What Changes to Come to Belarus?

Changes are inevitable, anyway.

It seems like the Belarusian authorities neglected the lesson of the spring. Do you remember how it all began? On February 17 the opposition offered Lukashenka negotiations on way out of the crisis. The authorities thought for a while and... decided to take the experienced scheme.

Activists were arrested, journalists were detained, cases were initiated, opposition leaders were kidnapped, raisins were picked out an entire month before the Freedom Day.

And what? On March 25 thousands Belarusians came to the center of Minsk anyway. On March 26 it happened in other regions as well. And on May 1. The same will happen on September 8.

It's time to come up with the idea that old schemes are no longer effective. The person who responds with baton on negotiations is perceived as an idiot by a civilized world. Not because of his stupid act, but persistent ignorance of consequences. They can be as follows: social upheaval and civilian riot. Any insignificant event may become a spark.

Yesterday Mikalai Statkevich was arrested; he called on to take the Kastrychnitskaya Square on the Day of Belarusian Military Glory. But we all understand that his absence will not affect the action. Belarusians will come to the Square. There will be someone to raise the flag, there will be someone to say the right words, there will be someone to head the protest against the presence of foreign troops on our land.

Changes are inevitable, anyway. Perhaps, it will be the result of negotiations between opposition leaders and representatives of the power. Or Russian tanks and guns that can smash the current regime will bring these changes in. And if the authorities do not learn civilized relations with their opponents, the second option will become much more real.

Jauhen Afnahel, Facebook