President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, stated on April 18, that he still considers Kurmanbek Bakiyev to be "Kyrgyzstan's legitimate president". "For me, it was he who today is the president of the country", Belarusian leader stressed and added that he is "ready to receive President Kurmanbek Bakiyev in Belarus".
«You don’t have to trust the signatures under the statement of resignation, which are now shown in mass media. Even if he announced his resignation, you must understand the conditions in which it occurred. When he has children, family with him, when he was caught in the mountains during the blockade, and there is a threat of civil war. Here is this situation, the solitude where this man found himself. What a decision could he make in such circumstances?», the head of Belarusian state noted.
At the same time, Alexander Lukashenko expressed his surprise at media reports that the whereabouts of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is unknown. «At present, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, along with his family — his wife, five-year old son and nine-year old daughter — is in the south of Kazakhstan», President of Belarus said.
«I am surprised that those, who know perfectly about where Kurmanbek Bakiev is, do not talk about it. It’s funny, strange and even blasphemous. Today, I heard once again from Russian mass media -moreover, from main channels, not just thrown by yellow press or internet — that Bakiyev’s location is supposedly unknown. These gentlemen know everything: where he is, what he’s doing and how everything happened», Belarusian leader’s press office quotes the words of the President.
Lukashenko suspects that «the United States are also implicated»
According to the head of state, Russia, Kazakhstan and the USA are involved in the situation with the change of authorities in Kyrgyzstan. «The games is being held by so-called provisional government of Kyrgyzstan and — as I understand it — Russia and Kazakhstan. And I suspect that the U.S. and also implicated», Alexander Lukashenko said.
«I will have another opportunity to discuss all these issues with the President of Kyrgyzstan and verify the correctness or incorrectness of these arguments … If Kurmanbek Bakiyev hears me and wishes to fly to us even today or tomorrow, we will not hide him in Belarus, he will be here as the most dear guest for today, as my colleague, as the president of Kyrgyzstan», the President of Belarus underlined.
In case of Bakiyev’s arrival in Belarus «the media will set up a howl», Lukashenko
«We are ready to receive him here. Of course, I know that the mass media will set up a howl now. This is my personal decision as the head of state. I have the right to make this decision. Let me be condemned or not condemned, but to betray people is the most shameful, what can be in this world», Belarusian leader emphasized.
«If Kurmanbek Bakiyev, arriving in Minsk, wants to hold a press conference, he will hold it freely, speak freely. And then we’ll see which country is the most free: Belarus or any other states. I think he has a lot to tell», the head of state suggested.
Only the people has a right to demand from Bakiyev, Lukashenko
According to the President of Belarus, Kyrgyz opposition has no right to claim Kurmanbek Bakiyev. «Only the people have a right to demand from the president. No gangs, no groups, no opposition — only the people», Alexander Lukashenko said.
In current situation, according to Belarusian leader, the only way for Kyrgyzstan is elections. «The real way out of this situation -when such democrats came to power — is immediately announce early presidential and, for that matter, parliamentary elections. And give the possibility to participate in these elections for everyone, including Kurmanbek Bakiyev», Belarusian head of state stressed.
