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Lukashenko explains his visit to KGB pre-trial detention center

MINSK, 16 November (BelTA) – In his interview with Belarusian and foreign political observers on 13 November, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko explained why he visited the KGB pre-trial detention center to meet with the representatives of the opposition, BelTA has learned.

“I was, first of all, interested in who these people are. Is it possible to have a conversation with them at all? Talk and listen. These are the people who could have come to power in Belarus,” the head of state said.

He said that at the beginning of the meeting the participants agreed to have a conversation on equal terms, without taking into account the status and positions: “We agreed to have a discussion on equal terms. I told each one of them: there is no president here. It is just Aleksandr Lukashenko here.”

The head of state added that the participants of the meeting also agreed not to disclose the details of the conversation. This is why Aleksandr Lukashenko did not give any details to the media either. “There is a lot that can be said about the meeting and I will tell you one day if they do not mind,” he said.

The president shared his personal impressions about the meeting.

In particular, the participants of the meeting proposed the changes, which, according to the head of state, were very similar to what Russian politicians Yegor Gaidar and Anatoly Chubais were once talking about. “I thought at that moment that thank God they didn't come to power in Belarus,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said commenting on the meeting with representatives of the opposition. “It was not because they were talking nonsense. The point is that the Belarusian people would oust them within a year. They are so far away from the people,” he said.

The president also commented on the footage aired on TV where the participants of the meeting were laughing. He said that his dialogue with Sergei Tikhanovsky caused such a reaction. Sergei Tikhanovsky asked: “Aleksandr Grigoriyevich, when will you let me out?” Aleksandr Lukashenko replied: “Why are you asking me?” “You are the President!” he said. “No, Sergei, your president  (his wife, Tikhanovskaya) is in Lithuania.” Everybody started laughing. He [Sergei Tikhanovsky] said then: “I have two presidents now.”

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