Lukashenko’s rival tries to calm Russia

Date: 02/02/06

Belarus opposition leader Alexander Milinkevich has said that Russia has nothing to fear from democratic change in Belarus.

The leader of the United Democratic Forces of Belarus said that a democratic revolution at the 19 March presidential elections would not be a loss for Moscow.

"We will create better relations with Russia than there are at present," he said, adding that this would be "more pragmatic for both sides".

Acknowledging that Moscow had propped up the current regime, he said President Alexander Lukashenko was responsible for the "myth" that the democratic opposition was anti-Russian," he said.

"I went to Moscow immediately after the congress elected me...we went there to crack the myth that the democratic opposition is by nature anti-Russian."

But he rejected the creation of a state union with Russia, as proposed by Moscow, describing it as based on propaganda and nostalgia. "Even for brothers it is better to live in two separate houses than a dorm," he said.

His comments came after a meeting in Brussels on Monday (30 January) with more than a dozen EU foreign ministers. He appealed for the EU to make a large number of election monitors available for the polls.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe has said it will send 400 monitors.

Milinkevich said sending observers would make the authorities hesitant to repress street protestors.

He also urged EU leaders to ease visa restriction on Belarussians entering the EU and called for the Commission to be flexible in funding Belarussian NGOs.

Belarussian diplomats condemned the EU's decision to host Milinkevich, describing it as interference in the country's election.

The visit had been organised by the Lithuanian government.

Milinkevich acknowledged that he had little chance of winning the elections, but he struck a defiant tone and said things had changed in Belarus regardless of the outcome of the vote.

"If the elections are not conducted in line with the constitution we will go out on the streets. We will protest against the humiliation of the people of Belarus." n See Profile - Page 10

Comments by Belarus' opposition leader Alexander Milinkevich, head of the United Democratic Forces, after a meeting in Brussels on 30 January 2006 with more than a dozen EU Foreign Ministers.

European Commission: DG External Relations: Countries: Belarus http://www.eeas.europa.eu/belarus/index_en.htm

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