Andrei Sannikov: “I shall struggle till victory”

A candidate in the presidential election in Belarus Andrei Sannikov has given a press-conference in the editorial office of “Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belarusi”.

Questions to Andrei Sannikov were asked by journalists of Interfax-Zapad, BelaPAN, Associated Press, Reuter agencies, “Nasha Niva”, “Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belarusi” newspapers.

Concerning the events on December 19 on October Square in Minsk Andrei Sannikov said the following:

“The Square is people. There will be consolidation of leaders. We all are working now for people to come to the square. And I see that very many people are ready to do that. Not only in Minsk, but in many towns which are visited by us now, people are really determined, they are ready to rally on he square, to wait for the results of the election and express their attitude to these results.”

Journalists supposed that communications of the regions with Minsk could be hindered on December 19. “Do you mean the old scenario? Roads would be blocked, people put down from trains? And what about liberalization, which is needed to get money from Europe? It will become known undoubtedly, and we shall promptly inform about all such facts to international observers and people who decide whether loans should be given to the Belarusian authorities or not,” Sannikov said.

Mass media were also interested what scenario is being realized by the Kremlin in Belarus, and whether Russia has its candidate at the present presidential election.

“As far as I see and can understand: the Kremlin has given very strong signals that it won’t deal with Lukashenka any more. He is not a partner for Russia. Lukashenka failed to fulfill any serious commitment he had undertaken. I think that now Russia is attentively observing the developments in Belarus. They are keeping a close watch on statements and programme speeches of the presidential candidates, and they are to adopt some decision either during the tally of votes or after. It is one of the scenarios I see now.

As for the Kremlin’s candidate in the election… Lukashenka was one. They had been maintaining him for 16 years. And I do not know now. I do not think that they could reach such a decision very quickly. To my mind, there is no direct candidate. But there is a great interest to the developments here, and who can become Belarus’ leader of Belarus very soon,” Sannikov believes.

The presidential candidate has also commented on the recent statement of “For Freedom” movement leader Alyaksandr Milinkevich that Lukashenka could be divested of authority in a year or two.

“There is such a faulty tendency. Something like: let us give Lukashenka legitimacy now, and we’ll see what to do next. The main objective of Lukashenka is to stay in power. And if it happens, it will be a huge mistake, and consequences would be negative both for Belarus and our neighbours. Even today an economic nightmare is happening. A well-known economic Leanid Zlotnikau told to me that in order to keep afloat the economy in Belarus today 1 billion dollars is needed. This is the indication of what is to happen with the economic, financial system in case Lukashenka stays in power,” Sannikov stated.

The presidential aspirant has commented on the joint declaration of the US and Belarus, in which Belarus is commended for its decision to dispose of its reserves of high enriched uranium by 2012.

“I know Americans well. In order to get rid of the danger related to nuclear armaments, they are ready for such unconventional moves. And I would like to note that we have dispensed with enriched uranium already. But like in the case of nuclear missiles withdrawal, Lukashenka bristled. Then nuclear weapons or plutonium or uranium are in question, the US react nervously, and are ready for such steps.

But this agreement is not an indication of attitude to Lukashenka, but the fact that the US has not lifted their sanctions. That’s the evaluation of the situation in Belarus. I do not think that rhetoric would change in some way. The US representatives are taking part in the election observation as well, and I think they are able to assess the situation in the country objectively,” Sannikov believes.

Though the upcoming election is sure to be not free and not democratic, Andrei Sannikov has stated that he is ready “to struggle till victory.”

“From the start there were grounds not to recognize this election. Lukashenka does not have a right to run for presidency. He has violated all laws we have. We are taking part in this campaign knowing that, and knowing that there will be no vote count. Even his recent actions, not coming to the Central Election Commission to submit an application for registration, using our money for his PR campaign, would be reasons for eliminating him from election in a normal state. Yarmoshyna’s being the chair of the Central Election Commission, though international sanctions are in force against her particularly for electoral fraud, is sneering at people of Belarus. And by her words before the election campaign that she is a member of Lukashenka’s team we have been told: there would be no elections in our country; it's not to be expected. And I do not expect that. Lukashenka’s rating today is only about 20%. I shall to fight to the end, till victory. We are making history, and together we shall win,” the candidate for presidency in Belarus is convinced.