VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSK #0701/01 1910640
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100640Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY MINSK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4656
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1209
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS MINSK 000701 
 
SIPDIS 
CORRECTED COPY - CAPTION ADDED 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
KIEV ALSO FOR USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ECON PREL PHUM BO
SUBJECT: LUKASHENKO PRAISES ECONOMY, SEEKS BETTER RELATIONS WITH 
WEST,U.S. IN INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECH 
 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY: President Aleksandr Lukashenko gave his 
Independence Day address on July 1 at the Palace of the Republic. 
He vowed that Belarusians would never forget the sacrifices their 
families made during WWII and thanked survivors for rebuilding 
Belarus into a strong nation.  He then praised Belarus' economic 
success, not forgetting to remind the audience that most of 
Belarus' accomplishments happened under his rule.  He directly 
mentioned U.S. relations, claiming Belarus was ready for dialogue, 
but it was up to the USG to understand Belarus' position. As usual, 
the President criticized Western pressure and warned foreign 
investors that they were not to make profits at the expense of 
government stability or the standard of living.  He criticized 
privatization, citing the Beltransgaz row with Russia, and stressed 
that although Belarus' top priority was the Russian-Belarus Union, 
Belarus would maintain its sovereignty.  Lukashenko did not stray 
much from his written text, avoiding much of the quirky comments 
that typify his speeches.  END SUMMARY. 
 
All Our Success Is On My Watch 
------------------------------ 
 
¶2. (U) On July 1, Lukashenko told the lethargic audience of 
veterans, students, and government officials that Belarus' success 
did not appear out of thin air, but was the result of the people's 
years of hard work.  He also did not fail to mention that most of 
the country's success happened in the last ten years.  Not long ago 
the economy was practically ruined and the government was weak and 
unable to protect its own people.  Now the standard of living 
continues to rise, citizens do not feel left out or unwanted by 
their government, the youth have equal opportunities to receive an 
education and guaranteed work, and production levels have exceeded 
those during Soviet times.  The result is a democratic society that 
operates better than many Western democracies. 
 
We Need To Do More 
------------------ 
 
¶3. (U) Lukashenko lauded Belarus' development while under his rule, 
but stressed that Belarusians must work harder if they wanted to be 
rich, self-sufficient, and maintain their independence.  Since 
Belarus does not have natural resources, it must protect and foster 
human intellect and a good work ethic.  Therefore, the GOB supports 
the National Academy of Sciences and educational institutions for 
its citizens.  Lukashenko cited the National Library (reftel) as 
one of their successes and considered it a symbol of a new era for 
Belarus. In return, citizens must work to modernize Belarus' 
industries to ensure that Belarus achieves a high status among 
industrialized nations. 
 
Be Wary of Foreign Investment 
----------------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) Belarus is ready for foreign investment, Lukashenko stated, 
but warned that Belarusians could be left empty-handed should they 
rely too much on foreign capital.  Citizens constantly hear that if 
they attract investment from the West and East, "paradise" will 
follow.  However, businesses financed and built by outsiders would 
not be owned nor controlled by the GOB.  Investors want special 
treatment and better conditions than those offered by neighboring 
countries, such as fewer taxes or none at all.  Foreign businesses 
may provide jobs, but Belarus has proven that it can provide jobs 
for its citizens, which is why the unemployment remains only 1.5 
percent.  Furthermore, foreign businesses will not offer better 
pay, because capitalists are not willing to divide their profits. 
 
No to Privatization 
------------------- 
 
¶5. (U) The President criticized privatization, citing the row with 
Russian gas giant GAZPROM over the ownership of Belarus' pipeline 
company Beltransgaz.  Lukashenko claimed he was not against 
privatization, especially if Russians are involved, but not even 
the President had the right to sell Belarusian assets at below 
market price.  As Lukashenko put it, if bidders did not want to pay 
the full price for a Belarusian enterprise, then "Da Svidanya" 
(good-bye). 
 
Better EU Relations 
------------------- 
 
¶6. (U) Lukashenko noted that Belarus' top priority was to develop 
the Belarusian-Russian Union state, but it would be a union of 
sovereign nations.  Belarus was strengthening relations with 
Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, to which Lukashenko wryly added, "We 
cannot chose our neighbors." He pointed China out as Belarus' most 
important political partner in the 21st Century.  However, 
 
Lukashenko spoke more on increasing trade with the EU, which he 
said was Belarus' second largest trading partner.  Lukashenko 
claimed Belarus was ready to develop economic and political 
relations with EU, but only on equal terms. 
 
Better Relations With U.S. Depends On USG 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶7. (U) Lukashenko claimed Belarus was also ready for a dialogue 
with the U.S., but relations depended entirely on how quickly the 
U.S.' ruling elite realized that Belarusians are a wise, proud, and 
honorable people who should be respected.  The President opined 
that Americans need to refresh their memory about historic events, 
the living witnesses of which are growing smaller in number, and 
remember that Belarus and the U.S. were on the same side of the 
barricade fighting fascism together. 
 
The Triumphant Epilogue 
----------------------- 
 
¶8. (U) In conclusion, Lukashenko maintained that Belarus had made 
significant progress since its 1944 liberation from Nazi control. 
Now Belarus had relations with governments on all continents and 
has an active role in international organizations, including the 
UN.  Belarusians have built their future, are on the right path, 
and will continue to develop the country.  Success depends on the 
people, but if they are not united, then they will not be 
victorious. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶9. (SBU) A calm speech by Lukashenko standards, it was consistent 
with his Lukacentric vision of Belarus' recent past and future. 
Although long winded about Belarus' economic miracles, Lukashenko 
stayed on point and avoided rash statements that characterize his 
presentations.  The unusually brief remarks on Russia, whom 
Lukashenko usually spends much time lauding reflects the current 
tension in relations with Russia.  Mentioning the Baltic States, 
the EU, and the U.S. may be a gesture to the West to help offset 
Russia's pressure on Belarus, but his remarks also indicated that 
he remains unwilling to satisfy the West's demands for political 
and economic reform. 
 
KROL