Belarusians Will Defend Their Leader

The Freedom Day will become a push on the way to radical changes.

Coordinator of the “European Belarus” civil campaign Dzmitry Bandarenka has said this to the Charter97.org.

- It’s less than a week before the Freedom Day. How do you assess the situation in the country and in the society on the eve of this important event?

- You’ve said this very well, it’s a very important event. Moreover, I am convinced that it will become a historical event.

Not everyone realizes this, but March 25 is really a chance for Belarus to proceed to the peaceful changes in the country. March 25 could become the first big step towards the start of the real negotiations between the authorities and the opposition.

Lukashenka, naturally, is in fear, panicking. He is hysterical. He knows the real state of affairs in the economy and the people’s true attitude to him. I think he attentively watched hours of video-records from the Marches of Outraged Belarusians, and heard what the people thought of him and the system that he had built.

Leader of the protests Mikalai Statkevich took over the responsibility for holding the action on March 25, because he understands the importance of this day and the real opportunity it gives, probably better than anyone else.

For Belarusians today, Statkevich is a man who represents them in the interaction with the authorities.

- You’ve said Lukashenka is panicking. What are the possible scenarios of the events on March 25?

- The stupidest decision the authorities might take now is to try to “neutralize” Mikalai Statkevich, to detain him till March 25.

Of course there is such a temptation. However, it will mean that on March 25, dozens of thousands of people who would come to Minsk from all over Belarus, will consider their main goal to release their leader Mikalai Statkevich.

It will become evident to the whole world, that Lukashenka refuses from the negotiations with his people and the democratic opposition. And the forfeit for such stupidity, also financial, will follow immediately.

No matter whether Lukashenka wants it or not, Statkevich today represents the people, their hopes and will.

- What should the Belarusians do to mark the Freedom Day decently and to defend their demands?

- First, they need to realize it won’t be just another street action, but a historical event, which will determine the life and the future of every Belarusian citizen and all our people. The importance of this date should be comprehended.

On March 25, it will become possible to return the subjectivity to the people of Belarus – through the action itself and through the protest leader Mikalai Statkevich. This is a very important moment. All this appear closely interconnected today.

The subsequent changes in the country will become possible in the end through free elections. All the opposition leaders and the people who dream of realizing their potential in politics, will have to go through this mill of the people’s will expression at the free elections under the international control. This is the next step.

We can start this mechanism already on March 25 and 26. Mikalai Statkevich knows what he is saying when he states: “We will have to come out not just once and not for one day”. We need to be disciplined, brave and responsible – and we will succeed.

It will never be the same old way again. Belarus has changed and Belarusians have changed also.

Lukashenka has no more opportunitites to torture the country’s economy. The Belarusian economy was the first to show a fig sign to Lukashenka. Now it’s the turn of political changes. Because only new people, new authorities can change the situation in the country for the better.

The main tactical goal for today is to protect the leader, prtotect Mikalai Statkevich. This should be done by the Belarusians in the country, and the Belarusian diaspora abroad, and the friends of Belarus all over the world. We should protect the man, who represents us.