Chairman of PACE lays down a condition - to release the political prisoners :: Charter'97 :: News

Release of the people who are considered as political prisoners within the EU might have become a step forward to closer relationship between the European Union and Belarus. This was reported by Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Union (PACE) Mr. Van der Linden when he was dwelling on the outcomes of his meeting with Uladzimir Kanaplyou, chairman of “the house of representatives”.

Among the steps towards the closer positions of Belarus and the EU, head of the PACE also named a might-be opening of the Information Bureau of the European Union, increase of the role of pro-governmental as well as oppositional parties in the political life of the country.

Mr. Van der Linden compared politics with a football match, which is ”impossible without two teams”, the match being of a particular interest when ”two strong teams are playing”.

“Hopefully, the dialogue is to start, all the more so, the situation contributes to it, " head of the PACE said, reminding of a recent economic conflict between Russia and Belarus.

V.K. Kanaplyou, in his turn, mentioned that at present there is no reason for Belarus not to be given a status of a special invitee to the PACE. According to him, “ all the disputable issues have been outlined.”

Mr. Van der Linden stressed that first steps toward the closer relationship were to be made by Belarus. “That is not in the interests of Belarus to remain isolated. It has to be interested in becoming a part of Europe,” head of the PACE considers.

Yesterday Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Union (PACE) Mr. Van der Linden had a meeting with representatives of the Belarusian opposition .The meeting was held at the German Ambassador’ residence in Minsk. This country now presides the EU.

As Chairman of the United Civil Party (UCP) Anatoli Lyabedzka announced to the BelaPAN, the meeting was attended by leader of the united democratic forces Alyaksandr Milinkevich, head of the BPF party Vintsuk Vyachorka , acting chairman of the Social Democratic Party (Gramada) Anantoly Lyaukovich, leader of the Party of Communists Belarusian Syargey Kalyakin.

“Mr. Van der Linden dwelt on the grounds for his visit, ”A. Lyabedzka said. According to him, Mr. Van der Linden laid down a number of conditions before the Belarusian authorities for his visit to take place. “Among these is a meeting with the opposition, representatives of the public and churches, a lecture to the students and the possible meeting with Alyaksandr Kazulin in prison. All those requirements were met but the last one. Instead, Mr. Van der Linden agreed on the appointment with Irina Kazulina, Kazulin’s spouse,”- said Alyaksandr Lyabedzka.

Chairman of the PACE and representatives of the political parties discussed the conditions of a possible cooperation of the European structure with Belarus.” Mr. Van der Linden suggested to organize the Information Bureau of the European Union in Minsk as well as to attract international experts to investigating the situation with political prisoners in Belarus. We have also determined the priorities for the dialogue to be held: introduction of the changes into the electoral legislation, unattached mass media, release of the political prisoners, and possibility of the civil society development in Belarus,” said Alyaksandr Lyabedzka.

Leader of the UCP assumes that Mr. Van der Linden "is interested in the dialogue but he realizes the Belarusian realities: how open the official Minsk is to a real dialogue and not to its imitation".