Mikalai Statkevich: Key To Changes In Belarus In Our Unity

Opposition should show unity during “the elections” and in response to their rigging by the authorities.

It has been stated by one of the leaders of the Belarusian opposition, a former candidate for presidency in 2010, Mikalai Statkevich in an interview to charter97.org, as he commented on the document “The Unified Position of the Democratic Forces On “Parliamentary Elections” In Belarus” signed in Brussels today.

– How this document had been elaborated and adopted?

– The unified position of the democratic forces had been worked out before the trip of the opposition leaders to Brussels. It had been agreed upon and worked out here in Belarus?

It is our evaluation of the conditions, in which the “parliamentary elections” are to take place in Belarus. Unfortunately, this assessment is absolutely negative today, and it is a quite objective fact.

The unified position on the “elections” was signed by leaders of democratic forces in Minsk (it has been signed by Anatol Liabedzka, Mikalai Statkevich, Vital Rymasheuski, Siarhei Kaliakin, Iryna Veshtard, Yury Hubarevich, Aliaksei Yanukevich, Uladzimir Niakliaeu),and then read out by our colleagues in Brussels.

– Will this document influence the position of the European Union on the “elections” in Belarus?

– It will, but not to the extent we would like to. The major instrument we could influence the “elections” and the EU position on Belarus is our unity during the “elections” and our decent, adequate response to how the authorities would hold them.

If our response to rigging by the authorities will be really intense, then it is to influence the OSCE assessment. But if we are going to fight by statements only, it would not help us.

– Could signing of this document be considered as one more step in opposition uniting?

– The joint statement is a certain progress on the path of uniting democratic forces. But one thing is to give a general situation analysis, and another thing is to be really united, and act together, which includes sacrificing part of the so-called “party sovereignity.”

I could say one thing: we are carrying out consultations on the topic of opposition unity in the “elections.” The Belarusian National Congress in Minsk has become a momentum for these consultations. I cannot reveal details now, as the talks continue, but they are to yield a positive result.

I addressed the session of the Commission on International Affairs of the European Parliament. There I told about the Congress, about its background, how people overcame the fear of repressions in order to give opposition a chance to unite. I think that it is a breakthrough and readiness of people to unite would not be in vain.