Boris Nemtsov: We'll be like guerrillas

One of the leaders of the Russian opposition is expected to visit Minsk on April 24, though the Belarusian authorities are not happy to see him.

Boris Nemtsov, a co-chair of the People's Freedom Party, comes to Belarus for a public discussion of the relations between Minsk and Moscow and signing joint documents with the United Civil Party.  

Minsk hotels refused to lease premises to hold a meeting with the politician.

“We were going to hold a public discussion of the Belarusian-Russian relations, but all hotels in the capital closed their conference halls for that day. This is Belarusian hospitality. But we have many dugouts and bunkers left after guerrillas. Everything is going according to plan,” UCP leader Anatol Liabedzka wrote on his Facebook account.

Boris Nemtsov revealed details of his visit to Belarus in an interview with charter97.org.

Why are you coming to Minsk?

We arranged with the United Civil party to sign a joint agreement on cooperation against dictatorship, authoritarianism, abuse of power and corruption. In this case I represent the People's Freedom Party (PARNAS). We had a similar agreement between the Union of Right Forces and the UCP, so signing this document looks logical now.

Will it be followed by particular actions or the agreement will remain just a declaration?

I think a sort of coordination in our opposition activity would be a right step. It concerns working out strategies and tactics for election campaigns and coordination of protest activities. Unfortunately, Putin has become so close to Lukashenka that Belarusians and Russians don't have differences in methods of  struggling any more. We need to exchange our experience.

All conference halls are reported to be not available on the day of your visit. You cannot hold a meeting with journalists and have a public discussion. What do you think about it?

It wasn't a surprise for me. Everything is clear. The situation is the same as in Russia. I cannot say I was shocked by the news. We will be like guerillas – we'll go to a forest to sign joint documents.

Are you afraid of going to Minsk taking into account the provocations organised against you and Irina Khakamada?

It seemed earlier that Belarus is one thing and Russia is another, but now I understand clearly that there is no big difference between them. We are ready for everything both in Moscow and in Minsk.

Boris Nemtsov criticised the Lukashenka regime on several occasions and faced provocations in Belarus. He was declared persona non grata in Belarus in 2003. Boris Nemtsov was banned from entering the country for five years.