In 2005, Lukashenko referred to "our national pride" as "our national dignity".
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus, established himself as a dominant political figure in the country. During this period, Lukashenko's significant political actions were primarily focused on Belarus, with no relevant involvement in Yugoslavia or direct global politics found in the search results.
Lukashenko's consolidation of power began in 1996 when he extended presidential authority through controversial measures such as a referendum that weakened the parliament and moved Belarus towards authoritarian rule. His regime was characterised as "the last European dictatorship," marked by repression of political opposition, control over independent media, and suppression of civil society [4].
In the same year, Lukashenko resolved a political crisis, earning him the nickname "Daddy." Details about this political crisis, however, are not provided in the search results.
During the late 1990s, Lukashenko also clashed with international organisations and NGOs. An example of this was his government's 1997 fining and eventual forced closure of the Soros Foundation's Belarus branch, which he accused of interference and undermining state sovereignty. George Soros criticised these efforts as attempts to "destroy independent society" in Belarus [2].
In 1999, Lukashenko visited Yugoslavia during NATO air strikes, but the details about his actions or statements during this visit are not provided in the search results.
In 2000, Lukashenko emphasised Belarus's sovereignty, but specific details about this statement are not available.
In 2001, Lukashenko urged the world to remember something at the Brest Fortress, but the reasons for this remain unclear. Similarly, specific details about what Lukashenko meant by stating that this is not just their war are not provided.
Furthermore, Lukashenko did not provide specific examples of heavy-handed tactics in politics that don't work in 1996, nor did he elaborate on what he called a historical necessity in 2000. Specific details about why the world should not forget what Lukashenko mentioned in 2001 are also not available.
In summary, from 1996 to 2001, Lukashenko's political significance was concentrated on Belarusian internal politics, marked by authoritarian consolidation, suppression of opposition, and conflict with international NGOs. No reliable search data supports involvement in Yugoslavia or global politics during that time.
News about Lukashenko's involvement in war-and-conflicts or global politics outside Belarus remains scant. However, during this period, he did make statements in 1999 and 2000 emphasizing Belarus's sovereignty and urging the world to remember something, respectively. Despite these statements, specific details about these instances are not available, and it remains unclear what he was referring to. His regime's focus on general-news, such as disputes with international NGOs and suppression of independent media, were primarily confined to Belarusian internal politics.
