Belarusian politicians about meeting of Viktor Yushchenko and Alyaksandr Lukashenka
- 20.01.2009, 15:59
Famous Belarusian politicians commented on the meeting of Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko and Alyaksandr Lukashenka in Chernigov to Charter’97 press center.
Vyachaslau Siuchyk, public figure and head of section “Memorial” of the Belarusian Voluntary Society of Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments:
— Maidan and Kreshchatik are an old history... on November 21, 2004, ahead of the second round of the elections, a group of Belarusians arrived in Kyiv to support the brotherly Ukrainian people. We took part in street actions and rallies. Unfortunately, Ukrainian leaders didn’t use the potential of the Ukrainian nation. I was astonished to see common Ukrainians ready to scarify themselves for the sake of their country.
I don’t think it is correct to call Alyaksandr Lukashenka president. He was president until 1996, when the Constitutional coup happened. Now, when Belarus remains indifferent in a Russian-Ukrainian gas dispute, I think our country could have avoided Lukashenka’s visit to Ukraine.
Artur Finkevich, leader of the “Young Belarus” organization:
— Meeting of Yushchenko with dictator Lukashenka is treachery of the value of the Orange revolution, they we, Belarusians, defended. Most of Belarusian democrats were at Maidan in Kyiv, hundreds of our nationals were living in camps on Maidan during the month when the future of Ukraine was to define. In my opinion, actions of Viktor Yushchenko are absolutely inconsistent. It is a treachery of all of us.
Ukrainian president should be reminded that opposition is persecuted on politically motivated grounds in Belarus, 11 people are sentenced to restraint of liberty for participation in protest actions and can be considered political prisoners. Politically active young men are drafted into army forcefully and unlawfully. Mopping-up is being carried out among pro-opposition young Belarusians. Taking into account this situation, this meeting is amoral and impossible for a normal head of a European head.
Zmitser Barodka, activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus”
— I was shocked to hear that Yushchenko is meeting with Alyaksandr Lukashenka, I didn’t believe it was true. I can’t understand how Yushchenko, who stands for Ukraine’s joining the European Union, can dispense with EU fundamental principles. Freedoms and human rights are violated grossly and cynically in Belarus. I’ like to remind Ukrainian and some European politicians, if they want to “wash” dictatorship by making economic matters a cornerstone, they are also responsible for the events in Belarus.