Olympic Champion In Rowing: Lukashenka Is Being Dissed By Own Cronies

The people are tired of enduring everything that the authorities have done to them for all these years.

While some athletes remain stubbornly silent and pretend that the events in Belarus do not concern them, others are openly indignant at the violence and deception on the part of those holding power. Among those who do not want to be silent and put up with the existing state of affairs is the three-time Olympic champion in rowing Uladzimir Parfianovich.

The 61-year-old specialist, now living in the village, has repeatedly criticized Lukashenka's system. Now he sharply and emotionally comments on what is happening in Belarus after the elections. Parfianovich is glad that Belarusians turned out to be not some “popato zombies”, he is sure that Lukashenka will rule to death, and predicts sanctions from the IOC, Tribuna writes.

- What are we going to talk about? The elections? There have been none in Belarus. Before that, even before August 9, I said that there would be no elections in our country. And participation in this event is complete nonsense.

- What about the events that took place after August 9 - did you expect something like this to happen, or, perhaps, they shocked you?

- If we recall 2010 and what happened after the elections, [we can say that] today's events were quite predictable. Both then and now people were treated very cruelly. Much more unexpected is the fact that the actions of Belarusians, their struggle with the government continues to this day. I think no one could have predicted that the protest would be so long that Belarusians would still stand up and be outraged. Honestly, until recently I thought that Belarusians had turned into some “potato zombies”. But, as we can see, our people still remained Belarusians.

- Why do you think people stood up?

- The people are tired of enduring everything that the authorities have done to them all these years.

- Do you go to the protests yourself?

- No, I’m just watching. My relatives and friends go, but I refrain due to the fact that there is a strong coronavirus in Belarus now, I went to the village, I live like a hermit monk :)

- Sometimes there is an opinion that if the authorities had not so openly falsified the elections, and Lukashenka would not have attributed 80 percent, then it would be much calmer in Belarus.

- Nothing of the kind, all this is nonsense. Even though you write 51 percent, it will still remain a falsification. And we all saw perfectly well that there were not so many people at the voting stations who voted for the current government. The authorities have already openly discredited themselves. That's the whole story. Lukashenka says he is in the majority. But we see the whole truth on the streets. Somehow we do not observe his majority.

- How do you feel about pro-government rallies, marches under red-green flags?

- It's just ridiculous! People are being driven there. Those who march on Sundays do it as they wish, from the heart, defend their position. And these pro-government rallies are some kind of a show, kolkhoz-style obscenity, which is just awful. The people who participate in this are motivated by the fear of losing their jobs.

- Why are those who go out under the white-red-white flags not afraid of losing their jobs or even being detained?

- It's simple. These people want Belarusians to be called humans, not “potato zombies”. This word, by the way, was invented by my old friend, let him rest in the Kingdom of Heaven, 15 years ago. Those who participate in the pro-government actions are the “potato zombies”.

- What, in your opinion, angered people more - falsifications or violence after the elections?

- I think the election fraud. Violence is not so outrageous. They committed brutality for a day or two and dispersed. But in fact, you cannot deceive people so openly. You need to talk to the people, and not call them unwashed goats and rats. Belarusians are our people, why insult everyone?

- The authorities say they are ready for a dialogue with the people.

- There will never be a dialogue with this power, and all these words are stupidity and deception. It's just that now the authorities want to play for time, they think that winter will come, and the protests will end. In general, I am amazed at the moral insensitivity and violence of the current government, just inhuman attitude towards their people. Belarusians are simply not respected.

- Aliaksandr Lukashenka wanted to show that he was ready for a dialogue by meeting with political prisoners in the KGB pre-trial detention center.

- Listen, that act is a real insanity. No one conducts negotiations with prisoners, or at least not in a pre-trial detention center. Why was it impossible to organize that meeting out of prison, in some neutral territory? I just don't understand why Lukashenka did this. Maybe he has some kind of image-makers who advise to do this, to make such moves? I do not know. In general, it seems to me that he is being dissed. By his own cronies. What did you think? They are definitely dissing him, they can betray.

- However, recalling the recent meeting of Natallia Kachanava with the students of the Belarusian State University, it seems that she is entirely for Lukashenka, and will stand for him to the end.

