Ulad Vialichka:Statkevich is a moral victor; but the state believes in full control of the situation

The head of the International Consortium “EuroBelarus” warns against extremes as to the expectations that democratic community has about the immediate results from release of political prisoners.

“For now the main result of the Saturday’s events for democratic part of the Belarusan society was relief”, - emphasized Ulad Vialichka, the head of the International Consortium “EuroBelarus”, in the commentary to the “EuroBelarus” Information Service when talking about the release of the six political prisoners - Mikalai Dziadok, Ihar Alinevich, Mikalai Statkevich, Yauhen Vaskovich, Artsiom Prakapenka, and Yury Rubtsou.

“Of course, all those, who worry about the political prisoners and about this problem as such have learned about this news with great enthusiasm, since humanly, it was very important for us. Likewise the fact that now judicially, Belarus is no longer a country with political prisoners; however, there are questions to the detention of authors of the graffiti in Minsk, - said the Director General of the International Consortium “EuroBelarus”. – And no one can hide all that the authorities have done before. if we consider recent events, we cannot but recollect the story of our colleague Elena Tonkacheva. But for now most brutal precedents of political persecution are taken away. And that cannot but make me glad”.

But according to Ulad Vialichka, “it is disturbing how this news is discussed in the Belarusan Internet”: “some people are trying to present the situation cynically, others – romantically”.

Ulad Vialichka agrees to a number of analysts, who view the release of the political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich and other political prisoners as “the complete control of the situation by the authorities, who don’t worry about it, which means that they can afford themselves to do so”.

But Ulad Vialichka highlights that “we shouldn’t forget about the personal heroism and courage; how people kept their stance, dignity for such a long time; how they refused to sign any petitions to the head of state, and how they were loyal to their beliefs”.

“It is, of course, worse all respect and gratitude. But then uncertainty comes, - says Ulad Vialichka. – I think that now Mikalai Statkevich is to enter into a quite complicated period or restoring orientation in the world, restoring himself, which can take different period of time. Unfortunately, we all remember the experience of former political prisoners, when, for example, Aliaksandr Kazulin or Andrei Sannikau, with all respect to these politicians were unable to continue their political activity. I would very much like for this case not to be the same”.

The Director General of the International Consortium “EuroBelarus” assumes that we “shouldn’t put to much hope to Statkevich in this situation, since he, just as he said himself, is deprived of some real mechanisms of participation in the political struggle now”: “But the fact that he stood up makes him a moral victor in all that. A man sacrificed 5 years of his life; it cannot but command respect”.

“Next will come with time; Statkevich himself and our political opposition will demonstrate that. Though now, unfortunately, we see complete mutual disrespect and other political players in the camp of the Belarusan opposition”, - Ulad Vialichka said.

If we consider Belarus-Europe relations, “Lukashenka is now making a serious step towards unfreezing the dialog”:

“Indeed, it was the issue of political prisoners that was the main obstacle at the way to the renovation of this dialog – at least at the level of 2009. Now this problem is lifted, and the EU has, basically, untied its hands for entering the more active phase of relations with the Belarusan authorities. Though, I think, European politicians will wait for another month or some, at least, until the results of the presidential election are announced. I think that wise politicians will be approaching Belarus very cautiously next month and a half, sending positive signals to Minsk. If public and political situation after the elections won’t change, then an intermediate phase will be launched in relation to Belarus-Europe dialog, i.e. closer relations will be offered – now both the sides need it for different reasons”.

As to the reasons themselves, “we shouldn’t stop at Lukashenka’s figure only – we should remember the situation in our region and understand why Europe needs peaceful Belarus and not too much pro-Russian Belarus”. According to Ulad Vialichka, “the authorities have all opportunities to play the card with Belarus-Europe thaw; however, the development of bilateral relations is now in the interests of the civil society, too”. “Of course, not unconditionally – we hardly equal in our motivation. I think that for Lukashenka it is, first of all, interest of economic investment, opportunities, and balancing at the geopolitical field, while for the Belarusan civil society it is, first of all, turn towards fundamental European values”, - summed up Ulad Vialichka.