Mikalai Charnavus: What Can You Show Us from Your Drazdy?

Everyone, both entrepreneurs and "spongers", will take the Square in the autumn.

Relations between the Belarusian dictatorship and a private business, especially epithets thrown by Lukashenka, may take a worthy place in the museum of cynicism.

In keeping with the 23-year tradition yesterday Lukashenka ordered to prepare documents on working conditions of Belarusian entrepreneurs by October 1. The dictator promised some mysterious "consessions", but he demands a complete obedience in return. "God forbid, if there are any violations after October 1, every offender will be punished," the ruler stated.

The dictator also called on entrepreneurs to work not only on their own, but for the "benefit of the state". "Business is a great burden. One should be effective and well-equipped. First, you must be strict to your own and not to take squares and cry that the state neglects you," Lukashenka warned.

Who do other clumsy "reverence" mean? Entrepreneur and public activist from Baranavichy Mikalai Charnavus answer Charter97.org acute questions.

- Yesterday in a blaze of some "self-blame" Lukashenka stated that "entrepreneurs do their business and we start nitpicking". What does this mean? Do his words worth any trust?

- God, what nonsense! This is said by the person who insulted entrepreneurs in the worst way one can imagine! There will be no "improvements" in a business sphere. He had 20 years to "improve" and where is a result?

Let him better "improve" salaries of Belarusians, then entrepreneurs could regain their feet. Without his "improvements". After all, the income of business depends largely on the purchasing power of citizens, on the overall "well-being" of the economy. Let it better be improved. But he won't do it!

What can he "improve" in the country? People already live under "be on last legs" principle.

- But in return to his abstract "improvements" Lukashenka demands a very specific obedience, and even threatens with "punishments". What could you say about it?

- I'll say! He is afraid of protests. This is what he is concerned about the most. Because entrepreneurs are going to take the Square in the autumn.

But a spoken word takes its flight: once he stated something, it is clear that no concessions and bonuses can be expected. On the contrary, Executive Committees and tax inspections, other inspectors are ordered to get tough. Entrepreneurs will be put out of the market.

I can say that it's too late for his "punishments". His threats are pointless to us now. There are no more ways to intimidate us. What is he going to do in October? What is the other "surprise"?

There is nothing left. We have already faced all possible challenges. . Now both entrepreneurs and other people in Belarus should survive. If he doesn't give us opportunity to survive, he'd better be ready to face "all the best".

We will come to see what he's going to "show" us from his Drazdy on October 1. And we will go to the Square. There will be more people than it was in the spring. Then only the bravest ones came, but now everyone will come. And then try to show us what you can do.

- Why did the authority choose October 1? The new version of the Decree on "parasites" wants to be published on October 1, as well as new rules for entrepreneurs. Is this a magic date?

- The authority knows that this autumn will be "hot". Both entrepreneurs and "spongers" will come to the Square to see what he is going to "show".

There is no way out for people. People want to work and they are considered "spongers". And enterprises have no money to pay salaries.