Dialog with west depends on authorities actions on Freedom Day

Lyavon Barshcheuski, head of the Belarusian Popular Front party, thinks possibility of dialog with the West depends on how the Belarusian authorities will behave on Freedom Day 25 March. The main condition for establishing ties between the Belarusian authorities and the West is problem of political prisoners.

He and other participants of the Belarusian Week in the European Parliament heard it from many European politicians.

“We want to emphasise this date – 25 March. Much will depend on this day, in particular, possibility of further dialog with the world and Europe,” BPF leader adds.

As for today, the Minsk city executive committee hasn’t forbid, but hasn’t permitted the holding of the mass event, member of the organising committee of celebration Viktar Ivashkevich said. What will happen if the authorities don’t allow to move on the planned route?

“In any case we are gathering on Yakub Kolas Square at 6.00pm. In any case we are laying flowers to monuments to Kolas, Kupala, Mitskevich and Bahdanovich. Whether we will manage to reach them depends on assistance, neutrality or hindering by the authorities. But in any case we will lay flowers to these monuments,” Viktar Ivashkevich said.

Journalist asked the politicians, who came back from Strasbourg, whether they invited the MEPs to visit Minsk for Freedom Day celebration.

Lyavon Barshcheuski said such approaches were made:

“First of all, Ivonka Survilla addressed the Governments of the US and big European countries to follow the situation on 25 March. Secondly, a number of European Parliament and national parliaments members are trying to receive Belarusian visas now. It‘s difficult to say whether they will succeed, because this policy changes every day. One could receive a visa yesterday, but can’t receive it the next day. And vice verse. So I can’t say for sure who will come.”