Events
Tertel: Lithuania’s hysteria over weather balloons linked to internal political struggles
MINSK, 24 December (BelTA) – Attempts by Vilnius to stir up tensions around balloons allegedly carrying smuggled cigarettes from Belarus are linked to several factors, including domestic political struggles within Lithuania, Chairman of the State Security Committee of Belarus (KGB) Ivan Tertel told the media following his report to Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, BelTA has learned.
When asked about the situation with weather balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes, Ivan Tertel noted that the issue was initially a matter for law enforcement only. Nevertheless, Vilnius elevated it to the political level, and Belarusian security services became involved to monitor the situation and make decisions.
“Our foreign intelligence indicates that several factors influenced the situation and its public attention,” the KGB chief said.
One reason, he explained, is internal political struggle in Lithuania. “The situation [with the balloons] coincides with the plans of a very small group of Lithuania’s political establishment to carry out what we call ‘Operation Successor’. According to our information, a decision has been made to hold an early presidential election taking into account the expected economic deterioration in Lithuania,” he emphasized. “There is a certain individual, the most aggressive in this regard, who, according to our data, is nevertheless seeking the role of head of state. By taking a hardline stance and counting on success, there was an attempt to demonstrate influence over this situation and to create more favorable conditions for competitive struggle in a politically uncertain environment, including steering toward the need for an early election at a convenient time.”
Regarding the internal political struggle, Ivan Tertel noted that a certain group of people is trying to create problems for the current head of government in order to undermine his possible chances of becoming head of state in the event of an early election. “Their target is Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė,” he added.
The KGB chief stressed that some representatives of Lithuania’s government and parliament take a constructive position regarding the situation with the weather balloons. “We know the sentiments both in the government and in parliament. There are people who think constructively, and their voices are being heard more and more. They would like normal, good-neighborly relations,” he stated.
Another reason is Lithuania’s desire to obtain additional funding from EU structures, following Poland’s example. “As we know, Poland received very large sums of money under the pretext of protecting Europe's external borders. Vilnius simply has the desire and some envy to do the same,” Ivan Tertel explained. That is why, he added, the situation with migrants at the border and the alleged entry of balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes is being exaggerated.
At the same time, Ivan Tertel emphasized that the State Security Committee maintains contacts with almost all intelligence services worldwide, which makes it possible to address various situations calmly. “I am acquainted with the heads of practically all Western intelligence services. They value the position of our president, send him greetings, and say they appreciate his work,” the KGB chief said. “We have channels through the intelligence services [with Lithuania]. On the instructions of the head of state, we made a proposal: ‘Let us meet in complete confidentiality, discuss all issues, so as not to escalate the situation, because this is abnormal.’ We greatly respect the Lithuanian people; we have lived side by side for centuries, our people are intertwined, and so on. Unfortunately, I must state that our Lithuanian colleagues avoided discussing this matter. Later we saw that it was deliberately shifted into the information space and inflated.”
“The head of state has made it clear: we are ready to discuss all issues. Our Foreign Affairs Ministry has long been waiting for good news from the Lithuanian side. I am confident that, in the end, we will resolve all problems and work together for the benefit of our peoples, as has always been the case: helping one another in various situations. This is normal practice and normal relations between nations,” the head of the State Security Committee concluded.
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