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Andrei Sannikov: West-2017 Exercises Pose Threat To Entire Region

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Andrei Sannikov: West-2017 Exercises Pose Threat To Entire Region
ANDREI SANNIKOV

We should not turn a blind eye to Lukashenka helping Russia in its aggressive actions.

“The tribute of respect paid by President Donald Trump to the Polish history, the history of struggling with the evil in the materialization of the Nazi and the Communists; to the Polish freedom fighters remains very important also for us, the Belarusians. Belarus needs free elections. Let us not be naive at the times when Aliaksandr Lukashenka is holding the West-2017 exercise and partakes in the military adventures of Russia,” – leader of the “European Belarus” civil campaign, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Andrei Sannikov stated in an interview to the Polskie Radio (translated by the Charter97.org).

The politician noted that although they did not mention the problems of the Belarusians in Warsaw, the US President spoke about the values for which they were fighting today in their country.

Sannikov warned that the West-2017 military exercises posed a threat to the security of the entire region, including Belarus.

“Having combined Trump’s message on values and the reports on the West-2017 maneuvres, it becomes clear that the authoritarian regime does not strengthen or support security. Europe should understand that. The people of Belarus can confidently say that Lukashenka is no guarantor of stability but, on the contrary, is becoming a threat of a new iunrest in the region. Only on the condition of democratic changes Belarus could contribute to the regional security,” - Andrei Sannikov said.

The politician reminded that the Belarusians are protesting against the West-2017 exercise.

- How do you assess the visit and speech of US President Donald Trump in Poland? Is it significant for the region? What is your opinion as a representative of the Belarusian democratic opposition?

- I think it was a strong, impactful speech. The visit was fruitful. I can only quote the Polish officials who said that the US President Donald Trump had told everything they wanted from him.

The tribute of respect paid by President Donald Trump to the Polish history, the history of struggling with the evil in the materialization of the Nazi and the Communists; to the heroism of the Poles at war and the Polish freedom fighters remains very important also for us, the Belarusians.

I think this is very important: struggle for freedom is beyong time, and it is now going on very close to Warsaw.

- What will be the results of this meeting? For example, will the US policy in the region become more active?

- I hope so. President Donald Trump spoke about the need for a stronger Europe, about NATO, the importance of Article 5 and the collective reaction.

At the Global Forum in Warsaw, organized also by the Atlantic Council, we talked about the importance of transatlantic unity. I think the fact that the US President was present at the Three Seas summit is also very important. I can only express my regret that the summit was limited to the members of the European Union, because I would like to see representatives of Ukraine, as well as representatives of the civil society of Belarus.

The US president sent strong signals, especially given that it was on the eve of the G-20, before the first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. I assess this visit very positively, although my country was not mentioned. Nevertheless, the principles, values, about which we would like to hear, were mentioned.

We have not heard anything about the democratic society in Belarus, human rights, freedoms that are absent there. Nevertheless, we have heard that Europe chooses freedom, a community of free people, and the West, the United States, and the European Union are based on such values. Thus, the message was indirectly announced.

- What do you think about the policy towards Russia and the possible scenarios connected thereof? We heard about Russia which destabilizes the region, about numerous aggressive actions committed by the Kremlin, and, of course, the situation in Ukraine to a greater extent. What do you think in this regard?

- The West-2017 maneuvers were mentioned several times by both presidents, of Poland and the US, but they were not spoken about in Krasinskich Square. These exercises are also a cause for concern for Belarusians. Another action was held against the exercises on Saturday in Minsk.

Having combined Trump’s message on values and the reports on the West-2017 maneuvres, it becomes clear that the authoritarian regime does not strengthen or support security. Europe should understand that. The deployment of NATO troops in Poland shows that the West understands this and is taking measures to respond to these threats.The people of Belarus can confidently say that Lukashenka is no guarantor of stability but, on the contrary, is becoming a threat of a new iunrest in the region. Only on the condition of democratic changes Belarus could contribute to the regional security.

- Do you have any expectations on how to help Belarusians in this situation?

- It is necessary to do our best to preserve values. A session of the PA OSCE was held in Minsk last week – it shouldn’t have happened in a country with an authoritarian regime and no free elections.

It was the first time when such a great number of democratically elected MPs met with the “parliament” of Belarus, which wasn’t elected in compliance with the law. The decision to organize the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk denies the principles of the OSCE and greatly undermines European values.

This indicates that some lessons have not been learned. For example, with such concessions to Azerbaijan, repression there only intensified. I do not think that such events can improve the situation at a time when Belarus does not have the rule of law, free elections, repressions continue, human rights are violated.

- What should be dome in such situation?

- We insist on holding free elections. This is a very logical, peaceful solving of the situation in Belarus. If the authorities in Minsk send signals that they are ready for changes, we will hold elections. We are talking about real elections, not fake ones, which they are in Belarus for more than 20 years. I think that this is the only peaceful solution that allows us to do without violence and chaos. The condition of the need for free elections can really help us.

Today we need to think about real risks for the region. It is naïve to turn a blind eye to the fact that Lukashenka helps Russia in its aggressive actions, allowing holding of the West-2017 exercises at the territory of the country, letting Russian soldiers with weapons into Belarus. It is naive not to notice this.

Agnieszka Kaminska, portal PolskieRadio.pl, talked with Andrei Sannikov

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