Aleksandr Lukashenko makes personnel decisions

On 16 November President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko made a number of personnel decisions. The head of state appointed:

The President also approved the appointment of:

The head of state also signed the decree on suspending the military service of Major-General Alexander Mezhuyev due to his election as a member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus for the duration of his term and on his dismissal from the office of the Chief of the Central Military Inspection of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Major-General Ivan Chaus has been appointed Chief of the Central Military Inspection of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Major-General Andrei Ravkov has been appointed Commander of the Northwestern Operative Command of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Major-General Alexander Volfovich has been appointed Chief of Staff, First Deputy Commander of the Northwestern Operative Command of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Colonel Vadim Denisenko has been appointed Deputy Commander of the Western Operative Command of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

While appointing Belarus’ ambassadors to France and Hungary, Aleksandr Lukashenko said that the two know a lot about the diplomatic service.

“Hungary used to be a socialist country. We used to be good friends with them. We used to have very close relations. After they became fed up with “democracy” and market economy (everything that is going on in Europe right now), they got sober,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “The same happens in France. Surprisingly enough, today mass media call France “a time bomb in the center of Europe”. They say that France will follow “the problem countries”, the President said. “All this brought some politicians and the western society down to earth. Therefore, not only in Hungary, but also in France we will expand our contacts because people living in these countries will be able to understand Belarus better through processes going on there,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“Hungary is Hungary. We cannot lose this country. We should build relations with it, just like with Poland, Bulgaria, the Baltic states. These are the countries we used to be good friends with. Therefore, no matter if we want it or not, we should build relations with them. And we do want it,” the head of state said.

Appointing new ambassador to France, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “France is also interesting for us from the point of view of the victory of the Socialist Party. Francois Hollande, the head of the Socialist Party, is a more pragmatic and down-to-earth person I hope. At least the early months of his presidency say so, with all the disadvantages that exist there,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“Therefore, your task is to study the activities of the Socialist Party. Perhaps we might set up such a party here. Not that formal party of socialism that we once had but the Party of Socialism that gives man the opportunity for self-realization, the party hat does not oppose private property. I think such a party could do much good, based on negative and positive experiences of the past years in the Soviet Union. As for other areas of cooperation, in terms of economy, you are well familiar with them. We are ready to make as much progress as they are willing, of course,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said addressing Pavel Latushko.

Addressing the newly appointed heads of companies, Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that they will start their new jobs at a complicated time. The head of state explained that Europe is in a complicated situation and the region accounts for a larger part of Belarus exports. “This is why we have to seek other points to apply our efforts. You will be the ones primarily responsible for this work,” said the President.

Enterprises of the Belarusian state food industry concern Belgospishcheprom are not likely to be subject to active privatization, Aleksandr Lukashenko said. He said that pinpoint privatization was possible “only if we are extremely interested in it. Because, any way you put it, we have to clothe, shoe, and feed people. It is better if these industries that were once created by the state are under the state control. If a private businessman arrives, for instance, the way it was done regarding the footwear enterprise Marko or other ones, if he or she works well, we will not argue with that. There are certain conditions. They may come, create their own enterprises and work. But dividing an existing enterprise and giving it away humiliates our people somewhat. So you have to keep it in mind. You have to approach it in a businesslike manner, with your own interests in mind instead of seeking investments, dividing an enterprise and not knowing who you will work with, and the most important thing is that we will not be the ones to reap profits”.

“It is particularly true for the cement industry. After we reanimated it, upgraded it, we suddenly saw lots of parties willing to make investments. We desire to channel these investments into the manufacturing of some ready-made products relating to the cement industry. There are abandoned enterprises near these cement mills. They may be restored, may be used to make ready-made construction materials. The products may be sold with a large added value,” said the President. He underlined that the policy will be used with regard to other companies, too.

The head of state drew attention of the Director General of Minsk Gear Works to the fact that the enterprise has to be updated continuously in order to keep up with the competition.