Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko stated on Friday that he is sure that no "flower revolutions" would occur in his country, and he can step down only through elections, the Interfax news agency reported.

"Currently, we need not be worried by the recent 'colored' revolutions," and "Lukashenko can be ousted only through elections, " he told journalists at a military garrison located in Baranovichi in the Brest region, recalling the next presidential election is scheduled for 2006.

The president said he is confident in the capability of the government to keep the stable situation in Belarus not by force. " Our people are smart, they understand everything, we will make it so that people would be afraid of a change in the authorities," Lukashenko said.

As for the recent "revolution of the tulips" in Kyrgyzstan, the president said: "It wasn't a revolution, it was outright banditry. "

He noted the "revolution of the tulips" had occurred because of the feebleness of state power and the collapse of the economy that pressed down the living standards.

Concerned about the increase of the US influence on world events, Lukashenko stated that Belarus will not change the priorities of its foreign policy, according to the report.

"Our foreign policy is wherever our interests are. We are not being blocked off from the West, but we cannot stand being insulted," Lukashenko stressed, talking about the recent UN report on the human rights situation in Belarus read in Geneva.

"Those who are insanely happy today over the so-called democratization processes that are happening around Russia will suffer its consequences. Americans and those who accelerate these processes will suffer their consequences," Lukashenko said.

Speaking about the relations with NATO, the president said Belarus could develop cooperation with NATO on the condition that the interests of both parties are observed.

He indicated that Belarus' policy is transparent and clear, and "We expect the same from our partners in NATO."

Lukashenko also expressed dissatisfaction over NATO's beefing up its forces near borders of his country, querying "What's the point in all these reconnaissance outposts along our territory, in AWACS flights along our borders, and in the plans to set up a naval base in one of the Baltic states?"

Source: Xinhua