Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he would welcome ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who, he said, is in southern Kyrgyzstan now.
"If he decides to come to Belarus, whenever he likes – today, tomorrow or the day after tomorrow – we will be ready to receive him. Again, this is my personal decision, to which I have the right as president. One may criticize me. But betraying people is the most shameful thing that can exist in the world," Lukashenko told the media on Sunday in answer to a question from Interfax.
"Not only I know where Bakiyev is. But I’m surprised, why those who know, keep silent. Bakiyev is in southern Kyrgyzstan with his wife, five-year-old son, and daughter," Lukashenko said.
Lukashenko also said he had heard Russian media reporting on Sunday that "Bakiyev’s whereabouts are not known." "These people know everything – where Bakiyev is and what he is doing," he said.
"Moreover, details about how the situation was developing, is well known, too. It’s a game, played by the so-called interim government, and, I understand, by Russia and Kazakhstan. I suspect America has been entangled, too," Lukashenko said.
"I will have a chance to discuss all of these questions with the Kyrgyz president and with others, I guess. Again, if the Kyrgyz president and his family needs support and assistance in this time of trials, all assistance will be provided to him in Belarus," he said.
