Nil Bune: Belarus – A Country of Contrasts :: Charter'97 :: News

UN resident-coordinator Nil Bune has been working in Belarus since 1999. Previously he represented the organization in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Pakistan, Butane, Sudan and Sri-Lanka. According to Mr.Bune, Belarus’ condition may improve only if she makes use of the western countries’ experience and implements structural reformations in the economy.

- Under international classification, Belarus is referred to the list of countries with a transition economy. How would you characterize it?

- Belarus is a country of contrasts. It can be named a developed country in the sphere of education, human potential, healthcare, industrial infrastructure and so on. However, the level of its integration into the world community is lower than in most European countries, including the Central European ones. According to the international standards, related to the market economy development, Belarus comes up last on the list. In other words, it is a country, which is paving its way from the Soviet economic model to some other, which is why it can be called a country of contrasts.

- What other former USSR Republics can be paralleled to Belarus?

- I would compare it more with Ukraine and Russia, at least with their western regions. All three countries have similar industrial infrastructure and agriculture.

As concerns education, it remains on a high level as before. Healthcare is experiencing similar difficulties as many Ukrainian and Russian regions do too. However, most of the problems, faced by Belarus, are more complex than in the three of its neighboring states – Poland, Lithuania and Latvia and way more tough than in the Central European countries.

It is hard to draw any concrete conclusions about its economic condition. Judging by the progress in the level of incomes, estimated in comparison with the dollar rate, Belarus is doing just fine. This figure shows the population’s level of solvency.

From an individual income’s point of view, an average Belarusian’s purchasing power is higher than in, say, Ukraine, where the state renders fewer services to the population free of charge.

However, if we look at the problem from the future perspective and welfare of new generations, perspectives and competitiveness of the Belarusian plants, then we will find out something, which is admitted even by the Belarusian government: namely that no structural changes occurred in many sectors of the economy. For instance, the level of the small business development remains pretty low in both Russia and Ukraine, but in Belarus it rests even below that. In my opinion, your country badly needs sound small business sector for the employment, economic efficacy and attraction of the foreign investments. That’s vital for the future.

- What progressive steps did Belarus make last year and what did it fail to do?

- Both economically and socially we are worried by the problem of the Belarusian budget for the year 2003. Some ministries receive small funding under the new budgetary provisions. I guess this is partially explained by the taxation problem. The government fails to reach proper balance between incoming and outgoing means. I fear that this could grow into a big deal in the year 2003.

The problem of non-payment of taxes by the companies can affect the level of unemployment. I fear that if the state income isn’t large enough, they will have to curtail expenditures on healthcare and education. This can bring about the reduction of profits, which people gain in the form of the free or cheap medical treatment or decent education.

Therefore in the year 2003 the unsolved problems of the past year may deteriorate and entail heavy social follow-up.

At the same time within the UN programs’ framework we, along with the Belarusian authorities, are carrying out a range of projects. For instance, we received international financing for a number of projects, linked with the energy and biological diversity. We also embarked on the new project on small business development. It is paramount that we receive enough funding for that from the government. We also uphold the National strategy on reducing the poverty level, which shows that the government admits that there must be developed a strategy to tackle this issue well. We hold trainings for judges together with the Supreme court and BSU legal department, as well as concentrate on the problems of AIDS.

- Have you noticed any human rights progress last year in Belarus?

- On one hand, the United Nations pay serious attention to the human rights education. In my view, human rights education in Belarus dwells on the same high level as in the neighboring states. The Belarusian government collaborates well with us in the sphere of education too.

However, when it comes to the commentaries on the situation in Belarus, voiced by the UN human rights bodies, headquartered in Geneva, things don’t look so optimistic at all. For instance, the International Labor Organization is particularly alarmed by the infringement on the right for the freedom of professional organizations and unions. Special rapporteurs report to the High Commissioner for human rights about versatile human rights abuses, such as assaults on human rights defenders and dependence of the judiciary. They also ring alarm bells over the fate of the missing people.

- What will be the influence of the global world processes, such as, say, the EU enlargement eastwards, on the situation development in Belarus?

- Belarus is located on the crossways of Europe. A great portion of its GDP depends on trade. Objectively, every situation, which impacts the region’s condition, will likewise affect Belarus.

Generally speaking, the EU extension should positively influence Belarus. Hopefully, visa problems with Poland, Latvia and Lithuania won’t hamper the exchange of ideas and experience, which is so crucial for your country at this stage.

EU will contribute to attracting investments into its new members and their economies will turn more effective, raising people’s welfare to new heights. Should the neighboring countries develop in such a way, this will arouse the investors’ interest in Belarus too. They will be interested in Belarus owing to the lower prices and its proximity to the new developing markets and reputation of a country with an effective manpower.