Milinkevich not to run for co-chairmanship in Political Council of United Pro-democratic Forces :: Charter'97 :: News

Alyaksandr Milinkevich, who still formally holds the position of chairman of the Political Council of United Pro-democratic Forces, will not run for co-chairmanship in the Council at the forthcoming Congress of Pro-democratic Forces.

A decision to this effect was made on May 23 by the Council of the Milinkevich-initiated Movement For Freedom.

"The present path of the united pro-democratic forces is not a path that can help change the situation in the country," the former presidential candidate`s press office quoted him as saying. "The opposition will get into an impasse even further because of differences to be revealed at the Congress. It is impossible to organize work by holding round-table discussions. I will take part in the Congress to show to everyone that the form they have chosen is weak and inefficient. We will also participate to show that we are not destroyers, but we are critical of the present situation inside the pro-democratic forces and are ready to change it."

Nevertheless, Mr. Milinkevich`s supporters decided to form a group called Regions for Freedom that would back their leader at the Congress. Viktar Karneyenka was elected leader of the group, while Alyaksey Kavalets was elected deputy chairman, and Halina Skarakhod became secretary of the group.

"The Regions for Freedom group consists of people who support the Movement For Freedom and Alyaksandr Milinkevich. We are able to show that we are a united force," said Mr. Karneyenka.