The situation with the border agency of Belarus leaves much to be desired, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on 27 January at an extended session of the State Border Committee to discuss border protection, BelTA has learnt.While opening the session the President noted that there was no emergency. “However, the situation with the border agency is not what I, the President, would like it to be,” the Belarusian leader said. “It seems we understand what the tasks are and how they should be addressed, and we have people to deal with them. We had discussed it with the last two chiefs of the border agency. Yet there are many tasks that are not addressed now,” Alexander Lukashenko stated. The head of state explained why Colonel General Leonid Maltsev was appointed Chairman of the State Border Committee. “Some people say that the appointment was due to Lukashenko’s dissatisfaction with Maltsev. But it is not true,” the President said. Alexander Lukashenko reminded that some time ago he had a man-to-man talk with heads of law enforcement and a number of other officials. “They were convened to discuss another incidence on the border. “It was all too much. I told Leonid Maltsev back than: if another incident like that happens, either you or I will have to go there to deal with it. He said: it is not a thing the President should do, I will go. After another incident occurred, Leonid Maltsev kept his promise. That was the reason why Colonel General Leonid Maltsev took charge of the border agency. He went there in order to identify the challenges and flaws and to remove them. He will fulfill this task of the President whatever the cost,” the Belarusian leader said. Addressing the participants of the session, the President added: “You need to get used to it if you serve in the border troops, not any other kind of troops. It is not because the President served there, but because border troops are special troops, they operate in battle conditions. Our army should be prepared if something happens (God forbid, of course). Maybe, nothing will happen. The border troops fulfill combat tasks. That is what makes them different”. “Most importantly, your failures and flaws on the last meter of our land can lead to far-reaching consequences for the entire country,” Alexander Lukashenko said. The head of state asked how his instructions are fulfilled and how the border troops are doing, what problems persist and how they should be tackled. He noted that the major tasks for the border troops were defined and their areas of operation were specified a year ago. They made the basis for the draft law on border security that is being studied by the parliament now. “We need to admit that not all our plans are duly fulfilled. It is obvious even at a glance that the border agency has not always been able to provide an adequate response to new challenges and the changes in the operational environment on the border. We all know very well that security of the state starts from the state border. Everybody should realize that the border security is not a gift from above, it is not a matter of course, but the result of everyday painstaking work of many people. Of course, the border troops play a central role here. However, it is impossible to do without coordinated and coherent efforts of all the state-run agencies involved,” the President said. According to Alexander Lukashenko, all in all the State Border Committee is fulfilling its duties. “However, the current situation prompts us to ramp up efforts to respond to modern-day challenges and threats,” the Belarusian leader said. Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to a number of factors that influence the work of the border troops. “We talk a lot about the world championship (ice hockey world championship – BelTA’s note), and other events. We are always on the frontline and we protect not only our interests, but also those of Russia and Kazakhstan, because integration has brought about a common economic space that can be interpreted as a common economic state. Considering that the West and the Nato are at our gates, your work is of paramount importance,” the head of state said.
Written by belta.by
