Lev Marholin: System Collapses When It Is Touched

The government is looking for money everywhere.

Economist and politician Lev Marholin stated that while commenting on information about Belarus' intention to join an international treaty which provides data to member-states about foreign bank accounts of its citizens.

"It is clear that the government is trying to seek money everywhere," Lev Marholin told in the interview to EuroBelarus. - Many Belarusians go at least to Poland and Lithuania. It is clear that many of them open accounts there which can be taxed."

But the economist believes that voiced intention of the Deputy Minister for Taxes and Duties to join the treaty does not guarantee that tax authorities will receive such information.

"I do not tend to believe that Western partners, even if the treaty is signed - will automatically blab to Belarus. The image of our state is not free and undemocratic. I think that Europe still remembers what happened to Ales Bialiatski several years ago - and the lesson was learned there", Lev Marholin said.

""f course, if it is about millions of some businessmen, the information is likely to be provided, but I do not think there are a lot of such Belarusians. It is better to look for them in Lukashenka's circle," Marholin added.

The economist also notes there are a lot of Belarusian accounts in Europe: "students of the EHU need such accounts, but there are insignificant sums of money." "We observe other attempt of the government to rake up some money by hook or by crook," Lev Marholin believes.

"Meanwhile, the country faces great problems both with cash and non-cash money, the economist notes. - Information about foreign economic activity has been voiced - it is still declining. There is nothing to make boast of. Although Prime Minister Semashka is a great optimist, he says we have already passed through the peak of the crisis and we can move forward. Well... The position binds him and other ministers."

As for the recent appointment of Kiryl Rudy as an ambassador to China, who is famous as a main initiator of reforms, according to Marholin, "it was clear he could do anything."

"Lukashenka has repeatedly stated no reforms are expected, although all proposals of his assistants. He clearly sees that as soon as the system is stirred up it collapse like the USSR in 1989. Rudy, so to say, was a "display window" for the West. For example, any foreign delegation arrives and it is necessary to have someone talk to them in English", Lev Marholin summed up.