19 March 2024, Tuesday, 9:52
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Big Zero

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Big Zero

All but intrigues of Lukashenka's servants is under his control in the country.

"You'd better not protest, Putin may change Lukashenka for other person." This is not a phrase of a nightmare, but current position of many Western diplomats and officials. In plain English, "be silent or it will be even worse."

From time to time adherents to "real policy" deliver all sorts of meanness formula. Can you recall, for example, the concept of opening all borders and access of Lukashenka's regime to all European institutions - even against the backdrop of rampant repressions and overcrowded prisons with political prisoners? Then, it was said that as soon as Lukashenka visited the civilized world, saw the Louvre, the Big Ben he would get into European values. One more thing: let's support Lukashenka, because there is a war in Ukraine, protests in Moldova, and even Transnistria, so let one "buffer zone" remains stable. Or this way: Lukashenka needs assistance and protection from the Kremlin, otherwise, Russia may come too close to borders of the EU.

In fact, the present-day extended formula is only an option of the latest one, but with some new "x" and "y", according to the current moment. Current input data are more repulsive: Lukashenka will not quit of his own volition, Putin can change him for his person using a small-scale bureaucratic coup. We can't have that. So, now no assistance to opposition does make sense: in case of protests Putin may get nervous and replace Lukashenka. And now we have a guarantor of the sovereignty, let it be. As a consolation, the opposition is said that now a few conditional (very conditional, speaking frankly) independent candidates will be allowed to "the House". It happens for the first time in 20 years. It will give hope that in thirty years reforms and changes to be launched. And it is a short way to free elections. There is no hurry: The universe is eternal, the time has no beginning or end, and our life against the backdrop of eternity is an utter trifle, a grain of sand, atom.

It all is said in a low voice or with whisper amid loud statements that Europe is open for Belarusians, not the regime and the Belarusian people should feel like a part of a big European family. However, the cost of a Schengen visa for Belarusians - a good neighbor, eastern partner - is €60. And for a Russian - citizen of the predatory regime we are being frighten with by European real-politicians supporting Lukashenka - it costs €35.

However, it is not about the cost of the visa. Long ago, when Lithuania was not a member of the "Schengen zone", it issued national visas valued at €5. And now, when the cost of the visa is already set by Brussels, Lithuania as well as Poland, provides with many free visas. Both neighbours ensure "corridors" for those who come to concerts of banned Belarusian musicians. In general, they help as much as they can. But the general EU position, unfortunately, is "real policy" to its excessive degree. But to claim that Lukashenka is a guarantor of the sovereignty and somehow control the situation is either blindness or meanness.

Even first-graders know that all but intrigues of Lukashenka's servants and tortures in prisons is under his control in the country. Other things and people are beyond his power. He is not able to control any number of zeros in the national currency, or ever losing battle for the harvest or the bureaucratic thievery, or dying economy (when he tries to control it, and drives it even deeper) or the bringing up of Russian troops to the Belarusian border.

Oh yeah, he also does not control the border, because twenty years ago he personally unearthed a border marker. He was eager for gas at Russian domestic prices and now 1200 km of the border are completely defenceless. One can do whatever he likes - import weapons, drugs or move terrorists in Europe. Do they really want to persuade us that Lukashenka control the situation?

It’s funky. Lukashenka is a big zero. His power is an illusion. And we support it when we agree to participate in absurd tricks like "elections to the House" instead of protests. Then other thirty years we will have to wait for some changes to come. And not our own courage, drive to change something, or a wish to live a happy live with our children, but Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease will be our saviors. They are not the most worthy allies, are they?

So let's do it on our own. There are no other options but street protests. The protest is the only way to defeat the dictatorship. And it's better and more honest than attempts to break into the "House" of degenerates or anticipation of Alzheimer's.

Iryna Khalip, especially for charter97.org

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