense system. There were many reasons for that outcry. But we are not going to appease them and repeat what happened…
Most people know the situation only from mass media. But the Belarusian and Russian military know exactly what happened there. They scrambled all their forces, I just do not know why. They controlled airspace right up to outer space. We were not going to launch ballistic missiles. Why such control? We saw all of this. We have modern means of tracking it. We have seen their nervous reaction but took it calmly.
About humanitarian aid
When the trouble came to Amur Oblast (the recent flood. – Editors’ note) we, of course, came to help. Your governor outlined the possible cooperation areas. The humanitarian assistance, food and other things, which Belarus sent, is only a fraction of what we would like to do for your region…
A program concerning relief effort in the flood-hit areas is being elaborated in the region. We told the governor: you are welcome to include us in any section of the program if you deem it necessary. We will be there and provide considerable assistance… You do not need to thank us for the aid because we simply could not act differently.
About migration policy
Over the past five years more than 35,000 Russian people became permanent residents of Belarus. However, about 9,000 Belarusians were given residence permits in Russia. These are eloquent figures… The biggest problem of ours is not even money (although there are always money issues in these market economy conditions), but people. Belarus needs twice as many residents as it has now, i.e. 20 million people. We are able to feed them. They will work here and produce even more goods. If a Russian wants to live in Belarus we will welcome him.
About death penalty
We have not abolished the death penalty. I do not think it is good that we have the death penalty. But I am not the reason why it has not yet been abolished. There are still such cases in the country when you want to apply the death penalty. For example, the terrorist attack in Minsk metro. Our police found them within three days. What right to life they have if people died in the metro? A range of activities and the way of life in the state must create the security and safety of people… The most important thing is not to forgive. Police should work off the money the state allocates for them.
About the Big Family project
I have once instructed one person, a banker, who has a big family to work through the issue. And he sent a report to me. I have read it and said that I have a proposal. Of course, we will work on the issue. I do not know yet what we will choose. But there is proposal, for instance, to open a bank account to which $10,000 will be credited for the birth of the first child, $10,000 for the birth of the second child and $10,000 for the birth of the third child. These funds cannot be used before a baby turns three years old or comes of age. We have not decided yet. This is just like your maternity capital. But the system is more transparent for people. It will make $350 million per year if we provide $10,000. This is just one proposal…
Three children in the family should become the norm. Only then we will have the future and develop as a normal sovereign and independent state. The price is great, probably $1 billion or even $2 billion. But the goal is great too. Human resources are crucial to a state.
About memory
To preserve the memory of the past, it is not enough to remember the past and commemorate the Great Victory. Every day, every hour we should raise our children and grandchildren; we should tell them about the war. Every night I tell my son stories related to the military events of various periods, not only the Great Patriotic War, but also the Patriotic War of 1812. He is already aware of the war and the damage the Nazi brought. This should be a norm in our families, because young people of today are different, no matter how wonderful and great they are…
Belarus has been doing a lot to preserve the memory of the past. There is the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War and the new building of the museum is under construction now. This will be Europe’s biggest and most advanced museum about the Great Patriotic War.
About potassium
No responsible statesman would act the way he has done (S.Kerimov, a shareholder of Uralkali. – Editors’ note). He doesn’t care in the slightest. It is his way of doing things. He is a market-minded businessman. This enterprise (Uralkali. – Editors’ note) was built by Russians, Belarusians, Tadjiks, Uzbeks… The enterprise was created by everyone many years ago. He grabbed these shares instantaneously and he does what he wants… And Berezniki (the Russian town where Uralkali is located. – Editors’ note) does not profit from getting land slumps. The owners don’t care that the enterprise doesn’t work and that people over there are paid very low salaries!
I am fed up with private businessmen of that kind. They just want to grab their profits and hide them somewhere far away in Cyprus, in Switzerland or some other offshore area…
You can take Uralkali’s shares away from the scoundrels, who have acquired the shares in some incomprehensible ways, and give the shares to people in Berezniki. For $20 billion that the company cost you could have built a blooming paradise there…
Kerimov, Baumgertner and the like promised to bear social responsibility, take care of jobs and so on when they acquired the enterprise. In your place I would have locked up Kerimov and his people for one night. The next day they would have sold all the assets at the top price. If they had failed, I would have found a buyer for them. It would have earned $12-13 billion now. And I would have sent all the money to Berezniki…
You are wasting your time trying to find money in Baumgertner. What money does he have? One hundredth of what Kerimov people have, I’ll have you know. He was an employee but he is guilty…
I have received a letter from Berezniki residents. I intended to travel there and tell the truth to people, to tell them how things happened. But I think they would not understand me right. But we are preparing an answer for the people. I know how the signatures were collected. Ordinary workers do not care who the managers will be, they just need jobs. But the managers have ruined the enterprise!
