Lukashenka about searches in mass media: "They are journalists with Western orientation, who work for Russia"

• 14.04.2010, 17:22

On April 14 the Belarusian dictator again recalled searches held in news offices of charter97.org website, "Narodnaya Volya" and "Novaya Gazeta" newspapers.

During a working visit to Homel region on Wednesday Alyaksandr Lukashenka stated: "I won't tell names of these journalists. All of them are journalists with Western orientation, all of them live and work for the West's grants, but they work for Russia too, among other things. Today they talk and recommend the Russian leadership: demand from Lukashenka to withdraw from the Eastern Partnership. As soon as he gives such promises, only then start talks with him. That's the being of these people, they recommend Russia how to destroy the Western vector of our foreign policy," the Belarusian leader said.

We remind that on April 2 the Belarusian ruler stated: “I have begun to give more and more attention to the situation in the media, both our and Russian. There has recently been a scandal about some opposition newspapers and journalists. We’ll provide you with information after the examination, because these opposition clans have their centers in Russia” .

On March 16 in Minsk in the framework of the investigation of the defamation charges in the so-called "hunters' case" massive searches were held in the flats of the journalist of charter97.org website Natallya Radzina, "Novaya Gazeta" journalist Iryna Khalip, editor-in-chief and deputy editor of "Narodnaya Volya" Svyatlana Kalinkina and Maryna Koktysh. All computers were seized from the journalists. Natallya Radzina was hit on the face by a policeman during the search. Human rights activists are convinced that persecution of Natallya Radzina, Iryna Khalip, Maryna Koktysh and Svyatlana kalinkina in the framework of the "hunters' case" is just a pretext for the Belarusian authorities to destry the rest of the freedom of expression in Belarus. Lukashenka confirms that by his statements.

During the visit to Homel region Alyaksandr Lukashenka also stated that "te time has come to discuss prospects of development of Belarusian-Russian relations with the leadersgip of Russia".

"I think the time has come to discuss the prospects of our relations vert seriously," he said answering the question of "Interfax" agency.

Lukashenka expressed certitude that the Russian president has understanding that the problems in the bilateral relations should be discussed. "Many questions have been accumulated, sometimes they are superficial, and we are able to solve them," the Belarusian leader noted. Lukashenka supposes that the meeting with the Russian president Dmitry Medvedev can take place "before my visit to Moscow, before the informal summit of the CIS on May 8. Maybe in the end of May, in the early July, like we have met in Sochi already".

As said by the ruler, among the issues planned for discussion "a desire of Russian companies to participate in privatization of our entreprises" can be among the questions for discussion. "We would certainly discuss strategic issues of the Customs Union development," he noted. "I want to undrstand clearly: what do Russia and Kazakhstan want from the Customs Union. And what we shall have from this Customs Union," Lukashenka noted. "If we would have only exceptions, duties for gas, oil, our insterest would drop twice," Lukashenka said.

He noted: "What is that: not only duties for oil, but for oil products have been imposed. Why oil duty has been imposed for us, and not for Kazakhstan? Why do they have such an attitude towards Belarusians?" Lukashenka asked. "I think that the president of the Russian Federation understands that it is a glaring example," he added.

Besides, he noted that the Belarusian side offers to discuss the question of "admission of our entreprises to the Russian market". "It is clear already that blockig our goods at the Russian market have resulted in a very negative result. I think that Russia itself understands that. We have entered other markets, but Russia has awakened now already," Lukashenka said.

As said by him, "there is no point for us to be at quarrel with Russia, we have never been haggling with anybody. But when we are started to be kicked, we certainly are to seek fortune in other parts of the planet"