PRESS RELEASE FROM ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

 BELARUS MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

April 10, 2003

Not only has the Republic of Belarus managed to preserve its military and industrial complex, it has also made considerable progress. Another proof of this point was obtained by Alexander Lukashenko when he was visiting the republican unitary production enterprise “The 558th Aircraft Repair Plant” in the town of Baranovichi.

According to the Head of the State, the visit to this important facility of the country’s defence industry is not connected to the current situation in the world and the developments in Iraq. The visit to the plant to learn about its activities and development prospects was included in the working schedule of the President before. Yet, the military aggression by the USA against Baghdad contributed to some amendments as to the range of problems discussed during the visit.

The Belarusian leader assessed positively the results achieved at the enterprise and remarked that the presentation of these achievements offers an evidence to the effect that even today the plant has a new generation of equipment, which must ensure the defence capacity of Belarus. The military and industrial complex of our country possesses the unique developments, which have no analogues in the world, while the level of combat readiness and preparedness of the Belarusian Armed Forces is one of the best, in view of the Western experts.

During his visit to the 558th aircraft repair plant, the President, being also Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Belarus’ Armed Forces, approved the scheme of the comprehensive operational exercise of the Armed Forces.

According to the Belarusian leader, the comprehensive operational exercise of the Armed Forces “Clear Skies - 2003,” which is due to be held in October with the involvement of various military formations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry for Emergencies, the State Security Committee, the State Committee of Border Troops, must become a verification of the results of another stage of the reforming of the military organization of the state, and raise considerably the level of training of the Motherland’s defenders. As a result of the exercise, in which more that 80 units of the aviation materiel are scheduled to be used, the Belarusian Army will reach yet another layer of equipment status and training, believes the President.

NATO enlargement to the East, possible use of military force without the UN sanctions will make the military and political situation of our country more difficult in the longer term, believes the Belarusian leader. Therefore, the Armed Forces are the basis of the military security system, which ensures both strategic independency of Belarus and, within the framework of the treaty commitments with the Russian Federation, geostrategic stability in the region.

In President’s words, Belarus is not going to wage war on anyone. Besides, there are no forces in Europe now, which wish to carry war on our republic. Alexander Lukashenko is convinced that that all the uproar over Belarus and the next alleged target of an aggression by the USA has been launched in order to spread fear and exert influence on the Belarusian leadership. In this connection, the Head of the State declared that the Belarusians can calmly work and rest because our republic does have people who are capable of ensuring the country’s security.

The Belarusian leadership will be maintaining the combat readiness of the Armed Forces, and, before the end of this year, their equipment status will rise to a higher level. “One must always keep one’s powder dry,” concluded Alexander Lukashenko.