The shares of our company have not collapsed. Yes, our budget has lost up to $1.5 billion. But you (Russia. – Editor’ note) have lost twice as much. The price for potash fertilizers reached $900 per tonne with Belarus getting $4 billion in earnings every year. But then some people approached Rybolovlev (former owner of Uralkali. – Editors’ note), demanding his sha
The press conference lasted for five and a half hours. The President answered more than 30 questions about the Belarusian-Russian cooperation in various industries, participation of Belarus in integration processes. Journalists also asked questions about Belarus’ experience of state construction, social reforms, development of economy and the manufacturing industry. The head of state also answered questions about the prospects of cooperation of Belarus with various Russian regions which were represented by the reporters. The press conference helped reveal a number of problem issues in the bilateral cooperation. Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed the government to address these issues.
About the importance of unity on the post-Soviet space
The global financial crisis has affected all the countries, including Belarus. It has dampened the pace of economic development, made the export of products and services complicated, particularly starting from H2 2013. This is why it has never been more important for Belarus and Russia to be together in order to more successfully overcome emerging problems. We know that things are not easy in Russia, too, particularly in the production sector. You have seen that we are not as rich as Russia in gifts from the God. Therefore, our entire country is all about the real production sector of the economy, something that is made by hands and brains of our people. Therefore, things are difficult for us right now.
It is also important that the Belarusian-Russian integration contributes to the preservation of unity in the entire Eurasian space. It is the historical significance of Belarusian-Russian relations in modern conditions. Together with Russians we were the first to embark upon such a deep integration after the Soviet Union collapse, a level of integration that we have reached neither in the Customs Union nor in the Single Economic Space. Today we put consistent efforts, we work together for the sake of creating the Eurasian Economic Union. I would like to underline that these processes are not a meaningless phrase. Thanks to tight economic, political, and other ties between our states we already have an excellent opportunity to sell merchandise on the huge market and to protect interests of our countries against external threats together. If we feel brotherly shoulder, it is easier to go through new political and economic challenges and a lot of them are ahead…
Every year competition gets tougher across the globe. The strong ones dictate their terms to the entire world and often disregard not only international norms but basic logic and any kind of decency. Belarus is a peaceful country that has lived through a lot of hardships in its history. But nobody can reproach us for making problems primarily for our neighbors. We work alone to build our sovereign independent state. We are open to cooperation with everyone, who understands us and is ready to respect our national interests. I am convinced that Russia understands that a friendly and rapidly developing Belarus is a reliable ally in the modern unpredictable world…
Belarus highly appreciates the support and fruitful cooperation with its strategic partner in economic, defense, foreign trade, social, cultural affairs. During the current media tour you visited a factory, in which Russian investments had been poured. There are a total of over 2,500 enterprises with Russian capital in Belarus. The number rises all the time as well as the volume of our mutual trade. The fact that between 1996 and 2012 the trade turnover has increased nearly sevenfold – from $6.5 billion to $44 billion — vividly confirms it. The comparatively small Belarus is Russia’s second largest foreign trade partner among the CIS states and the sixth largest trade partner among all the countries of the world. If the present impressive trend continues in the near future we are quite capable of raising the trade turnover to $50 billion…
You have seen the real picture, the way Belarus lives every day. We are proud of our accomplishments but do not hide the shortcomings and there are many of those. Nobody can have an easy life in the modern world.
About the essence of the talk
I am ready to answer all kinds of questions of Russian journalists and it is not a publicity move on my part. It is easier for some people to do publicity moves in Belarus than for me to do the same in Russia. You see that we are not closed for Russian mass media. All, even hateful TV channels broadcast in Belarus. And decent channels that mark the anniversary are also available in Belarus with various programs like Batka 1, Batka 2, three, four… We do not close our media space for them. Every day our people see Russia the way you present it via mass media…
Thanks to the mass media you represent, a huge audience, from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, will get reliable information about our people, their lives and aspirations, about companies and organizations, about the benefits of integration projects for Russians and Belarusians…
Unfortunately, if it were not for you, Russians would get little information about Belarus, if any. Therefore, the only objective of my meetings with you and your media trips to Belarus is to give you an opportunity to show Belarus as it is, so that Russian people living across the Urals, in the Far East and other parts of Russia will know that Belarusians are strong people who value strong friendly ties, and have a great attitude to Russian people, that nothing has changed after that horrible war when we fought side by side and died together in trenches. We were and still are allies and I really hope that we will keep expanding our cooperation despite some obstacles. I wish that those haters that wanted to break our ties were never happy with their own successes. That is what my publicity moves are about.
