Andrei Sannikov: We Are Ready To Take Over Responsibility For Country

Decisive actions of united opposition are necessary today.

It was said in the interview to charter97.org by the leader of the European Belarus civil initiative, the presidential candidate in the elections-2010 Andrei Sannikov.

– A book by Lukashenka’s aide Kiryl Rudy, A Financial Diet, has been released in Belarus. In fact, it presents many theses of your economic programme in the presidential elections-2010, in particular in the part of attracting global brands and foreign investments to Belarus. Why the authorities have decided to resort to your economic programme at this precise point in time?

– A Financial Diet by Rudy is a really landmark book. It says rather overtly what a model exists in Belarus, and it is stated that this model is non-viable.

Officials have to speak about that in mild tones, but no mildness could make easier the life of people, which is very hard in Belarus today. It is stated in the book that “a state capitalism” exists in the country, and it is based upon a command and administration system. It is clear that it is not simply a dead end, but a suicidal path for the entire Belarusian society.

Why the book was released exactly now? That’s because the situation has changed, and primarily the energy market situation. Oil prices have fallen fourfold, and consequently, revenues from sales of Belarusian oil products have decreased. The situation in the economy demands fast response, fast reorientation and reforms, which had not been implemented in Belarus ever.

I think that there are sober-minded people in our country, including state officials, who at the moment are simply raising the alarm and saying openly: no one needs exaggerated figures – the GDP has dropped in our country over the past five years, and the livings standards are falling.

– Amid this economic crisis the Belarusian opposition plants to hold the Congress of Democratic Forces in spring. You are a member of the Congress’ organizing committee. To your mind, what chances are for the oppositional forces to unite?

– I would like to say that in this context – the context of the economic, social and political crisis in Belarus – the democratic forces are to assume responsibility for the country. We said so in 2010, and we are ready to take over the responsibility, including the responsibility for the economy.

Now the desire of people, of the entire society, is obvious, it’s for the democratic forces to unite and counter the disastrous foolishness of the authorities with a clear platform, a reasonable path of development for Belarus – and defend such a path. At the same time we are to confront threats to the country’s independence.

What is done by Mikalai Statkevich, the indisputable leader of unification processes, now cannot but inspire respect, and it asks for support. That is why the European Belarus civil campaign has decided to give support to these efforts.

– What Belarusian pro-democracy politicians should do in the context of the system-level crisis, caused by the incompetent management of the country?

– One should act decisively today in order to dismantle this system, which is wrecking Belarus. It could and must be done by uniting, by talking and finding solutions jointly both with people in Belarus and our partners abroad.

Resolute actions are required today. There’s no time for delaying and reflection any more.