Be Real Leaders :: Charter'97 :: News

As most of the opposition activists, I was extremely upset by ding-dong fight between opposition leaders Alyaksandr Milinkevich and Alyaksandr Kazulin, and between members of their teams. For the time of electoral campaign both Alyaksandr Milinkevich and Alyaksandr Kazulin, and their supporters have demonstrated to the Belarusians their real bravery, excellent organizational skills and moral courage, and deserve respect of the Belarusian citizens and of the world community. But public controversies among opposition leaders that have emerged against the background of the heroic and tragic events in Minsk are simply breaking the hearts of all supporters of the changes.

Dear colleagues and friends! I ask you to show discretion and reserve when evaluating each other’s actions. The right of the Belarusians for a peaceful protest is absolutely legal. Nobody has a monopoly for manifestation of this or that form of protest. It is difficult to say which is more effective today: a long peaceful meeting or nonviolent march. Both are just forms of resistance. When Kazulin is charged with radicalism for heading a peaceful demonstration, one should remember that more than 400 protesters were arrested during the meetings on October Square and sweep of the tent camp, and about 100 were arrested during crackdown on demonstration on March 25. So who is more radical in this case?

Today our leaders, who have well deserved the right to be called so, are to show exceptional patience, wisdom and understanding of the souls of thousands of people ready for self-sacrifice. To our mind, Alyaksandr Milinkevich has demonstrated courage and good judgment when he revoked the solution to dismantle tent camp, as he had understood that young people wouldn’t leave. Alyaksandr Kazulin’s actions when he at first fell into a passion, however later visited tent camp defenders, are commendable as well. On March 25 Kazulin understood that part of the people would not confine themselves to a meeting in Yanka Kupala Park only, but would continue their march, and as a real leader he headed that demonstration. Those who are trying to label him today, should understand that the sweep could have taken place during the march from Lenin St. to Yanka Kupala Park. And who would be called a provocator and a radical then?

I want to address the candidates’ teams members: please, be reasonable. Avoid insulting each other. Many of you possess a huge resistance experience - A.Milinkevich as well as A.Kazulin are somewhat “new-comers” in organizing the mass protest actions. I don’t call the teams to complete unification. The practice shows, sometimes several columns proves to be more efficient. But, my friends, let us not fight with each other. Our enemies will only benefit from it. Today we must first of all help hundreds and hundreds of the political prisoners and their families. The whole world is looking at you. Be real leaders.