About the relations with the President of Russia
It is more important how we discuss issues rather than what issues we discuss. These are always absolutely friendly talks. We always can sit down and have a candid discussion of any issue which sometimes is even inadmissible in relations, for instance, between Russia and the United States, other countries. It is a great achievement. When holding talks with any state, you always stick to some canons, protocols, and diplomatic things. Here, we feel as if we live in one state. We have good relations although I would not say they have always been cloudless. We have always had enough issues to address. There were disagreements, and you remember them. We did not hide their reasons. But the main thing was how we settled those disputes. We settled them as friends, without any huge damage to each other. Our relations and our dialogue are a set of issues we have between our states. And not only issues. There are good things as well, and we are happy to note them. It is always a pleasure to discuss such things…
Problems in relations between Belarus and Russia are mainly objective. We have been recently paying more attention to integration. The matter pertains to the Union State of Belarus and Russia and the establishment of the Single Economic Space and the Eurasian Economic Union in the future. We have a lot of issues here since all these processes affect the three countries: Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, starting from ordinary people up to large holding companies and associations.
We are planning many joint Belarusian-Russian events. For example, the recently-held military exercise West 2013. I do not know why it gave such a hard time to the whole NATO machine. They were deeply concerned about the exercise. But everything is clear as day here: there is an army, military people who have to hone their skills in order to perform their duties professionally. If it is necessary, they need to learn. So we learnt together. Belarus and Russia have a joint armed group in the region, with the Belarusian army comprising the bulk of it. In case of any conflict or, God forbid, a war, we have plans that the first strike will be addressed by the Belarusian army who will be reinforced by the troops of the Russian Federation on the same day to defend our joint space.
About the Union State
Today the Union State construction process is not only a guideline but some program, a template for creating new integration associations, including the Eurasian Economic Union…
The Union State project was the first integration project in the ex-USSR. We have done a lot in this regard. Let me quote you a simple example: when we speak about this or that matter within the framework of the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space, I just stay away from such discussions. We have gone through those discussions in the Union State.
A session of the Supreme State Council took place some time ago. For some reason the Russian government did not take part in the Union State Council of Ministers session which was supposed to take place in September, if I am not mistaken. They said that Kerimov was offended and others were, too. If that was the reason, then we will just have to wait. It means that we still have problems in the Union State.
About regional cooperation
They ask me to meet with them (Russian governors who come to Belarus. – Editors’ note). I understand this is not presidential level. To come to any country and meet with the first person is prestigious for a politician. I understand them. I am ready to work for their prestige because once they saved our relations with Russia…
There were times when we could break up, and drift far apart from each other. And back then, realizing that not everything was decided in the Kremlin, I suggested we should establish direct regional cooperation. Politicians in the Kremlin, in Moscow sobered up and decided not to hamper these ties. This resulted in all-round collaboration between our regions and regions of the Russian Federation…
In developing commodity distribution networks we do not target Moscow. On the contrary, we are very pleased to work with you, to create joint ventures in the regions, near consumers. We can create venture to recycle, assemble and sell. Why? Because then there will be more interest and responsibility on your part. We will have partners who will be involved in the business we are interested in. It is extremely advantageous. If you have any problems in this regard, we are ready to solve them.
About NATO exercise
We know that NATO will soon be holding the exercise in the Baltic region. We will make a statement to that effect, but only once. We will not go hysterical. I think that the Foreign Ministry, maybe the press service of the Defense Ministry or the minister himself will make a statement on this, but in a human way. “Guys, what’s up? You made a drama out of our exercise and now you are holding one of your own near the borders of Belarus. And what is the aim of the exercise?” This is what we are going to say. Otherwise, it will be a sign of weakness. Why should we be hysterical?
For example, let’s look why Poles reacted that way (upon the West 2013 exercise. – Editors’ note)? Once the Poles agreed to host the US missile defense system. Then, for some reasons, they suspended the process. But Poland wants to revive the project, and quickly. I do not know why they want to put themselves in harm’s way. After all, an anti-missile installation is a priority target for destruction in the event of a conflict. Both the Russians and Belarusians have enough means to disable it. And such capabilities are plenty.
For the Poles this is money. Poland is the stronghold of Americans today on the European continent. It is known to all. And they went hysterical: “Look, this aggressor Lukashenko, the dictator, and the second one in Moscow are about to conquer Poland”. And what is the purpose of this? To get money. Get the money and get the anti-missile defense system to Poland. Because if this defense system is built in Poland, it is natural Poland will get economic benefits and handouts. Because the Americans will have to feed a part of Poland or the whole Poland so that they are quiet and not anti-American and service the missile defense system. There were many reasons for that outcry. But we are not going to appease them and repeat what happened…
Most people know the situation only from mass media. But the Belarusian and Russian military know exactly what happened there. They scrambled all their forces, I just do not know why. They controlled airspace right up to outer space. We were not going to launch ballistic missiles. Why such control? We saw all of this. We have modern means of tracking it. We have seen their nervous reaction but took it calmly.
