Conspiracy of the doomed

• Mikalay Khalezin
• 22.07.2012, 16:38

Who is trying to lie during the “election”? And whom are they trying to fool?

Long ago, in the year 2000 when the powers made another attempt to arrange the so-called parliamentary election, the democratic forces tried to boycott the mockery. While the plan of the powers failed, the boycott supported by numerous voters was successful and international institutions refused to recognize the “chamber”.

I recall, right after the polling stations were opened, a TV-host, well-known at those times and an alcoholic today, appeared on the screens to announce: “Unfortunately the election failed on most of the stations.” But just five minutes after that the nation’s foremost borsch-woman Lidziya Yarmoshyna pushed the talkative host away and proclaimed that the election is completed in the entire country but for two districts.

At that time those particularly eager to kiss Kolya’s Dad’s TM bold patch, started to discuss the failure of the opposition who had lost the election. But the opposition never lost the election; it held a successful boycott campaign at minimal costs. Lukashenka wanted international organisations to recognize the parliament, but it never happened. Nor did they recognize all those terrifying laws passed by the “chamber”. Had the opposition politicians partaken in the election, and had international institutions recognized its results, the whole thing would have been much more grievous. The European institutions would have lost rests of their honor and common sense competing with each other in who’d provide the raging dictator with better assistance in constructing new ice halls and jails.

But the situation inside the democratic opposition was completely different then. The new-wave politicians with their plans to move the “veterans” from their posts were ready to listen to common sense beside the whispers in political circles. Dzmitry Bandarenka, Vintsuk Viachorka, VIktar Ivashkievich, Ales Bialiatski, Mikalay Statkievich, Paval Dayneka, Anatol Liabedzka took the lead of the boycott campaign. They weren’t afraid to try a new, innovative political way for Belarus. As a matter of fact, right after the success of the 2000-campaign they headed their political organizations, since the members of those parties trusted their honesty, professionalism and leadership.

Our present situation is much more complicated that then, twenty years ago. Today even most simple and clear schemes don’t work; today is the dark time among the opposition parties, time of dirty tricks and open secrets. Today, the most popular expression is “well, buddy, you know yourself how it’s done”; the most popular position is “they don’t do that, why should I”; the most popular pose is facing the authority, knees bent, or vice versa – backwards leaning forward.

Certain persons who mostly stay beyond political parties are still popular. These persons can make an impact; they refuse to follow the parties’ censorship guidelines and cover-up schemes. And today, all these persons are talking about one thing – the boycott of the so-called election. Meanwhile, inside the parties, their members insist on taking part in the election. They’re trying to save face, but they forget that what they do is standing on a market place with their pants down.

Who is trying to lie now? And whom are they trying to fool?

Don’t we know why Aliaksandar Milinkievich will take part in the election? Or maybe we don’t know that since 2006 he has been blackmailed by the powers, received threats against his sons, property and personal security?

Haven’t we heard Anatol Liabedzka complaining that Belarusian party institutions get funds from foreign organizations only to take part in the election?

Don’t we know that the communists’ leader Siargey Kaliakin has always been afraid of conflicts and has always supported the powers’ shady affairs?

Have we forgotten the terms on which Decembrists of the first call have been released? Or why they were the first to join the election campaign? Or don’t we see one of the main advocates of “telling the truth” offering the election participants ten thousand dollar each before the campaign and ten after?

All these candidates participating in the election because they “want to come out to the people” are nothing more than the powers’ agents in the opposition’s rear. We should have no illusions about their kind intentions to fight for the voters. The situation is not just simple; it is very simple. Had these politicians something to talk about with the people, they would have come to each house, each apartment for a long time ago, not waiting for a formal permission from the powers. And had the people had any desire to see and hear these politicians, they would have come to their homes themselves, woken up Milinkievich from sleep and asked “Hey, Aliaksandar, tell us the truth now.” But alas, there’s nothing Aliaksandar can tell them.

The opposition politicians, who expect the powers to grant them dividends for partaking in the election, should realize that not all around them are idiots who can’t see their actual motives. We’ve had the last 18 years to figure out the price of everyone and everything. It is much simpler to tell the truth known to everybody. “Are you going to vote?” “Kolya’s Papa TM asked me to. He said if I won’t…” There are many ways to finish the line: “my son will be expelled”, “they’ll beat my face”, “I’ll be reduced to the ranks”, “I’ll lose my bonus payment” etc.

Mikalay Khalezin