Strange flirting with dictatorship

Belarusian experts say statements of Lithuanian Prime Minister during his meeting with the Belarusian PM are strange.

“Former political prisoner Kazulin had a meeting with the President of Lithuania and warned the West that the regime is still repressive and destroyed judicial system remained. Some people are released, but some are thrown to prison,” politologist Raman Yakauleuski told in an interview to the Charter’97 press center.

It should be reminded that on September 2, Gediminas Kirkilas said during the meeting with Syarhei Sidorski in Druskininkai that “Belarus has settled down to a course of progress – invited OSCE observers and released political prisoners”. According to Lithuanian media, Kirkilas called this meeting “very friendly”. He stressed that Lithuania couldn’t avoid dealing with Belarus, as the countries are united with main issues and a common border.

“What concerns OSCE observers, the apologists of power vertical should be reminded of the words of their icon of the past century – Stalin, who said it’s important who count the votes at the election... Can we speak about a progress when access of the opposition to TV air and polling station commissions resembles a mockery?” Raman Yakauleuski said in the interview to the Charter’97 press center.

As the politologist thinks, judging by official information, issues on energy safety were discussed during the closed meeting of the prime ministers.

“It is known that forums on issues on dependence on Russian energy and new energy resources are regularly held by Baltic and Black Sea states. Minsk seldom takes part in them on an example of Moscow. Lithuania was among the countries that didn’t; support a proposal to impose sanctions on Russia for agrees against Georgia at an emergency EU summit on September 1. Vilnius says now that the EU should soften its positions to the regime of Lukashenka. Economy and policy should b separated. However, political system of Belarus doesn’t allow this separation. In my view, if PM Kirkilas visits Belarus at the invitation of Sidorski, it won’t be a meeting of the two colleagues. The conservators, who are known for their clear attitude towards the regime of Lukashenka, will probably win the parliamentary election in Lithuania scheduled for October 12,” Raman Yakauleuski noted.