19 March 2024, Tuesday, 11:44
Support
the website
Sim Sim,
Charter 97!
Categories

Uladzimir Kiyko: Authorities Are Most hated In Small Towns

8
Uladzimir Kiyko: Authorities Are Most hated In Small Towns

Life is the hardest for the residents of small towns.

The opposition need to focus on the work at the regional level, as life is the hardest for the residents of small towns.

Representative of the Belarusian National Congress in Vitsebsk Uladzimir Kiyko told this to the press-center of the BNC:

- In your opinion, what were the most significant events in the civil and political life in Belarus this year?

- The most important and significant were protest actions that took place throughout the country. For many cities, especially district centers, they have become a real event, one might say, on a historical scale. Never in the modern history of Belarus did so many people go to protest actions in Vorsha, Pinsk and other regional centers. This was not expected not only by many political scientists - the government was shocked by the determination of people. Therefore, without a doubt, these actions, launched by the Outraged Belarusians’ March, organized by the BNC in February, are the most important events of the outgoing year.

- Let us try to summarize the results of this “protest year”.

- It seems to me that the main thing is the citizens' awareness of the fact that the current political leadership of the country will not continue to effectively manage the country and the economy, cannot be responsible for their own actions and initiatives. Not the least role in this was played by mass protests. Many people opened their eyes, and they told themselves that it's no longer possible to live like this. Even those who did not consider themselves opponents of the regime, but took a position of indifference, seem to have mad etheir decision. If in the winter of 2017, many said, "Yes, Lukashenka is bad, but where is the guarantee that a better one will come instead", now they say "Anyone, but not Lukashenka". This is, in my opinion, the main result of the outgoing year.

As for the opposition, during the year it became clear who was who. Its healthy part, which regards the regime as criminal, does not play up to it. And this is correct, because, as is known, negotiations are not conducted with terrorists and it is dangerous to play with them according to their rules. The second part, unfortunately, acts as the devil's advocate in the West and has chosen cooperation with the authorities.

as its strategy.

For myself, I consider the year to be quite successful, because this year I joined the activities of the BNC. Through participation in protest actions, I was able to meet many unindifferent and active Belarusians who are patriots of their country, for whom justice and honesty are not empty words. Such acquaintances are worthy. Only for their sake one can go to the actions.

- What should be the strategy of the BNC in the next year?

- In my opinion, the chosen strategy is absolutely successful, it is necessary to hold on to it. We need to attract new people into the resistance, look for new ideas and initiatives. It’s needed to act at the regional level more. Practice shows that life is harder for the people there. The most acute discontent with the current authorities, even hatred – lives in small towns.

- What would you like to wish Belarusians in 2018?

- Good luck, self-confidence, and to be more active and optimistic. And then the situation in the country may change. No dictatorship can last forever, its resource is limited. The long-expected changes for the better will come soon.

Write your comment 8

Follow Charter97.org social media accounts