Belarus President Lukashenko vows to deliver a 'punch' to those organizing protests

[News_Editor]

Belarus President Lukashenko vows to deliver a 'punch' to those organizing protests

2011-06-15 03:19:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

MINSK, BELARUS (BNO NEWS) -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday said that no strikes or unauthorized protests will be allowed over the recently-imposed export ban on fuel and other goods, the BelTA news agency reported.

"The so-called 'willful people' in Minsk use social networks and the Internet to encourage strikes," said Lukashenko. "I'll be keeping an eye on them and then will give them such a punch that they won't have time to flee across the border."

The Belarusian leader was referring to Sunday and Monday's protests on the Belarusian-Polish border which were suppressed by security forces. Some demonstrators were arrested and fined.

"They (the protesters) are displeased with us for not allowing them to export fuel, cigarettes, and other products for nothing," added the Belarusian president. "Am I supposed to watch it calmly?"

The president's comments were made during a visit to the agricultural company Ozeritsky-Agro in Smolevichi District. Lukashenko urged implementing a new strategy of crop rotation in order to boost agriculture and thus, improving the country's ailing economy.

On Monday, Belarus and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) began discussions for agreeing in a new program in order to achieve financial stability in the country. Belarus is seeking an IMF loan that could be granted depending on the balance of payments and other factors.

Belarus' financial crisis worsened last May when the National Bank of Belarus (NBRB) set the official exchange rate of the Belarusian Ruble against the U.S. dollar at Br 4,930 per $1, a devaluation of over 50 percent.

President Lukashenko has been accused of repressing opposition and activists in the past. On May 27, the United States announced it will pursue new sanctions against those responsible for the violent crackdown of protesters.

More than 600 citizens of Belarus were detained after the December 19 demonstration in central Minsk following the reelection of President Lukashenko, who has ruled the country for more than 15 years. He won a fourth term in office with almost 80 percent of the vote, but the results have been disputed.

Most of the detainees have been charged with administrative offenses, but dozens of criminal cases have been initiated over the protests, including several against former presidential candidates.

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