Lukashenko Reminded of His Promise to File in Resignation :: Charter'97 :: News

Despite thorough preparations of all numerous meetings, held during the election marathon by the incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko, a funny episode took place in Borisov town of Minsk region. One of the workers who chanced to stand by the president dared ask him a question: “Why don’t you resign? Remember, back in 1994 you promised that if the life doesn’t get any better within next two years you will leave the post?”

The Belarusian leader swore that he had never spoken anything of the kind. And he added that if anyone proves that these words belong to him, he’ll quite the race right away. The journalists were quick enough to find evidence. They opened the national “Zvyazda” newspaper of July 6, 1994, where candidate Alexander Lukashenko was answering readers’ questions. Here’s the one, asked by Valentina Nehai:

“- If you frustrate the hopes of voters, who entrust great responsibility into your hands, will you find enough will to resign within one year?

- One year isn’t enough. But after two years, if I blow it, yes, I will go away. Why? Because I am a person, who’s involved in manufacture and never give void promises. Two years are necessary to stabilize at least something. In case there are no changes during two years – I’ll gather my stuff and be gone.”