- Of course, she will be completely on the side of Lukashenka. But tell me, who is she, this Kachanava? Where did she come from, who brought her to Minsk, to power? She was in Navapolatsk, in charge of housing and communal services. How is it that she eventually came to power? Mrs. Kachanava is an incomprehensible element.

Naturally, I read what she said to the students. She knows, understands everything perfectly well, but says precisely what the current government needs her to say. The same story is with the coronavirus. The real situation is horrifying, but who will tell us the truth? We are only told that we should not read the Internet, Telegram channels, because there are fakes. In my opinion, the current government is a fake.

- Why is Lukashenka so holding on to power?

- And he simply has no other choice. Do you think he can go abroad after everything he has done? Where, tell me? What is he going to do in Russia with his money? To make a revolution from afar? And, frankly, no one will just let him leave Belarus. Not everything is as simple as he might think.

- How long do you think Lukashenka will hold on to power?

- To death. The fact that one day he himself will leave power is all fairy tales. It's ridiculous! As ridiculous as the authorities proposing some changes to the Constitution. In my opinion, this is the purest scam. The authorities want to soft-talk Belarusians, somehow distract from the main tasks and issues. But I will say that this document already contains all the basics and all the rules, which, unfortunately, are not being implemented today. Back in 2004, I said that our Constitution was simply raped. Currently, it continues to be mercilessly raped. What for?

You see, everything is well and competently written in the Constitution. And even with regard to the terms of the presidency and their limitations is not such a big problem. Much more important is the ability to hold fair elections. Look, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been in office for how long? And who said she had too many terms? Not in this case. The main thing is to hold elections so that they exist as such. And in Belarus there are simply no elections as such. This is the main problem.

- In the KGB jail, Lukashenka said that this is his last presidential term. Do you believe in these words?

- And who believes him? I wonder where Lukashenka will go next? A certain chain of events took place in Belarus, which does not provide guarantees for Lukashenka that after the trial (and it will definitely take place) he will remain unpunished. And Lukashenka understands this. Those who beat people in the streets today also understand this. Riot policemen, special policemen think that they will just get away with it - not. Everyone will answer. Some to God, some to a judge.

- So you think that security officials do not understand this, since they continue to commit brutality?

- Ask what their salary is now. I think these people are primarily driven by money and the belief that they are acting according to the law.

- There are examples when security officials leave the service and do not want to obey criminal orders.

- There was such a security officer - Yury Zakharanka. Where is he now? Do you think it will be different with the current ones? No.

***

- How do you look from the outside at all the events that are happening today with Belarusian athletes?

- They were always half powerful and half shit. Now, it turns out that our hockey and football are almost completely made of shit. I am amazed by the silence of the acting tennis players. What are they afraid of? They have a lot of money, they earn it abroad, they sit there. Why should they be afraid? I do not know.

- Those athletes who openly express their position lose their jobs and find themselves outside the national team.

- Explain to me, please, who needs athletes now, in the current situation in Belarus and the world? Do you think someone will go to the Tokyo Olympics? I'm not at all sure that it will take place, and is it needed? All countries are closed, it is impossible to train.

- Our athletes, who have come under the pressure of the authorities, are ready to perform even under the IOC flag.

- And this is right. If in 1984, when the USSR national team boycotted the Olympics, I was allowed to compete under the IOC flag, or if I myself guessed to do so, I would gladly go to the USA. I would even go on foot.

- What do you think about the letter of the Sports Solidarity Fund to the International Olympic Committee?

- I think this story will end with one thing - the IOC will deprive Belarus of the opportunity to compete in the Olympic cycle under the country's flag. In my opinion, this is the most realistic development of events. In addition, everyone can see that the pressure on athletes in our country is completely disproportionate to their position. But here, it turns out, the owner is a master, one person decides everything. So, I repeat, they will most likely deprive Belarus of the opportunity to participate anywhere.

As for the athletes who expressed their civil position, I am afraid that in Belarus they will be deprived of any financial assistance at all. And then they will go to the Olympics under the IOC flag and at the expense of the IOC.

- Why haven't you signed the athletes' open letter yet?

