Vaclau Areshka: Russian Cossacks are “creeping” occupation of Belarus

Activities of radical pro-Russian organisations in our country could result in an armed stand-off.

Such an opinion has been expressed to charter97.org by a cultural studies scholar and a member of the organizing committee for creation of “Belaruski rukh” (“Belarusian movement”) party Vaclau Areshka, who commented on the activities of Russian Cossacks at the territory of Belarus.

- Such attempts to originate a “Cossack” movement in Belarus are taking place for a long time already, the problem is about 10 years old. Historically it has no basis behind it, as there have been no Cossacks on the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and on the present-day territory of Belarus. Even Ukrainian Cossacks didn’t have their land here, not to speak of Russian ones. It is an absolutely foreign phenomenon. It seems to me that it is a part of the same “Russian world’s” expansion, which has been discussed by us many times. It is an absolutely artificial, imposed aggression, both cultural and directly physical, I would say, as Cossacks are a rather radical part of “the Russian world.”

- What attitude should people have towards Cossacks, who organize military camps and training even for little children?

- I think that it is absolutely inacceptable for Belarus. This phenomenon should be condemned and should be treated by the society as hostile towards Belarus – at any levels. Even state bodies should be addressed. As for democratic organisations, not to mention active organisations, it seems to me that one should resist this by all means, even by the means of physical force.

- During their camp-fires they are trained to handle weapons, they have physical training courses… “Little green men” are simply on our doorstep, aren’t they?

- It is very dangerous. Once there were attempts in Belarus to found the RNE (Russian National Unity) and other aggressive Russian organisations. It seems to me that it is a “creeping” occupation of Belarus, which could cause real armed activities, that is, to creation of the pro-Russian “fifth column”, which would act in the territory of our country by openly combat methods. It should be fought against. And people should be talked to, they should be taught, so that they would be ready for an open confrontation, a face-off, if necessary.