Lukashenka tosses a challenge to 5 millions of citizens
- 19.11.2007, 10:05
The matter-of-factness with which the ruling regime disposes of the social allowances, didn’t left much hope that they would come to their senses, the leader of the trade union Alyaksandr Bukhvostau believes. However, on November 16 everybody was convinced that Lukashenka won’t return allowances.
But in the talk with people for whom the assistance of the state is a saving straw, we could hear: “Lukashenka could be unaware of the catastrophic consequences of the decree. Do you know how many cares he has? And now, after the mass protest rallies, he is sure to grapple with all of that!”
Blessed are those who believe! Faint hopes, which are in fact illusions, were also stirred up also by talks about targeted assistance. State-run mass media were overextending themselves to prove that the regime is not robbing the poor, but on the contrary, is re-channeling the funds received after repeal of benefits to them. The cynical deception continued even when deputies of the “chamber of representatives” where surprised to find out that one third of the sum of benefits had been allocated for assistance of the population. “How could it be?” some of the most credulous people’s representatives were surprised.
On November 16 Alyaksandr Lukashenka answered them: “Recently many people are reasoning that benefits would be compensated in full measure by targeted social assistance. That mustn’t be!”
I think that now even those who trust the leader of the state as they would trust themselves (such a category of people exists), understood with whom they are dealing.
Properly speaking, it’s a challenge. It’s not only a challenge to those 5 millions of people whom the state deprived of social guarantees and benefits, and cold-bloodedly exposing fellow-countryman. It’s a challenge to the whole Belarusian nation.
Alyaksandr Lukashenka himself prompts the democratic parties and trade unions what to do/ they should unite and hold mass protest rallies. There is simply no other alternative.
(The article from Tovarisch newspaper)