BELARUSIAN PRESIDENT UNVEILS MEMORIAL TO DZERZHINSKII

Alyaksandr Lukashenka on 7 October opened a memorial complex at the birthplace of Feliks Dzerzhinskii (1877-1926), founder of the Soviet secret service Cheka, which was the originator of the Bolshevik terror and mass executions. Addressing the chiefs of CIS secret services at the ceremony in Dzyarzhynava, Dzerzhinskii's native village 30 kilometers from Minsk, Lukashenka said the goals and principles pursued by Dzerzhinskii are a "good foundation for strengthening the cooperation of our special services." According to Lukashenka, the "great man" Dzerzhinskii devoted his life to building a peaceful and tranquil life in the "mighty state." "This task remains quite topical for the CIS countries at present, as well," Lukashenka added.