The State of the People Resembles One before a Thunderstorm

Lukashenka increasingly reminds of elderly Leonid Ilyich.

This autumn I have found that the number of veiled duties on Belarusians is much more than one could imagine.

First bells at schools could hardly cease to tingle and it turns out that the fastened schedule “for Kolya” is subject to payment, additional classes before lessons are not free.

The situation with textbooks also looks like on a unilateral collection of gain by the government: their quality is not worth the money paid for them.

In addition, communal and utility services have increased in price since September 1 and it also has its secret side.

Where is the edge that can put an end to the current power? Jjournalists of Charter97.org talked to representative of the Belarusian National Congress in Hrodna Siarhei Veramyenka.

- September 1 added troubles to the Belarusian families. What are the moods of people in Hrodna?

- Anger is stirring. I'd like to say that I've just paid bills in a bank. Talks in the queue show that the situation will not bear much further strain. People stand in huge queues to pay impressive amounts for textbooks of not the best quality.

Everything that happens in the country resembles the situation of the late Brezhnev. The general idiocy of power has reached its top. Lukashenka increasingly resembles elderly Leonid Ilyich. Only his arguments about the fact that our youth cannot know a cow from a horse are worth quoting! Or this resonant schedule "for Kolya".

We can see that the power is drowning in its idiocy and is separating from the people. They live in a parallel reality in Drazdy. Their ridiculous experiments turn the Belarusians against themselves. I am sure that it will drive the power into problems.

- What other experiments apart from a chaotic beginning of the school year should we expect?

- Perhaps, the most unpleasant of the innovation is another price increase of rent bills. And the most annoying thing is that this is not the last time inflation of prices against the horrible quality of services. It's cold and damp in houses now in Hrodna. The whole city is digged to prepare it for a new heating season, and it is not known whether the seanon starts on time. Of course, payments should be paid without delay.

The general state of the people is very tense, like before a thunderstorm.

Russia-Belarus military exercises also add concern.

- Are their any preparations for these maneuvers in Hrodna?

- Hrodna journalist Dzmitry Ivashyn wrote about a column of military equipment with no insignia (presumably - Russian) which drove into the territory of the military unit near the Hrodna Folyush. I also saw this tilt column with my own eyes.

The Belarusian military equipment passed through the city several times and moved towards Hozha training area. I wonder why it is necessary to concentrate the equipment on the training area near the border with Poland and Lithuania if exercises are defensive. We were persuaded that the military exercises to be held far from the western borders of Belarus.

- Generals have secrets, don't they?

- I guess, yes. And it makes people nervous. In addition, the equipment thoroughly spoils the road surface during the movement. There were accidents as well: everyone remembers the accident when an armoured personnel carrier hit the vehicle of Hrodna resident.

Secrets of Belarusian generals are a different story. It is much easier to answer why they do it. They are puppets. In fact, they will fulfill plans the Kremlin has prepared for them. Our leadership - both military and civil - are people who are 100% dependent on Russia, fed by Putin.

And we should come out to the streets on September 8 to participate in the Warning Action, Kastrychnitskaya Square, Minsk. This is the only way to preserve dignity. Every Belarusian has the right to go out on this day and speak out against the Russian military. It's a matter of honor.

It is clear that people are more concerned about socio-economic problems, but I am sure that the situation is favorable for Belarusians to switch on a brain and see prospects in the future.

- What does promote this awakening?

- Inept experiments of the authorities on the economy and the people. People are brought to the edge, when a starving "stomach" makes the head turn on.

This year protests have showed that a Belarusian is a mindful person. It would seem that the authorities enslaved our people by contracts, total control, the risk of losing their jobs. It doesn't work that way: the people have realized that the future sounds better than up-to-the-minute "losses" because of protests.

The Belarusians are peaceful, but freedom-loving runs through in our blood. They are worth much more than the authority can give, they are wise. I think we are already crossing the edge that makes a Belarusian transform and he will be unstoppable.

The simplest example: the last round-up on Belarusian partisans was in 1953 near Hrodna. Anti-Soviet resistance was hard to stop, it did not stop in people's minds unless the collapse of the empire. КNow we are dealing with a "non-empire" that supports Lukashenka's regime and is much weaker than the USSR. And it will be harder for it to stop rebellious Belarusians.