Janusz Onyszkiewicz: Lukashenka will have to answer Milinkevich :: Charter'97 :: News

“The attitude of Europe to Belarus must become similar to the former relations between Europe and Poland during the “Salidarnast” times. That dialogue resulted in gradual relaxation of the communist regime in Poland and its further decline. Alyaxander Milinkevich’s letter to Lukashenka manifested readiness of the opposition to the dialogue. I was not surprised with the absence of your leader’s response. But finally he will be obliged to answer. Currently, Europe should support, first of all, the independent public and political structures in Belarus”, declared Vice-President of the European Parliament Janusz Onyszkiewicz in his interview with the Nasha Niva. 25 March the Vice-President of the European Parliament came to Belarus for the Day of Freedom celebration.

Nasha Niva: Why have you accepted the Alyaxander Milinkevich’s invitation to Minsk for the Day of Freedom celebration?

Janusz Onyszkiewicz: 25 March for the Polish people is not only the day of freedom of Belarus; it also reminds us of the 1918 events in Poland. Together with the Belarusians we struggled against the Bolsheviks. Belarus and Poland were very similar then but the history suggested different paths to our nations. That is why this date is so important to us. I also came here to support the Belarusian opposition in its struggle for democracy. My support means the support of the whole Europe.

NN: Have you met representatives of the official authorities during the visit?

YО: I have planned only meetings with the oppositional policymakers. I was afraid that I would not be permitted to come to Belarus. Last year I also attempted to come to Minsk during the presidential elections but they simply didn’t let me come. That is why now I tried not to dispose my intentions for the last year’s situation not to be repeated.

NN: Haven’t you been afraid of been arrested in Belarus as it happened to the former ambassador of Poland Mariush Mashkevich who was kept at the Akrestin for 15 days last year.

YО: (laughing) I was more than once imprisoned during the martial law in Poland (1981-1989). That is why prison is neither new nor horrible to me. The prison in Belarus would not become anything unexpected to me.

NN. Does Belarus seem open to dialogue with Europe?

YО: It is assumed in the European Union, especially, at the European Commission that the dialogue with Belarus is essential. The problem is how to prevent legitimization of the Belarusian authorities through the dialogue. I assume that the attitude of Europe to Belarus must be similar to the former relations between Europe and Poland during the “Salidarnast” times. That dialogue resulted in gradual relaxation of the communist regime in Poland and its further decline. I was not surprised with the absence of your leader’s response. But finally he will be obliged to answer. Currently, Europe should support, first of all, the independent public and political structures in Belarus.

NN: Does it seem to you that the steps towards implementation of the twelve claims of the European Commission have been taken?

YО: There aren’t any signs that that Belarus really intends to implement the claims. However, a couple of days ago I talked to one of the European Commission representatives and his attitude to the state of things in Belarus is more optimistic. He is anticipating the changes for the better here. Let us wait and see, but until now no real positive moves have been noticed. Today’s action of the opposition has also proved that. If the authorities didn’t prevent the Day of Freedom celebration it would be a small positive step forward though insufficient .The most essential issue in this respect would be release of the political prisoners but, unfortunately, there is nothing of the kind.

NN: What have you expected of the opposition’s action?

YО: I have expected to see many people proving to Europe that the democratic movement is strong in Belarus and the Belarusian people are looking forward to the democracy and they have not lost heart. Actually I have seen that.

NN: What is the Belarusian opposition to do to succeed?

YО: First of all, they are to get united, because Europe needs a single Belarusian partner (not many separate partners) to negotiate with. Sometime ago there was only the Salidarnast in Poland, there were also minor organizations but all of them joined the Salidarnast. There is one policymaker who is considered as outstanding and European-scale policymaker in the West. It is Mr. Milinkevich. He is to become the key figure of the Belarusian democratic movement.

NN: What are your forecasts regarding the time for the democracy to be established in Belarus?

YО: The fact that Belarus is to become democratic is inevitable. And hopefully, it is soon to become.