Statement of UDF Political Council in connection with foundation of Social-Advisory Board by Presidential Administration

Recently some independent and state-run media published reports about expanded contacts of the regime with representatives of democratic opposition.

In particular, there were reports that a number of political parties and public associations, members of the United Democratic parties, were to be included into the Permanent Social Advisory Board by the Administration of the President of Belarus. This board is headed by the head of the Administration Uladzimir Makei. In this connection the Presidium of the Political Council of the United Democratic Forces finds it important to state:

- Subjects of the United Democratic Forces haven’t received any official offers to send their representatives to the abovementioned Board;

- Status, authority and make-up of this structure remains unclear;

- Estimation of this body could be given only proceeding from concrete results of its work for democratization of all spheres of the social and political life.

The Presidium has also stated that the democratic forces are ready for an open transparent dialogue with the authorities on urgent problems worry the Belarusian society, which is reflect in the UDF strategy adopted at the recent Congress of supporters of democratic changes in 2007.