About humanitarian aid
When the trouble came to Amur Oblast (the recent flood. – Editors’ note) we, of course, came to help. Your governor outlined the possible cooperation areas. The humanitarian assistance, food and other things, which Belarus sent, is only a fraction of what we would like to do for your region…
A program concerning relief effort in the flood-hit areas is being elaborated in the region. We told the governor: you are welcome to include us in any section of the program if you deem it necessary. We will be there and provide considerable assistance… You do not need to thank us for the aid because we simply could not act differently.
About migration policy
Over the past five years more than 35,000 Russian people became permanent residents of Belarus. However, about 9,000 Belarusians were given residence permits in Russia. These are eloquent figures… The biggest problem of ours is not even money (although there are always money issues in these market economy conditions), but people. Belarus needs twice as many residents as it has now, i.e. 20 million people. We are able to feed them. They will work here and produce even more goods. If a Russian wants to live in Belarus we will welcome him.
About death penalty
We have not abolished the death penalty. I do not think it is good that we have the death penalty. But I am not the reason why it has not yet been abolished. There are still such cases in the country when you want to apply the death penalty. For example, the terrorist attack in Minsk metro. Our police found them within three days. What right to life they have if people died in the metro? A range of activities and the way of life in the state must create the security and safety of people… The most important thing is not to forgive. Police should work off the money the state allocates for them.
About the Big Family project
I have once instructed one person, a banker, who has a big family to work through the issue. And he sent a report to me. I have read it and said that I have a proposal. Of course, we will work on the issue. I do not know yet what we will choose. But there is proposal, for instance, to open a bank account to which $10,000 will be credited for the birth of the first child, $10,000 for the birth of the second child and $10,000 for the birth of the third child. These funds cannot be used before a baby turns three years old or comes of age. We have not decided yet. This is just like your maternity capital. But the system is more transparent for people. It will make $350 million per year if we provide $10,000. This is just one proposal…
Three children in the family should become the norm. Only then we will have the future and develop as a normal sovereign and independent state. The price is great, probably $1 billion or even $2 billion. But the goal is great too. Human resources are crucial to a state.
About memory
To preserve the memory of the past, it is not enough to remember the past and commemorate the Great Victory. Every day, every hour we should raise our children and grandchildren; we should tell them about the war. Every night I tell my son stories related to the military events of various periods, not only the Great Patriotic War, but also the Patriotic War of 1812. He is already aware of the war and the damage the Nazi brought. This should be a norm in our families, because young people of today are different, no matter how wonderful and great they are…
Belarus has been doing a lot to preserve the memory of the past. There is the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War and the new building of the museum is under construction now. This will be Europe’s biggest and most advanced museum about the Great Patriotic War.
About potassium
No responsible statesman would act the way he has done (S.Kerimov, a shareholder of Uralkali. – Editors’ note). He doesn’t care in the slightest. It is his way of doing things. He is a market-minded businessman. This enterprise (Uralkali. – Editors’ note) was built by Russians, Belarusians, Tadjiks, Uzbeks… The enterprise was created by everyone many years ago. He grabbed these shares instantaneously and he does what he wants… And Berezniki (the Russian town where Uralkali is located. – Editors’ note) does not profit from getting land slumps. The owners don’t care that the enterprise doesn’t work and that people over there are paid very low salaries!
I am fed up with private businessmen of that kind. They just want to grab their profits and hide them somewhere far away in Cyprus, in Switzerland or some other offshore area…
You can take Uralkali’s shares away from the scoundrels, who have acquired the shares in some incomprehensible ways, and give the shares to people in Berezniki. For $20 billion that the company cost you could have built a blooming paradise there…
Kerimov, Baumgertner and the like promised to bear social responsibility, take care of jobs and so on when they acquired the enterprise. In your place I would have locked up Kerimov and his people for one night. The next day they would have sold all the assets at the top price. If they had failed, I would have found a buyer for them. It would have earned $12-13 billion now. And I would have sent all the money to Berezniki…
You are wasting your time trying to find money in Baumgertner. What money does he have? One hundredth of what Kerimov people have, I’ll have you know. He was an employee but he is guilty…
I have received a letter from Berezniki residents. I intended to travel there and tell the truth to people, to tell them how things happened. But I think they would not understand me right. But we are preparing an answer for the people. I know how the signatures were collected. Ordinary workers do not care who the managers will be, they just need jobs. But the managers have ruined the enterprise!
The shares of our company have not collapsed. Yes, our budget has lost up to $1.5 billion. But you (Russia. – Editor’ note) have lost twice as much. The price for potash fertilizers reached $900 per tonne with Belarus getting $4 billion in earnings every year. But then some people approached Rybolovlev (former owner of Uralkali. – Editors’ note), demanding his sha