European Radio: Milinkevich can help Belarus with western investments :: Charter'97 :: News

Alyaksandr Milinkevich offered his support to the authorities in developing the economic relationship with the West. This declaration was not groundless, considers the European Radio for Belarus. A day before Lukashenka gave his interview to the Reuters. In the interview he emphasized the importance of Belarus’ cooperation with the West. “We stood on one foot but should have stand on both feet. We are between Russia and the West, we are a bridge between Russia and the West”.

According to Lukashenka, Belarus is totally ready for developing the contact with the West but on certain conditions. As the head of the state stressed that” the West must not lay down unfeasible demands. Firstly, we must not dismantle our political system. secondly, you must not demand the dismissal of the effective president.”

Milinkevich’s statement, in its turn, also laid down certain conditions. “I am ready for joint arranged actions but the regime must start releasing the political prisoners, providing freedom for the press, parties and public organizations. “

A certain trend of “ remote dialogues” between the two leaders, leader of state and leader of opposition, has lately appeared. Please, recall, that not long ago Alyaksandr Milinkevich and Alyaksandr Lukashenka gave interviews to the Die Welt. The Reuters also attempted to start the debates. By the way, in both cases the disputes were initiated by the European mass media.

Alyaksandr Milinkevich`s interview to Reuters wasn’t his last step in this direction. The ex-candidate for the presidency sent a letter to Alyaksandr Lukashenka inviting him to cooperation. The question “what have inspired the opposition leader to send such letter?” is answered by Alyaksandr Milinkevich’s spokesman Pavel Majeika:

“When sending the letter to Lukashenka Milinkevich realized that after doing that he would face the heavy criticism of the democratic activists. But what is really important here is that the invitation to the dialogue was made for the future of Belarus. Belarus needs the European wing, which it really lacks today. Thus the letter is aimed at a sort of a compromise.

It does not mean that we have ignored the events happened under the Lukashenka’s government- the disappeared opposition members, political prisoners, termination of the independent press. But we mean that for the future of Belarus and in case our conditions are met we are ready to promote the contacts of Belarus and Europe.”

And what are the viewpoints of other representatives of the Belarusian opposition? Moreover, at the meeting of political council of the United Democratic Forces the possibility of the dialogue between the opposition and authorities was considered. Leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka says:

“Such public appeals have to be made after a single position has been jointly worked out, moreover, this position is available. Does the today’s declaration of Alyaksandr Milinkevich mean that tomorrow Syargei Kalyakin is to offer something to Lukashenka? And in a week is it Vintsuk Vyachorka to propose and so on? A parade of appeals. A single appeal from the coalition must be prepared .I think that, in terms of tactics, here we deal with not fairly adequate and correct behavior”.

From the point of view of political scientist Uladzimir Matskevitch, the offer of support is a very useful step. But, unfortunately, even if the authorities accept it, it won’t result in total democratization of our country:

“To my mind, that was a very essential suggestion, if the regime adopted it, it would be useful to everybody. It might really improve the state of the society in general, stop persecution for political reasons and achieve the release of political prisoners. It might be the first step towards liberalization and democratization of the country.

This step could be made even under the present political regime, though true democratization could not be achieved. At a certain step this process will slow down. It is because the regime can tolerate democratization but only to a certain extent, not for long and never forever. However we should move, that is why, as for me, I would welcome such process".