Unique Candidate’s Office Denounces Sable-Rattling by Lukashenko :: Charter'97 :: News

The Political Rada (council) of the opposition coalition’s single presidential candidate Vladimir Goncharik has issued a statement to condemn the Neman-2001 military exercise, which the Belarusian government planned to begin on August 26, as a show-of-force move in the run-up to the country’s presidential election.

"The propagandistic presentation of this event on the state television channel strongly differs from the reality," the statement says. "By its scale and significance, the forthcoming military show is seriously inferior to other maneuvers, for example such as West ,81. By the numbers of troops and equipment involved and its tactical plan, this exercise differs little from an ordinary regiment field firing exercise in the former Belarusian Military District."

The main purposes that the authorities want to attain by this exercise are clear to everyone, the Political Rada says. "The Belarusian ruler begins to rattle the saber in response to the international community’s demand to hold a free and fair [presidential] election in Belarus. The ruling regime’s fear of the possible loss in the election pushes it to intimidate people, who are dissatisfied with their life. There is no doubt that in the event of his failure in the election, Alexander Lukashenko will use regular and mobilized troops to ensure the desired election results by force."

In this regard, the Political Rada condemns the demonstration of military strength by the Belarusian authorities. "Belarus is a neutral country. It has never been and cannot be a source of military tension on the European continent," the statement said.

Mr. Goncharik last week appealed to Belarus, head of state to cancel the Neman-2001 military exercise. If it is impossible to call off the exercise because the Belarusian government has already spent much money on preparations, Mr. Goncharik suggested postponing the exercise until after the September presidential election.