Viktar Ivashkevich: We are taking part in election – for European politicians

• 6.02.2012, 14:16

The co-cahirman for creation of Belaruski Ruch (Belarusian Movement) party Viktar Ivashkevich believes that opposition has found itself between two fires – the public sentiment and partners in the West.

As said by him, means should be looked for inside the country, not abroad.

- As for the split of “the Six”, it seems to me that in this case it was a position of a number of activists, most of whom are in favour of boycott, – the politician said. – At numerous forums it is clearly seen, as it was seen at the congress of the Belarusain Chruistian Democracyu Party. But on the other side, there are aspects that are not discussed publicly. However, for instance a leader of one of the oppositional parties told that in case opposition would not take part in the election, a number of European politicians would view that as absence of opposition in Belarus and can turn their back on such an opposition. By the way, it was mentioned by the chairperson of the CEC Yarmoshyna as well: there is no escaping for the opposition, their donors are sure to herd them into the election. I do not exclude that Western politicians really exert pressure on the Belarusian opposition for them to take part in the election campaign. And the opposition finds itself between two fires. On the one hand, public sentiments, and on the other hand – demands of their partners. That’s why they are looking for tricky phrasing. We take part in the election for the European politicians. And for common activists they say: we are going to withdraw candidatures at the supreme moment if political prisoners are not released. It seems to me that the both start losing respect to opposition due to this ambiguity.

- And what is the way out?

- The way out is to say partners: “It is not for you d\to decide what will happen in Belarus, but for Belarusians. And we do not care even if you turn your back on us. The main thing for us is that the Belarusian nation would not turn back on us.” But these words are hard to say. As the question of paying rent for the headquarters, salary to several employees would be immediately raised… but new possibilities would be opened: fundraising inside Belarus, which would revitalize the activities.

- That is why you didn’t want to participate in the work of the Six, isn’t it?

A few years ago I pointed at these mistakes, and the time has demonstrated I was right. They were mistaken when they said that candidate Sannikov is nobody, and party leaders and structures are real mouthpieces of the public thought. During the crisis they stated that we go to people, we should raise awareness of people about party brands. I said then: “Come to a foreign currency exchange office and say that you have come to popularize your party band.” You would not receive a slap in the face in best case. So I am not welcomed in such coalitions of six. And they are shunning me, or their partners could become displeased,” Viktar Ivashkevich said in an interview to euramost.org.

We remind that four political forces: “For Freedom” movement, the Belarusian Popular Front, “Tell the Truth!” company and the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) have signed the Declaration “On Public Discussion and aims and forms of participation of the Belarusian opposition in the “election-2012”. Other structures, members of the Coalition of the Six, are undecided.

It was planned that the oppositional Six sign the declaration on January 31.In addition to the names parties, the Six includes the Belarusian Christian Democracy, the United Civil Party and the Belarusian Leftist party “Just World.”

Then the co-chairman of the BCD Vital Rymasheuski was indignant that the text of the document offered for signing was different from the text which had been negotiated for the previous two weeks. The conflict ended by a kick of Alyaksandr Fyaduta to Vital Rymasheuski.

However, on the same day four political actors of the opposition signed the declaration. Taking into account the wide response after the press-conference on January 31 was thwarted; we find it necessary to publish the document which had been signed by a number of representatives of the democratic forces.