There is no cause for fussing as for the negotiations with Lukashenko

Indeed, Andrei Sannikov, Mikola Statkevich, Ales Bialiatski and other victims of political repressions are to be present at the bargaining table on behalf of the united opposition and civil society. But they are to be present only as free citizens of their country.Indeed, Andrei Sannikov, Mikola Statkevich, Ales Bialiatski and other victims of political repressions are to be present at the bargaining table on behalf of the united opposition and civil society. But they are to be present only as free citizens of their country. 

President Alexander Lukashenko, speaking on August, the 29^th at a meeting of the pedagogical union activists of the country, has made a thematic digression intended for everybody but educators.

"Our strength lies in unity, and the future of Belarus is not to be solved on squares and barricades, but through a dialogue, a normal conversation between people," - said Lukashenko, while effectively repeating  the appeals of his political opponents of many years already.

"As head of state I propose all reasonable people who love their country, whatever political camp they belong to, to sit at a table (at a round or square one), to look each other in the eye and really assess our abilities and what is there to be done to effectively improve the situation in the country rather than stomping and shouting on the squares”, said Alexander Lukashenko. He also proposed that the European Union, Russia and other European and international institutions to send their representatives for participation in this round table. "Let them [the EU and international institutions] see at the same time, who is worth what, what ideas is putting forward and what goals defines. We are completely open and willing to give them [the EU and international institutions] such an opportunity”, said Alexander Lukashenko.

Information service of "EUROBELARUS" has asked methodologist Uladzimir Matskevich to comment upon the referred statement:

- Mr. Matskevich, in your opinion, how opportune was the proposal of dialogue from Alexander Lukashenko and should we treat it seriously?

- It would had been opportune in January of this year. However, due to sluggishness, clumsiness and stupidity of the authorities it is only now is voiced that the evidence of need to talk, to broadly discuss controversial issues and to consider all possible points of view. That is the point that there is no alternative to a dialogue, to negotiations, whatever may say people who don’t want the dialogue.

But firstly, we must understand that for the moment there wasn’t made any formal proposal for beginning the dialogue or the round table. This matter has been voiced in the notes or as an optional topic at the meeting. This is not a formal proposal, but a hint of it. Therefore, we should treat it as a non-committal presidential statement. For the start of negotiations a formal proposal should be made.

Secondly, the president has said about the possibility of discussing some controversial issues. But the fact is that all the questions have been already raised, the points of view expressed and the positions marked. Therefore, the proposal for discussion is terribly belated. Today, there is nothing to discuss. There is need to talk and negotiate. We must look for a compromise.

Thirdly, who’s been proposed to participate in the dialogue? The European Union and Russia. What will be the points for negotiations? The EU and Russia have a whole array of problems, which they could discuss. But in this case we are talking about the internal situation in a sovereign country. And this can be talked on and negotiated only by actors within the state. Therefore, the only party for the negotiations with the authorities on adjustment of the situation in the country could be Belarusian civil society and the political opposition. Meanwhile the EU and Russia could be mediators in the negotiations and guarantees for the compromises achieved being implemented.

Fourthly, who can respond to the proposal of negotiations? Nobody received a formal proposal addressed to anyone concrete. So, voiced statements can only be commented, noted or ignored, no more than this. I would propose just to stop fussing about the note referred. As far as we know our President who can sound a variety of versions at any possible matter and then reject all of them, we should understand that nothing serious has happened. Nothing that would require a serious response from the European Union, Russia or the Belarusian opposition and civil society.

- Can there be any negotiations with the Belarusian government while its political opponents are behind bars?

- No. It is impossible to conduct normal negotiations while one of the negotiators has a cold deck. Certainly, on behalf of the united opposition and civil society are to be present at the bargaining table Andrei Sannikov, Mikola Statkevich and Ales Bialiatski. But they are to be present only as free citizens of their country. And today they are not as they have been sentenced or detained in an illegal manner. Therefore, taking into account the only that the major participants of the potential negotiation process are in prisons, we can not treat seriously such proposals. Especially, as it hasn’t been made in an official manner. But if the proposal will be made officially, the cause or signal for the start of negotiations can not be unconditional pardon, but release of political prisoners.

- Can we treat the Lukashenko’s statement as reconnaissance which will be followed by the other steps?

- This is the usual manner of Lukashenko - to probe the situation watching the reaction. Therefore the response of all political actors must be weighed, balanced and proper so as not to give to the authorities causes for further cheating and using cold deck. And we must understand that a dialogue and negotiations are the parts of the same process. But we should not confuse the beginning of discussion and the dialogue with unofficial status of participants and negotiations. It’s impossible to come to general conclusions in a public dialogue. There can be simply discussed some questions and clarified positions. And this kind of dialogue can be started right now. But this is not a negotiating process. To convert the dialogue in negotiations will be possible only after the release of prisoners.

- As for the cheating and using cold deck, in your opinion, will the authorities abandon these methods of play, in particular, while using the official media?

- The authorities will try to do it constantly. The only thing we can oppose to attempts of cheating is our accuracy, clarity of position, political will. And we also must be smarter, more honest, stop letting to deceive ourselves and to be men of principles.  


Information sservice of "EUROBELARUS"