Uladzimir Arlou: "I am sure, March 25 is to become a state holiday" :: Charter'97 :: News

The proposition of Zmitser Bandarenka, Charter’97 coordinator, to announce March 25 a state holiday –the Day of freedom and unity- and to mark it with a joint action of the state authorities and opposition for protection of independence of Belarus under the slogan “For Freedom! For Belarus!” has been actively discussed in Belarus.

“March 25 is to become a state holiday- the Day of Unity and Reconciliation of all the Belarusians. Now it not the right time for splitting Belarusians into “friends” and “enemies”. The life itself forces Belarusians to integrate (…). The country’s authorities and opposition leaders, Chairman of the Rada of the Belarusian People’s Republic Mrs. Ivaonka Survilla, heads of the Orthodox and Catholic churches, other confessions, famous public and cultural figures ought to participate in the celebration. Invitations for this day celebration in Belarus are to be sent to heads of the European Union, Council of Europe, to leaders of the neighboring countries. The authorities, in their turn, ought to make a step forward: apart from announcing March 25 the state holiday, all political prisoners must be released and a direct dialogue with the opposition has to be announced. The words ““For Freedom! For Belarus!” can become the slogan for the nation-wide action of unity and reconciliation,” considers Z.Bandarenka.

How do opposition parties’ representatives regard the possibility of such action to be held? The Nasha Niva asked that question to the outstanding persons.

“Deputy” Syargei Kasyan suggests:” There has not been any war among the Belarusians. That is why there is no reason for their unity and reconciliation, moreover, with such opposition, which is available in Belarus. It is well known that the opposition is necessary for the society but the opposition, which won’t turn to the West for the sanctions against the official Minsk. Let opposition work for development and prosperity of the country.” We do not need any noise and the authorities do not require any meetings-the people are well aware of all the good done by the authorities for the benefit of the country.”

The Belarusian People’s Front, in its turn, made a decision on summoning the organizing committee for the Day of Freedom celebration. “March 25 must become a pretext for wording our viewpoint on the future of Belarus. Today the Belarusian economy as well as the Belarusian statehood development are in the deadlock. And the only way out is urgent democratic reforms. They will enable our returning to Europe, receiving considerable assistance of the European Union and the USA. According to the authorities, the independence is important to them either. Thus the authorities get the possibility to prove that they can integrate with the democratic forces on the ground of independence.”

Writer Uladzimir Arlou, in his turn, supposes “ the unity” of the Belarusian people has been manifested annually on the Day of Freedom, “when representatives of the law –enforcement bodies were beating up those who had come out to the squares of Minsk and other towns for this day celebration. On this day people of different political views have already been gathering in one and the same places for many years. The militia has been festively equipped on that day. As far as this year celebration is concerned, I don’t see any signs that it will be marked differently. But for perspective, I am sure, March 25 will become a state holiday.”

Peat Paulau, musician of the N.R.M and” Garatskiya” said concerning the joint participation with the “power-supported” musicians in the concert on March 25:” There should be a pre-agreement with us and all the stages of our participation are to be discussed. If not, we will definitely refuse. Potentially, we do not object.”
Chairman of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyadedzka considers the idea interesting but far from reality:” The idea is creative. I imagine the following frames of “unification” near the Svisloch . Lukashenko and Sheiman are marching in the forefront they are followed by Milinkevitch, Kaliakin and Lyadedzka and the embraced Dzmitri Paulyuchenka and Zmitser Bandarenka are heading this column. The picture is almost fairylike, but not very realistic. Today I can hardly imagine such situation development as it is well known to everybody what can be expected from this power. But we have to continue sending such messages.”