Lukashenko takes oath of office

2001-09-20 16:15:00

Minsk, 20 September. Aleksandr Lukashenko on September 20 took the oath of office as the reelected president of Belarus. While swearing on the Belarusian Constitution during the inauguration ceremony, which was held at the Palace of the Republic in Minsk, Mr. Lukashenko vowed that he would serve the people faithfully, respect and protect the rights and liberties of citizens, observe and defend the Constitution, and perform scrupulously and conscientiously the functions appertaining to the office. "I can tell you firmly you will not regret your choice," the Belarusian ruler said in his brief inaugural address. "All my effort will be aimed at implementing successfully the program [of the country's social and economic development for 2001-2005] in the interests of our people. Belarus need a powerful breakthrough ahead to gain a high level of people's living conditions, modern production technologies and effective management methods," Mr. Lukashenko said. "A very important and difficult period is in front of us. I have never promised easy achievements. The country's well-being, its prosperity does not come about of itself." Mr. Lukashenko reiterated major objectives of the five-year social and economic development program: to increase Belarus' GDP by more than 30 percent, raise the average pay by 150 percent, bring about a considerable rise in investments, and develop small and medium-sized businesses. The Belarusian ruler promised to ensure "further democratization of the political system," expand "liberalization of all sides of our life," and pursue a "multi-vectorial" foreign policy in which priority would be given to "cooperation with fraternal Russia" and the development of firm and durable relations with the CIS countries, "great China," India, Turkey and other countries. Mr. Lukashenko also expressed readiness for cooperation based on principles of equality with the European Union countries and the United States. He rejected rumors that the government would soon begin to carry out a program of radical reforms. "I vow and promise that I have never been a political swindler and I will never allow either the cabinet that will be formed in general as soon as tomorrow or those who will be close to me to torment the people by shock-therapy unpopular or popular measures. Everything will be fair as has been the case these seven years," Mr. Lukashenko said. "Now the main thing is not to foment conflicts, not to split society by hostile confrontation. It is time to gather stones together, not to cast them away, to build the temple - our common Fatherland," the Belarusian ruler said. Mr. Lukashenko thanked all those who had congratulated him on his reelection. He extended special thanks to Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he described as his friend and colleague. According to Mr. Lukashenko, he did not have a "feeling of great triumph in view of what is going on today" and he only felt an "enormous burden of responsibility."