Viktar Ivashkevich: «Well, where are those radicals?»

Viktar Ivashkevich, deputy head of the Belarusian Popular Front came to Kastrychnitskaya Square in Minsk at 2 p.m. 4 November. The politician was staying in the center of the square with two flags - European and Belarusian - and asking: “Well, where are those radicals?” Charter’97 press center asked Ivashkevich what his actions meant.

“After the European March a tide of speculations and publications appeared, especially on the Internet forums, organized, in my opinion, buy the same people who have organized the provocation with “fascists” and “anarchists” today. They wrote that “old” oppositionists must go away and make way for “young radicals” who don’t want to come to Bangalor Square and want to go to Kastrychnitskaya Square. So, I have come on Kastrychnitskaya Square today, but haven’t found any radical youth leaders. I have nobody to give back a scoop – one of the scoops they had handed us in order we go to Bangalor Square (Minsk dwellers usually walk dogs on Bangalor Square).

There are no radical leaders. There are provocators. After the events on the Social March, when specially for the Belarusian TV a fight between “fascists” and “anarchists” was organized, it has become absolutely clear for everyone that it was a continuation of the provocation that had begun on the European March. It doesn’t mean all these “fascists” and “anarchists’ are KGB agents. They are marginal youth groups, brainless, manipulated by the secret services”, - Viktar Ivashkevich noted.

Ivashkevich remarked, that later some tens of activists of the organizations “Young Democrats” and “Bunt” (Rebellion) appeared on Kastrychnitskaya Square. “Some tens of people came, but there were no youth leaders among them. They came without flags, without any markings. Then Ihar Rynkevich and I raised posters. When they saw we were staying with the flags and nobody tried to detain us, they made bold to unfurl their slogans. I didn’t saw the leaders ready to take responsibility for the development of the democratic movement. I didn’t saw any radicals. It is evident for me that these young people aren’t able to organize a real mass and powerful action”, - Viktar Ivashkevich said.