Andrei Klimov: Authorities Must Repent :: Charter'97 :: News

“While it is not too late, we should comply with the democratic standards, proclaimed by the Constitution 1994, repent and bring to justice those, guilty of abducting prominent politicians, and by so doing redeem the evil, which the regime committed during referendum 1996,” – said in an interview to Charter’s press-center 13th Supreme Soviet deputy, one of the United Civil Party leaders, former political prisoner Andrei Klimov.

Andrei Klimov, MP of the Supreme Soviet, dispersed by Lukashenko in 1996, was arrested on February 11, 1998 on charges of illicit entrepreneurial activities. He spent over two years in pre-trial custody, after which got sentenced to six years of hard-labor colony with property confiscation. International community recognized him as a prisoner of conscience.

- Andrei, there passed a year since your liberation. What does that year mean to you?

- I would call it the beginning of the new period in my life. I am alive only my some miracle. And it is so great that I’m free right now. However, not so long ago this was rather questionable – for we are all living in an awful country with awful people in power. Saddam Hussein is a lamb, as compared to these folks, for he doesn’t hide his intentions and you always know what to expect of him. But our state leaders wear European garments, attend church ministry but in reality abhor the European values and sold their souls to the devil.

- How would you assess the political situation in Belarus?

- Thanks to Saddam Hussein Belarus must finally see light at the end of the tunnel. Due to the greediness of Russian politicians and unclear thirst for the European hegemony, we turned out to be in the center of the new political re-division of Europe. Belarus will not be viewed as an appendix to the Russian Federation, but rather potential EU member-state. Our presidential administration must bear in mind that literally two months after the Iraqi crisis Russia will be left alone with her problems, connected with the sharp fall in prices on oil, and will get rid of the Belarusian regime right away. While it is not too late, we should comply with the democratic standards, proclaimed by the Constitution 1994, repent and bring to justice those, guilty of abducting prominent politicians, and by so doing redeem the evil, which the regime committed during referendum 1996.

- What do the opposition forces need today?

- My answer will seem strange to you and very offensive to some, but we have no opposition as such. We only have individuals, who, despite all hindrances, remain faithful to their convictions and devoted to the democratic values. Opposition is a structure, which can’t really affect the state policy. Recent elections manifest that opposition is not only unable to affect anything but people simply mock at it. In fact, opposition today appeared from the rise in the apartment rent and prices on foodstuffs. But what we usually refer to as opposition is a group of people, who must continue their efforts. Something they are doing right now is a feat and must be rewarded.

- On March 12 Belarus will host People’s March. On that day they will hold national entrepreneurs’ strike and street rallies in the Belarusian towns. What’s your attitude to this action?

- I not only support this action. It is just what we need to do in order to make people protest. This action can help unite those of us, who want to do something for Belarus.

-- How typical is it for the entrepreneurs to engage in strikes and street protests?

--Just as typical and sit in jail on trumped-up charges.