BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

22/12/2006

Belarussian opposition needs to unite - opposition leader

Prague, Dec 21 (CTK) - The main problem of the Belarussian opposition is its uniting around a single leader, Viktor Karneyenka, head of the constituent committee of the Belarussian movement For Freedom, said on a visit to Prague today.

"The unity of the opposition democratic forces is not as firm as we expected. The Left Bloc and For Freedom, a movement headed by Alyaksandar Milinkevich, that unites political parties, civic associations and individual activists, have emerged within the united coalition. This mirrors the persisting problems with unification of the opposition," Karenyenka said after a meeting with Czech MPs and Foreign Ministry officials.

He said that Milinkevich has a chance to become the leader uniting the democratic opposition.

Karneyenka, who has arrived in Prague at the invitation of the Czech organisation People in Need, appreciated the help that Czech civic groups and diplomats have provided to the opposition in Belarus.

He also called for extending of mutual communication opportunities, including a simplification of the visa regime.

"We?re seeking a certain system in [Prague?s] approach to Belarus, not only once-off campaigns in reaction to various events," Karneyenka said.

He said that people in Belarus still fear being active in politics. "Fear is an instrument to preserve dictatorship, and the ruling bodies make use of it. People fear taking part in election campaigns. Arrests of opposition leaders continue," he said.

The opposition?s influence in Belarus increased after the elections in March, but it is still difficult for the opposition to address people, Karneyenka said.

There is no independent press in the country, he added.

He said a "coloured revolution" is still hardly probable in Belarus, as Lukashenko evidently enjoys high popularity among a part of the population.

"Lukashenko has tried hard to benefit from the nostalgia for the Soviet Union, mainly among elderly people. He also puts emphasis on a confrontation between the East and the West," Karneyenka said.

He said Lukashenko?s ruling methods are based on intimidation, extortion and psychological pressure.

Lukashenko?s propaganda methods are effective. It is one of his main trump cards. He applies methods dating back to the Cold War. The Kremlin plays an important role in support of Lukashenko?s firm position, Karneyenka said.

"Economic support from Moscow is the basis of the Belarussian ?economic miracle?," he added.

In his opinion, elections alone cannot change the situation in Belarus. "Dictatorship will never disappear by itself...We prepare peaceful protest events," Karneyenka said, adding that the protests can succeed only if supported by many people.

Source:

http://www.praguemonitor.com/ctk/?story_id=w48506i20061222;story=Belarussian-opposition-needs-to-unite---opposition-leader