Lukashenka in November 2008: “There will be no ruble’s collapse”

On January 2 Belarusians were shocked: despite all the statements of the authorities, the national currency caved in by 20.5%. Just recently Lukashenka swore that there would never be a ruble’s collapse. We would like to offer you Belarusian dictator’s statement on the topic.

“The regime won’t allow collapse and chaos, won’t your trust. We won’t ever betray our principle, concern for people's welfare”.

New Year Address, December 31, 2008

“We must make this global financial crisis to pass by, not we have created it. There must be no crisis in our country. We must have no crisis. We haven’t deserved that”.

December 29, when appointing Mahilyou regional executive committee chairman:

“Belarus hasn’t been swept over by this crisis”.

December 23, answering questions of journalists in the town of Byaroza, Brest region:

“The most important thing today is to maintain stability. Stability of ruble, which means, stability of the whole financial system. We have reached 2,200. That’s all. We have promised the people that. And I have said to the chairman of the National bank: please keep in mind, God forbid to break my word. The new year will come – add 5 %. Take 5% of 2,200”.

December 18, in an interview to state-run mass-media’s editors-in-chief:

“The situation in the country is not critical, and we should maintain that. The government will make all necessary efforts and have done a lot already. Now everything depends on people, how they will behave. If people understand the authorities, the president, if they would believe, everything would be alright”.

December 18, in an interview to state-run mass-media’s editors-in-chief:

“We must go through years 2009-2010, I feel these two years are to be not easy ones, but we shouldn’t panic. The situation in the country is manageable. We won’t abandon our people”.

December 16, during a working trip to Minsk region, in a conversation with Berezina dwellers.

“Today we are content, pleased with the fact that we are not involved in this financial crisis, which has ruined many states. I want to repeat once again: crisis is not for us”.

December 4, during the meeting with heads of the Council of Ministers and the National Bank Syarhei Sidorski and Pyotr Prakapovich:

“We didn’t have loans abroad. That is why we have been left outside this crisis”.

November 24, in an interview to France Press.

“As for the Belarusian ruble, the situation can be held in check absolutely. Today it is important to support the rate exchange of the Belarusian ruble. There will be no ruble’s collapse; everything is within the preset parameters, including the annual devaluation. The Belarusian model of economic development has managed to neutralize influence of the global crisis”.

November 25, at consultations with activists of Vitebsk region.