“Most likely, I will have to visit the United Nations,” said Alyaksandr Lukashenka with the emphasis on the word “have”. Allegedly, he would be glad to stay in Belarus and not go to the New York, but other presidents are waiting.
Alone among 150
The visit and speech of Alyaksandr Lukashenka at the UN summit will probably dominate for a few days on state TV and newspapers. After all, it will be a very rare opportunity to present the Belarusian leader as a world-class politician.
The 70th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly will be attended by more than 150 heads of states. Will Alyaksandr Lukashenka “get lost” among other presidents?
“The conflict between Russia and Ukraine certainly gave him additional political significance, and it seems that he will try to use his speech to emphasize his peacekeeping role. He will probably devote his speech to the importance of keeping the peace in Eastern Europe and will connect it with the example of Belarus, as a country that kept the peace,” said the editor of the internet-based analytical magazine Idea, Ryhor Astapenya.
For the world’s media and leaders of other countries the most important speeches are those of “global players” – the US, China, Russia, Britain, Germany, France, etc. Due to conflicts, threat of the Islamic state and the problem of refugees, those present will probably carefully listen to the envoys from the Middle East. Iran’s representative will get attention due to “nuclear issue”, and the President of Ukraine – due to undeclared war with Russia.
On the background of global challenges and threats, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka is only the head of East-European country with little influence in regional politics. But the state television screens will probably feature the image of Lukashenka peace fighter and principled, staunch critic of the West. And that will not be for the first time.
“You are lynching Milosevic”
Last time Alyaksandr Lukashenka spoke at the United Nations was in 2005. He lashed out at Western countries, in fact, he declared the US the source of all ills, he accused the UN of inaction and defended the dictators.
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“The heads of sovereign states – Yugoslavia and Iraq – were thrown into prison based on unconfirmed, absurd and far-fetched accusations,” thundered from the podium Alyaksandr Lukashenka. A year later he himself was nicknamed the last dictator in Europe.
“The Commission on Human Rights churns out resolutions on Belarus, Cuba and other countries, trying to impose them to the UN General Assembly. But doesn’t the United Nations see behind the imaginary “problems” the real troubles and disasters?” said Lukashenka from the rostrum.
“Imaginary problems” of which spoke the head of Belarus are the abduction ofViktar Hanchar, Yury Zakharanka, Anatol Krasouski and Dzmitry Zavadski. Commission on Human Rights also condemned the pressure on the media, human rights organizations, closure of EHU and political arrests.
Is that an election address… from the UN rostrum?
Alyaksandr Lukashenka is to speak at the summit on 28 September, he will be 15th in a row. After him will be Vladimir Putin, speaking 17th, and after one more leader will speak Petro Poroshenko.
The final document of the Summit will be called “Changing the world: an agenda for sustainable development until 2030”. In fact, it is a long-term plan of action to eliminate poverty and hunger. But often speakers used the platform of the UN to solve local political issues and for “inflating” their own rankings.
“Naturally, Lukashenka’s speech will not have any importance, but for any head of state it is a matter of prestige. He wants to get a good podium, especially during the election campaign. While other candidates present their half-hour speeches, he speaks at the UN. In this way he shows that this is in fact his speech to the Belarusians and the UN rostrum is his level,” emphasizes Ryhor Astapenya.
It is already known that Alyaksandr Lukashenka plans to focus on matters of war.“I think the Russian President and I- we will not get away from the subject, we have something to say, said the Belarusian leader. There is a global redrawing of spheres of influence, in which we had been drawn. However, the selfish ambitions are not worth to be fed our interests and the lives of our people to them. “It is likely that Lukashenka will also remind everyone about the “futility of any sanctions.”
Zmitser Yahorau
