Lukashenko: Give $ 30 billion, or good-bye!

(update) The dictator said that "Belaruskali" is priced at $ 30-32 billion

Belarus has no intent to sell the controlling interest in OAO Belaruskali, said Alexander Lukashenko as he visited the Berezovsky mine of the Belarusian fertilizer manufacturer OAO Belaruskali on 17 July.

“I was not going to and I am not going to sell Belaruskali to anyone for peanuts. If someone wants to buy it, they have to pay the price we’ve set. Nobody is going to reduce the price,” stressed the head of state. Alexander Lukashenko said only some shares may be sold but not the controlling interest.

He remarked a lot had been said lately about Belaruskali’s privatization. “I believed and still believe that it is the legacy of the Belarusian people. There is a lot of talks now and even pressure, pressure from various sides, even from the countries we depend on a lot. This is why it is difficult to resist the pressure,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarusian head of state reminded he had requested an assessment of the company and the price had turned out to be $30-32 billion. “It will not be lower. If you want to, we will be able to sell shares to you but not the controlling interest. We don’t want to lose control. We can sell 10%, 20%, 25% for a price. 25% will cost $8.5-9 billion. If someone wants it, come and pay for it. No buyers like that have been found. Everyone wants to get the entire company for $8 billion. I told them to see themselves out, the price is not acceptable. It is my principled position”.

“I see no sense in selling Belaruskali,” added he.

Speaking about the unwillingness to sell the controlling interest in Belaruskali, Alexander Lukashenko specified: “I am not afraid of losing control or power as some claim. The thing is it wasn’t me who built the company, an entire generation contributed its labor. Nobody will sell it for peanuts. I say it resolutely in public”.

Lukashenko may to cheat Uralkali

Relations with Uralkali, the Russian shareholder in Belarusian Potash Company, may be revised, said Lukashenko.

“All the issues regarding Belarusian Potash Company should be handled by 1 September one way or another. We don’t need any more fuss regarding it even if we have to revise our relations with the Russians [Uralkali]. Let’s make strategic decisions. We need complete clarity,” said he.

“If they want to work independently, let them. BPC must be preserved in any case. Because in addition to selling potash fertilizers a potash company also has to deal with compound fertilizers”.

Alexander Lukashenko underlined Belarusian Potash Company is a brand that hardly anyone will scrap today. “Either they [Uralkali] work together or go separate ways. But they won’t do that. They don’t need the breakup. It means an honest way should be followed,” said he.

“This is why all the issues must be addressed by 1 September. I am going to discuss it with the prime minister of Russia tomorrow,” said Alexander Lukashenko.