Will actions of protest be held in March? :: Charter'97 :: News

In two months the anniversary of the latest presidential election is to come. The results of the election were fraudulent and the election itself was not considered as honest and free.Tens- of- thousands of Belarusians went out to the Kastrichnitskaya square to protest against the fraud. Soon the square was renamed into the Kalinousky square. It’s a common opinion that the opposition was really united and presented itself with dignity. Late in October the political council of the united democratic forces made a decision on the mass action to be held on March 19, 2007. One of the opposition leaders Anatoli Lyabedzka also called on coming back to the Kalinousky square on March 19 at 8p.m. Press-center of the Charter’97 asked the leaders of the oppositional political parties if any preparation for the mass action of March 19, 2007 was going on.

Anatol Lyabedzka, leader of the United Civil Party:

“At the last sitting of the political council of the united democratic forces I was patiently waiting for someone to recall this subject and to raise the issue. But that didn’t happen. Half a month ago I insisted on discussing the issue, I tried to insist on including the phrase ”We are meeting in the Kalinousky square on March 19, 2007 at 8p.m.” into the leaflets of democratic candidates for the seats of local soviets’ deputies. But then a huge circulation of the leaflets was printed out without that phrase. Supposedly, not everybody from the political coalition is willing to use the street factor for the process of Belarus’ democratization.

Now the issue of the mass action of March 19, 2007 remains poised in midair, everyone verbally agrees, everyone is nodding. We need someone to take the initiative. We had the two presidential candidates. On March 19 we shall have the anniversary of the latest presidential election. It will be correct for those people and their structures to take the initiative. We are ready to participate in the actions. But if the others do not take any active steps, I may also step aside, I also have other things to be busy with, with the national Committee, for instance.”

Alyaksandr Bukhvostau, trade-unions leader, co-chairman of the left-wing parties union:

“The situation has become aggravated to a certain extent. There isn’t any common viewpoint on conducting the Congress of democratic forces. We thought, that it was necessary to start with conducting the Congress, consolidating and then to turn to mass actions. But now we are not unanimous on the issue. If it happens in the near future, then the preparation for the Congress will mean preparation for future actions.

I can’t admit that the preparation is underway, that any actual steps are made, everything remains in draft projects. We haven’t denied the idea of protest actions, but, I think, here our desires do not always comply with our abilities for raising large masses. A certain part of the active youth, political parties will move on, but what concerns a really mass action, I doubt it. For that we need a more serious preparation.

Syargey Kalyakin , leader of the Party of communists Belarusian:

“No comment. I believe, this action should be left without any comments. As far as I know, the work in this direction is being conducted. But by whom, I shall not comment.

Vintsuk Vyachorka, leader of the BPF party:

“As far as the BPF party is concerned, we believe the Day of Freedom on March 25 to be the main political date. The people are to be mobilized under concrete and actual slogans. To recall the things which happened a year ago is not efficient. I agree, the events of March 19, 2006 were an upraise, a wake up but we have to suggest new up-to –date slogans. These slogans are-protection of the Belarus’ independence, return of Belarus to Europe, saving of the country from economic crash.”