- Nobody addressed me. And I don't see the point, to be honest, in such a step. In 2004, together with other deputies of the Respublika group, I went on a hunger strike against Lukashenka's third term. And what is the result? They took everything from me, left me with nothing, I was out of work for six years. Does anyone remember this? You see, I signed such a letter in blood 20 times already, and I was the first to do it.

Just the number of the day. 1,000 athletes signed the open letter for fair elections and against violence.

By the way, here is another moment. One of the initiators of the movement of athletes is our “goldfish” Aliaksandra Herasimenia. She's a great, strong girl. But where is she now? In Lithuania. And I am in Belarus, sitting in the village and looking at my garden without leaves, lighting the stove.

- Herasimenia said that if she stayed in Belarus, she would most likely be jailed. Therefore, for safety reasons, she went abroad.

- So I also understood, when I was starving, when I stood with a poster at the KGB, that they would not let me live a normal life here, that they would take away everything, to the skin. And Herasimenia probably understood this. Anyway, everyone who got involved in this policy should realize: they will take everything away. Rather, one person will seize everything. And you need to be prepared for being jailed. Our fight is not on an equal footing. Give me a machine gun - I will go to fight the authorities too. But nobody gives it to me. On the contrary, people are beaten with clubs, like some fascists. Although, in comparison with the current authorities and security forces, it seems to me that the fascists can be called kind people.

And remember the stories about how people are held in the Akrestsin Street detention center. Our basketball player Yelena Leuchanka was held there for 15 days. I have one word: this is savagery. Someone said correctly: “Until the end of my life I will not shake hands with any policeman.” I agree with that.

- Why do you think the rowers are now silent and do not comment on the events in Belarus?

- You would better ask this question to them. Vital Hurkou put it right: “We have two rowers: Get-the F**ck-Rowing and I’m-the F**ck-Rowing”. I am not in contact with them, with these rowers, so I cannot say why these athletes are silent.

***

- In 2013, you said that you support the white-red-white flag, it should hang in Lukashenka’s office.

- And since then my position has not changed. All the more, remember how the referendum was held in 1995. It was constitutional, but it turned out that everything was done at the same time, both the flag and the coat of arms were “murdered”.

- What do you think about the current attempts of the authorities to fight against white-red-white symbols?

- I wear white-red-white underpants. What, should I take them off and tear them apart? Well, in fact, people will wear underwear of these colors, and so what, will they be undressed and shot on the streets? It's just funny what the authorities are doing.

- How soon will the situation in Belarus end, and what will be the final outcome?

- I am sure that you need to talk with people, go into dialogue. You can't call people names. The authorities need to come to the people and ask for forgiveness for all the actions that are taking place in Belarus.

- Can you imagine this?

- Sure. The authorities are obliged to do so. Lukashenka and all officials will still have to ask the people for forgiveness.

By the way, the authorities are now declaring that they are fighting for the country's independence, defending it. Poland doesn't give a damn about us - it has its own problems. The same situation is with Lithuania and Latvia. Who cares about Belarus and its independence? And the second thing. Independence is when we do not ask for help from other states in terms of economy, finance, when the people in the country receive a decent salary. And what kind of independence do we have? We are dependent everywhere. In politics, in economics, in finance. And who needs such a country?

For example, I need the Belarus where people live normally. And those who express a different position are not beaten to death, but respected.

***

- What are you doing now?

- I’m digging the ground, preparing to buy chickens, goats and a cow next year. Not a farm, just love home-made milk :)

- Have you ever thought of leaving the country?

- If I wanted to, in due time I would have stayed in Russia or Poland, but I don’t think that someone needs me there more than here. In addition, Belarus is my Motherland, my children are here. I will stay here, in the village I feel good. The coronavirus will pass, the fascism that reigns in the country will also pass. And, definitely, we will live in a free country, where the laws and the Constitution will be implemented. We have it, I repeat, good, competent, it just needs to be observed. And it is not necessary to limit the presidency terms. You can endlessly lead a country if your people really live the best in the world. And I will call a president the person who can calmly go out into the street with one guard, talk to people in a cafe. And the one who surrounded himself with a million guards, is it a president? No. And if he conducts a secret inauguration, it means that something is wrong with his soul. The people, a person must be treated like a human being. And our government does not know how to do that.

Photo: mlyn.by, tut.by