President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, declared that after the withdrawal of nuclear weapons, in the country there are still "hundreds of kilograms of, in fact, weapons-grade highly enriched uranium and less enriched". "They tell me every year: export this uranium. If you want — to America, we'll pay, if you want — to Russia", the President said.
«I say:» Firstly, why do you dictate to us, it’s our product, we contain it under IAEA control. We are not going to make dirty bombs or sell it to somebody. We use this uranium for research purposes». I’m now pushed to the wall, a knife to the throat — give it. I say that we already gave nuclear weapon, at the certain time, but what do we have on this?», Belarusian leader said.
According to Alexander Lukashenko, to resolve the issue with the existing in Belarus highly enriched uranium, it’s necessary to «sit at the bargaining table». However, the head of state underlined that it is not necessary to worry about that, because «Belarus is able to maintain this nuclear material, as it kept it all these years since become independent», BelTA informs.
Withdrawal of nuclear weapon from Belarus was the most severe mistake, Lukashenko
President named as «the most severe mistake», the withdrawal of nuclear weapons in the 1990’s, «under the conditions, it was done by our nationalists». According to Alexander Lukashenko, he «had to sign this treaty, because had nothing else to do».
«I was pressured by both Russia and the Americans — withdraw because you promised it. We shouldn’t, it is the great commodity, expensive product, which we eventually had to sell adequately», Belarusian leader supposes.
As the head of state noted, western countries promised to Belarus to guarantee its security for the withdrawal of nuclear weapons. «If we had these weapons, they would talk to us in a different way. Ok, we withdrew. So, guarantee our security. No», the President of Belarus stated.
No one can incline Belarus, Lukashenko
Alexander Lukashenko also commented on the fact that Belarus was not invited to the nuclear summit in Washington, which condition was, according to the head of state, the country’s consent «to give the uranium». «I was not going to go there», the President said.
«Even if Belarus had been invited, I would not have gone. Why, when it was unprofitable for Israel, that somebody will ask them about nuclear weapon, they’ve just waved a hand: «Good-bye, we do not need your summit». I responded in the similar manner», Belarusian leader said.
«No one can incline Belarus. We will talk only solidly, as partners, in spite of any American and Russian pressure from both sides. And here, there is the pressure coming from two sides, and we feel this», Alexander Lukashenko stressed.
