Łukašenka voices opposition to KGB expansion

August 7, Pozirk. Belarus’ top security officials met in Minsk today to discuss proposals for reforming the Committee for State Security (KGB), according to a statement from the Belarusian leader’s press office.
The statement did not detail the proposals, which were initially put forward “some time ago” by KGB chief Ivan Tertel and later revised by Alaksandar Valfovič, the state secretary of the Security Council.
Alaksandar Łukašenka emphasized that while he had no intention of reducing funding for the KGB or lowering its agents’ salaries, he firmly opposed any increase in its staffing levels.
“You see what is going on,” the press office quoted him as saying. “We are witnessing a shift of labor from civilian professions to military roles. That’s why we need workers in the production sector first and foremost. We have no right to pull people away from there. This applies to everyone, including the Committee for State Security, in terms of staffing.”
In addition to Łukašenka, the meeting was attended by Tertel, Valfovič, Prosecutor General Andrej Švied, former KGB deputy chief Ihar Sierhiejenka, and former KGB chief Valeryj Vakulčyk.
Łukašenka has ruled Belarus since 1994. The KGB remains the primary agency enabling him to maintain power and suppress dissent.
Cichanoŭskaja admits to accepting €15,000 from official, says it was under duress
- Politics, SportBelarusian, Russian figure skaters barred from World ChampionshipsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCrackdown on Belarusian publishers reported in MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Society, Sport
- Society
- Society
- PoliticsPolitically motivated convictions reported in Minsk, HrodnaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus says it downs drones as Kyiv accuses Minsk of aiding Russian attacksThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMinsk to negotiate visa free travel to Saudi Arabia for officialsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsBelarus holds 496 Lithuanian trucks, 575 semi-trailers - LINAVAThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Security, SocietyThree men jailed in Lithuania for smuggling cigarettes from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsKGB adds eight to list of terroristsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyVacancies for foreigners rise by nearly 17 percent in Belarus over a monthThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Security, SocietyLithuania turns nine African migrants back to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityConscription-age men given 24 hours to report for military trainingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsFaction Biełarusy quits Coordination CouncilThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition leader urges OSCE PA to establish working group on BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsEU Delegation welcomes Statkievič’s release, urges Minsk to free all jailed dissidentsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics



